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I "Visit" N. Korea Tomorrow (For 3-4 Minutes at Panmunjom) Report to Follow Later [AmericanInTokyo]
AmericanInTokyo ^ | 29 November 2002 | AmericanInTokyo

Posted on 11/29/2002 5:42:34 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo

AmericanInTokyo here with a quick heads up.

I am currently in the Republic of South Korea. Tomorrow (and having done this a number of times, but not for the last few years) I will 'technically enter' the so-called "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" very briefly at the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone between South and communist North Korea.

I am sure a number of Freepers have also done this while in the ROK.

Part of the briefing by the US military to our group will include a short visit to the military demarcation conference room. No doubt the stern, moon-faced, goose-stepping guards from the Korean People's Army (KPA) will come down to the window tomorrow afternoon to peer in at us briefly. I doubt if they are in a smiling mood this time.

A short walk around the table in the middle of the room takes one into Communist North Korea.

I hope to have a more detailed report here particularly due to the latest tensions in Korea over North Korean nuclear and other WMD, the kidnapping of Japanese citizens, the Korean presidential election pitting an appeaser on North Korea against a hardliner, and many more issues.

What's always a 'kick' is to have to sign over the waiver absolving the United Nations Command of any liability in the event any hostilities erupt in this zone of war. I'll certainly refrain from letting my opinion of the DPRK be known to the guards from their side who will be staring us imperialist aggressors down Saturday.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Announcements; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government
KEYWORDS: dmz; freeperscenereport; jsa; northkorea; panmunjom
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1 posted on 11/29/2002 5:42:34 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo
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To: AmericanInTokyo
this zone of war

Dude, is it safe to assume you will be packing during your visit?

2 posted on 11/29/2002 6:00:31 AM PST by DoctorHydrocal
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To: DoctorHydrocal
The guys 'in front of them all' will be doing the 'packing'. Enough 'packing' for all of us, as a matter of fact.
3 posted on 11/29/2002 6:03:27 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo
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To: DoctorHydrocal

ROK soldiers looking north from the south side of the joint demarcation line. The Yank chaps there, too, are no nonsense when it comes to dealing with Kim Jong-il's goon squads (seen stoicly in the foreground).

4 posted on 11/29/2002 6:06:53 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo
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To: AmericanInTokyo
Let us know what you see regarding the 2 GIs aquitted in the negligent homicide case too.
5 posted on 11/29/2002 6:08:57 AM PST by GATOR NAVY
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To: AmericanInTokyo
Keep smiling at these guys...It'll drive 'em nuts...
6 posted on 11/29/2002 6:10:35 AM PST by Iscool
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To: GATOR NAVY
Yep. Almost forgot about that one. Interesting time to be here.
7 posted on 11/29/2002 6:11:38 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo
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To: Iscool
They always request no smiling from the 'good guy side'. They also say 'no running shoes or beat up jeans allowed.'

I like the way the military and KTB briefers allude to guests 'not giving the middle finger to the North Korean guards' without actually putting it in those succinct words for the benefit of mixed company. For once, one would be tempted to actually do such a thing, but those peckerwoods standing across the line could actually go berserk over it. Best just to leave sleeping North Korean dogs lie tomorrow.... ;-)

8 posted on 11/29/2002 6:14:23 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo
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To: Iscool
Kinda like when George C. Scott in “Patton” smiled at the Russian general and called him an SOB. HA!
9 posted on 11/29/2002 6:17:56 AM PST by johnny7
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To: AmericanInTokyo
I like the way the military and KTB briefers allude to guests 'not giving the middle finger to the North Korean guards'

One could do it when picking the nose.

10 posted on 11/29/2002 6:40:54 AM PST by Semper Paratus
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To: AmericanInTokyo
Of course, you're aware of how those guys learned what the middle finger meant. During the captivity of the crew of USS Pueblo, they took a propaganda photo of them to prove they were well treated, etc.

All the guys in the photo were smiling and discreetly flipping the bird.

Severe beatings for everyone...

