From today "Chosun Ilbo" Chosun Ilbo (Joo Yong-jung, "TOP DEFECTOR TRYING AGAIN TO VISIT US," Washington, 05/06/03) reported that Hwang Jang-yop, former secretary of the North Korean Workers Party and the highest-ranking official to ever defect from the country, has asked four US senators to help him visit US. Hwang sent letters to politicians such as Henry Hyde (Republican-Illinois, chairman of Committee of International Relations) and Christopher Cox (Republican-California, chairman of the Policy Committee). In the letter sent under two titles - honorary chairman of the North Korean Refugee Association and chairman of the Committee of North Korean Democratization, Hwang wrote that he would like to visit US to exchange opinions with officials there about problems concerning DPRK. "I would very much appreciate if you would assist my visit to the U.S." he said in the letter. Hwang also sent letters to Secretary of State Colin Powell. The U.S. Defense Forum Foundation, which is actively promoting Hwang's visit, sent him an invitation - then on April 10, Hwang sent a letter to the Korean Embassy in Washington, requesting that necessary procedures for the visit be commenced. ROK government has blocked Hwang from making the trip to US in the past, citing security concerns. ROK government official said Monday that they knew Hwang wanted to go to America by July. "Although we have not yet decided on the final course of action," he said, "there is no reason to block Hwang's visit - so we are looking it over from a positive perspective."
OK, that answers my question as to WHO to work with on doing the videoconference if the Clintonist ROK officials try to block him again from going to the US to tell the truth.
Great for you to try this. I hope that you can motivate these friendly congressmen to go extra miles to get Mr. Hwang into U.S. or set up the video-conferencing you suggested. You apparently have some contacts and resources. I really want you to succeed. There would be many here who wish that he could make his trip to U.S. but have no control over steering his fate.
Let me know how this thing will progress if you can. I also like to hear about your reports after your visit to JSA and the meeting of Japanese officials.:)