Posted on 01/31/2018 12:21:11 PM PST by GoldenState_Rose
Donald Trump used the harrowing story of a North Korean defector to highlight the brutality of Kim Jong-un's regime during his State of the Union address on Tuesday night.
Ji Seong-ho, who was among the guests of honour for the president's speech to Congress, was hailed as "an inspiration to us all" and received a standing ovation from the lawmakers.
The president described how Mr Ji was a "starving boy in North Korea" 22 years ago when he tried to steal coal from a train to barter for food. "In the process, he passed out on the train tracks, exhausted from hunger. He woke up as a train ran over his limbs," Mr Ji lost his left leg above the knee and his left hand at the wrist, enduring "amputations without anything to dull the pain".
"His tormentors wanted to know if he had met any Christians. He had - and he resolved to be free," the president said.
In 2006, Mr Ji escaped North Korea via the Tumen River.
"I knew from that point, the next time I go to North Korea will be when reunification finally happens," he said in an interview, recalling the moment he pulled himself out of the water and onto the banks of the Chinese side.
"Seong-ho travelled thousands of miles on crutches across China and Southeast Asia to freedom. Most of his family followed. His father was caught trying to escape, and was tortured to death".
When he arrived in South Korea, the doctors were shocked at his condition.
The 35-year-old now helps rescue other defectors from North Korea.
"Seong-ho's story is a testament to the yearning of every human soul to live in freedom," the president said, as the defector held his old crutches aloft.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
To think how people are up in arms about transgenderism and all that PC jazz, and then to be confronted with a man like this...
” . . . Mr Ji lost his left leg above the knee . . .”
Huh? I think they mean below the knee.
No that bit of it is still there. Only the part above his knee is MIA.
God bless him.
Nope. Above the knee. His first amputation, with no anesthesia was below the knee. That became infected so they amputated more of the leg, this time above the knee. Again w/o anesthesia.
Then, because of infection that attacked the lower site, they performed another amputation -- above the knee...
Great sarc!
Oh my God, the pain must have been excruciating
I know...he had his left hand amputated too. I can’t even begin to imagine going through that!
Nope. Above the knee. His first amputation, with no anesthesia was below the knee. That became infected so they amputated more of the leg, this time above the knee. Again w/o anesthesia.
That’s horrifying! It’s amazing he’s still alive.
Ingrate. Free Medical care and he just runs off. (/s for those who need it)
Indeed!
This type of medicine was not even used during America’s Civil War. Soldiers undergoing amputation were given chloroform. These NORKs are butchers and belong in the savage history of man’s past. I hope our fearless leader, President Trump, puts this diabolical political tourniquet on humanity into the dustbin of history.
BFL - Working on my taxes...ARRRRGH!
...They told me that because I was disabled, I had hurt the dignity of North Korea by going to China to beg....
I’m possible to hurt North Korea’s dignity.
They have none.
A triumph of a human spirit, in the face of real hardship, and real evil.
Thats horrifying! Its amazing hes still alive.
Welcome to the 1860s and our Civil War. The thing that scares me is that the Left wants us to regress to those conditions.
Well said. I will always remember the moment he raised his crutches-just awe inspiring. God bless him.
Look at the beauty, joy, love in those faces. Contrast that with the hand sitters. Anyone surprised that public support is breaking our way?
No, not amazing, typical Dems America hating globalists!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.