11 posted on 11/29/2002 7:23:10 AM PST by OKSooner
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To: AmericanInTokyo
Why are you going to be there if you don't mind me asking? Also, why no running shoes or beat up jeans?
12 posted on 11/29/2002 7:32:55 AM PST by ItisaReligionofPeace
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To: AmericanInTokyo
As an army journalist in Korea (73-76) I had many occasions to visit Panmunjom. I remember when they had the disagreement over the height of the flags on the table. Each side kept adding tiers until the flags reached the ceiling, it was quite funny to watch the negotiations. One time the North Koreans threw snakes on our bus. I also had a chance to walk halfway on the bridge of no return. I also found the North Korean soldiers interesting as they always seemed to be angry at me since I was taller than them (I am female) and they kept taking pictures of me. I guess they thought I was a spy even though I was in uniform. Anyway I have pictures of my time there and have some great memories. I hope you have an great and safe time.
13 posted on 11/29/2002 7:49:40 AM PST by jonsie
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To: AmericanInTokyo
Good luck and yes, smile constantly, and can't wait for the report.
14 posted on 11/29/2002 7:49:58 AM PST by b4its2late
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To: AmericanInTokyo
Take a shirt with the banner: What Would Jesus Do?

LOL!
15 posted on 11/29/2002 7:52:27 AM PST by lavaroise
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To: OKSooner
yes.. the Hawaiian good luck gesture... I remember they were REALLY TICKED when they found out what it meant...
16 posted on 11/29/2002 7:59:19 AM PST by Mr. K
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To: AmericanInTokyo
Close friends were there a couple of weeks ago. They were quite amused at the bulldog stance of the N.K. guards.
17 posted on 11/29/2002 8:11:11 AM PST by Amelia
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To: ItisaReligionofPeace
I have heard two explanations about the running shoes, and one about beat up or disheveled trousers.

a) re: shoes, it is said by the USFK briefers, always, that the North would take photos and then have propaganda photos in their press that US visitors are so poor they cannot even affort hard soled shoes. b) second explanation on the shoes: the South does not want anyone making a mad dash for it across that line into North Korea from the South, as foolish as it would be, although that has indeed happened on the DMZ. I personally find a) a bit hard to believe nowadays, since nearly all North Koreans are starving; if they saw footage of Americans they would be jealous, not pitying.

c) regarding the jeans, the explanation again is that propaganda by the north says that Americans and other westerners cannot afford normal clothing.

They, the UN Command which governs the area, are strict about pointing and flipping the bird as it can cause an international incidence.

The surreptitious approach floated here early in this thread of giving the North Korean KPA a good old USS Pueblo salute whilst extracting nasal material, sounds plausible. :-)

18 posted on 11/29/2002 4:28:23 PM PST by AmericanInTokyo
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To: Amelia
Here is the latest 'mood' they are in as I head up there in the next few hours. From today's North Korea Press Agency, KCNA:

" Verdict of "not guilty" given to GI murderers flailed Pyongyang, November 28 (KCNA) -- Rallies of teachers and students were held at Kim Chaek University of Technology and Kum Song Middle School No. 1 on November 27 to denounce the U.S. military court for declaring not guilty the GIs who killed schoolgirls in South Korea. At the rallies speakers dismissed the U.S. Forces' arrogant action as an unpardonable insult to the Korean nation and bitterly condemned the GI killers on behalf of all teachers and students. They said: The GIs killed the schoolgirls in cold blood in broad daylight, but the U.S. military court declared them not guilty. This proves that the U.S. is the den of murderers and an empire of evil. Yet, these man-killers and chieftains of aggression are pulling up the DPRK after singling it out as part of an "axis of evil" and under the pretext of the nuclear issue. This is a brigandish act that can be committed only by the U.S. imperialists, the world's worst hooligans. They called on the youth and students aspiring after patriotism and justice to dynamically fight as the vanguard to drive the U.S. imperialists out of South Korea at an early date. ---30 November 2002 PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "

19 posted on 11/29/2002 4:34:48 PM PST by AmericanInTokyo
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To: AmericanInTokyo
My favorite AmericanInTokyo quote:

"Sayonara, dog-eaters" (DPRK spy ship sinks, killing all 17 agents/infiltrators, after bullseye hit by Japan)

From: PHOTOS OF NORTH KOREAN SPIES' MACHINEGUN ATTACK ON JAPANESE SHIP

The photos are working anymore though!

20 posted on 11/29/2002 4:41:41 PM PST by Incorrigible
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