North Korea

In the Washington Post on May 20th the article “S. Korea Jettisons Doubt About Sinking” it states that there is overwhelming evidence that North Korea sunk the South Korean warship Cheonan on March 26, 2010. It continues to say that North Korea denied the claims but stated that it would respond to even a minor retaliatory attack with a “Strong physical blow that knows no mercy.” The Washington post adds, “China, which is North Korea’s primary patron and largest trade partner, has been skeptical.” Both China and North Korea are Communist countries with Nuclear Weapons.

I recently heard an interview with Lisa and Laura Ling on the National Public Radio Broadcast “Fresh Air” on March 17th. Most of us remember Laura as the Journalist that was captured in North Korea for 5 months before being rescued by the United States when we agreed to send Bill Clinton. Perhaps fewer of us know of her sister Lisa who made a National Geographic documentary entitled “Inside North Korea” in 2006. The interview was in regards to their new book, “Somewhere Inside: One sister’s captivity in North Korea and the other sister’s fight to bring her home.”

The Documentary and interview were very insightful and give a priceless look into North Korea, which many people call the most secretive place on earth. The poverty and oppressive regime is hard to describe. Cell phones and the internet are outlawed. Generations of citizens know little to nothing about the outside world. Foreigners are not allowed into the country without guides into staged areas. Labor camps are large and common. The ruler is viewed as a son of God or God. It is a dangerous and dark country. North Koreans that attempt to flee are punished along with their families in the worst ways. For those that make it into China their fate is not much better.

We should all pray for wisdom and discernment for the world leaders that must punish North Korea for its act of war on America backed South Korea. We should also be praying for and watching China’s reaction. So far they are hesitant just like they were with declaring Sanctions on Iran.