The fact of the matter is North and South Korea are still at war. Providing aid and comfort to the enemy ought to get you a place in front of a firing squad.

Think about this for a moment folks, think seriously about these North Korean’s willingness to have their remaining relatives back in North Korea punished because they were so selfish to escape… now they should be taught English?!?!? Let Korea fix its own education system, and start by teaching the South Korean taxi drivers a bit of English.

–Remort

Without a doubt a few spies ‘defect.’ The key word is ‘few.’ The vast majority of defectors are beaten down and disillusioned; they need all the help they can get, and that includes a few English lessons. Learning something is always good, realizing that you can take a class that isn’t 60 percent propaganda is priceless, to them. And it will show that that Americans aren’t the monsters they’d been told we are.

I encourage those in Korea to help out if you have the free time. I’m not there or I would do it myself. Thanks to those who do.

I am not a big fan of megachurches myself but at least they are stepping up.

If I become aware of other groups (Buddhist, Catholic or otherwise) doing something like this, I would gladly pass the word.

Andy, that Christian organization “Onnuri” you mention is very much a protestant charismatic sect that I have personally found to have little quality, if not merit, as a religious organization. Your news about their role in such is not positive news to me either since it suggests that North Koreans are easier targets for religious hustlers of all stripes.

I can only wonder what the Catholic Church in Korea is doing regarding North Korea but then I would suspect that they are doing things that can not be safely discussed on the internet as well.

Even Kim Jong-il is technically an ROK citizen subject to ROK law, something that migth make him think twice about reunification. If Chun Doo-hwan got a (commuted) death sentance, you can imagine what KJI would get.

no American is gonna face “HIGH TREASON” charges for teaching North Korean defectors (or spies) a little conversational English.

i’ve been considering Andy’s post for most of the day, and the only thing that is giving me pause is how much i feel like devoting myself to this project. it has never once occurred to me that my government would find this action hostile or even worthy of a treason charge. (they have more on their plate … and always will).

and i’m sure North Koreans, once they are able to assimilate more into South Korea society will find a wealth of job opportunities at their disposal. you seem to be forgetting about all the ‘crap’ work that younger South Koreans are too proud to do these days. heavy labor, factory or low wage assembly, and farming come to mind. i’m sure any one of these is a giant step up from the “job market opportunities” in North Korea.

Given that North and South Korea are still at war with one another and that I highly doubt these commie North Koreans have been granted South Korean citizenship, I hope no American would participate in this “English teaching” given the possibility of having to face HIGH TREASON charges.

–Remort

Not to sound cruel, but what sort of job is a North Korean actually qualified to do in South Korea without any formal higher education or proper training? “Gyopo” English teacher in a hagwon or public school system? They’ll fit right in there with their communist co-workers.

Seriously, how about some free beers and American hamburgers in exchange for English lessons for these spies?

–Remort