I just wanted to take the time to introduce the LiNK event again. This is an opportunity that you do not want to miss. LiNK: Liberty in North Korea is a not-for-profit organization that is coming to GMU to present and talk about the violation of human rights in North Korea and their mission. On top of LiNK, we have a special guest Peter Chung who is a North Korean defector. The event is hosted by: KSA Cohosted by: APAC, KPL, Kwon Productions, and PDPsi Dress Attire: Business Casual Did you know? North Korea and South Korea are technically still at war because there was no treaty but rather only an armistice, or ceased fire was signed in July 1953. Tension continues to rise amongst the two Koreas. North Korea has 4th largest army, the largest special forces, and the largest submarine fleet in the world. The De-Militarized Zone is heavily guarded by both North and South Korean troops and there are roughly 20 secret tunnels designed by the North Korea for a surprise attack on South Korea; each tunnel large enough to move 2000 troops into the South in under an hour. Until 1972, 19 years after the armistice was signed, North Korea’s official capital was Seoul because they planned to retake the South. Both North and South Korean constitution is designed and careful written to govern over all of Korea. The North Korean economy was larger than South Korea’s until the 1970. Today its gross domestic product is 2.5% the size of South Korea. However, the government spends majority of their money on military expenses and unnecessary luxuries when an estimated 3.5 million people have died due to famine and many more are suffering from malnourishment. Not only is there violation of human rights in North Korea such as Freedom of Religion or Press, but the government dictates even the smallest daily-life decisions. Blue jeans are illegal in North Korea because they are a symbol of American Imperialism. Every North Korean household and business is outfitted with pictures of their “Great Leader” and a government-controlled radio that cannot be turned off only turned down. Music, a concept shared by all cultures, is carefully monitored limiting expressionist genres such as jazz which is heavily influenced by western cultures. There are strange regulations implied by the government such that up until the 1990s, all teachers in North Korea were required to play the accordion and had to pass an accordion test before obtaining teaching certificates. More recently, reports suggest that North Korea’s leader has told his people that there are only 28 acceptable hairstyles. In North Korea, it is not the year 2013, it is 102 because the calendar marks years from the birth of Kim Il-sung, Grandfather of the current leader Kim Jong-un and the first dictator of North Korea. There is constant propaganda that North Korea feeds their people and to the rest of the world. For example, North Korea claims 99% literacy but literacy is defined as the ability to write the name Kim Il-Sung. There are massive drug problems in North Korea with heavy use of meth and marijuana. North Korea is the only country in the world that openly allows the consumption or use of marijuana. As cultural organizations and members of a community who preach diversity and humanitarian service, this event is a great step towards that calling for cultivating humanity. Please come out and you might find out some new things! Thanks!
Posted on: Sun, 29 Sep 2013 22:06:28 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015