Posted on 09/07/2003 4:42:12 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Top Defector Lays Out U.S. Agenda by Kim In-gu (ginko@chosun.com)
“When I go to the United States I will speak about North Korea’s attempts to drive a wedge between South Korea and the U.S., and I will reveal plans for North Korea’s democratization.” The highest-ranking North Korean to ever defect, Hwang Jang-yeop, talked to the Chosun Ilbo on Saturday, about his long-awaited plans to visit the United States. “I have never been to the U.S. so I am going to look at their circumstances and understand."
Asked about the Kim Dae-jung administration's efforts to prevent him accepting invitations to go the United States and meet politicians there, Hwang said, “At the time, the government did not reveal the exact reason. But if my visit was not permitted because I may have upset North Korea, it was wrong. I am opposed to sacrificing democracy to maintain peace, and I am sorry that some young Koreans have fantasies about Kim Jong Il.”
The Washington-based research center working to realize Hwang's U.S. visit, the Defense Forum Foundation, has accepted the Korean government’s request to postpone Hwang’s visit until late October. Hwang will reportedly go to the United States on Oct. 27 and stay a week.
Hwang applied for a U.S. visa at the U.S. Embassy last month, bringing along a copy of the formal invitation that the Defense Forum had sent. The visa is scheduled to be issued Tuesday.
Here's more of the Chosun Ilbo's interview with Hwang:
When are you going to the United States?
The plan is tentative at this moment. I will go when the Defense Forum Foundation invites me.
t are you plans for the visit?
I have three things planned out. First, it is to strengthen the alliance between South Korea and the United States, and to clear up the reasons behind North Korea's intention to break this alliance. Secondly, I wish to explain the general plan of democratizing North Korea without fighting a war. Lastly, I would like to learn about the current condition of the United States.
t do you think about the Kim Dae-jung administration blocking you from visiting the United States?
I believe that the administration feared my visit would upset North Korea. Well, they were wrong. The new administration generally approves my visit to the United States; but they bring up issues of personal danger. I do not criticize the government. I just want it to inform its citizens so that they may understand the truth.
On Sept. 2, Seoul asked the Defense Forum to postpone the invitation. Was there a prior consultation between you and the government?
The National Intelligence Service told me that it would be difficult for me to visit the U.S. this September. It seemed to me to have been based on orders from above. There were no specific reasons as to why, but I think it will be wise for the citizens to figure it out themselves. I will follow what the Defense Forum says. If it wants to postpone the invitation after accepting South Korea's request, I will follow their decision, and if the Defense Forum wants me to come earlier, I will act accordingly.
You moved out from the security house of the National Intelligence Service on Aug. 1, and are now under general protection.
I never voluntarily expressed such motive. However, I felt sorry to be indebted to the NIS after the lawful six-year term was over. Where I am staying is not a big concern. My current lodging is under protection by police officers, and I feel secure. The NIS had been kind to me, but it is true that we had different views on policies about North Korea. I have no antipathy against the NIS for having different opinions, as it is an institution directly under the presidential administration.
How is life outside different?
The police officers do not interfere with my work, as the NIS officers did.
There has been threats imposed on you lately?
I do not fear anyone. There are groups working against me but I do not worry or care about them. Maybe Kim Jong Il's followers are making those threats. But if I feared those people, I couldn't have left my family in the North.
How is your health?
Considering my age, I'm healthy. I never even catch a cold. I eat grapefruit for breakfast, and have light lunches and dinners. I also go out for a walk in the morning.
What books are you reading these days?
Modern novels are no fun to read. I'm still reading the traditional storybooks that I got as a gift when I was in the Korean Embassy in Beijing (right after he took refuge on Feb. 12, 1997). The stories are mostly about filial piety and loyalty. My favorite is "Greedy Fisherman's Wife," which portrays the insatiable human desire for material goods. I've read it several times.
What would you like to say to the Koreans in the South?
I'm a serious sinner who abandoned my loving family and friends back home. Therefore, it is hard for me to see South Korea, a country I trusted in so much, go through bitter trials in the process of developing democracy. The basic goal for reunification is to establish a new democratic Korea. Democracy should hold together this goal and the ways to achieve it, but fundamental principles so far were not clear on that.
I am against reunification by war, but I'm more against sacrificing democracy for a peaceful reunification. Peaceful means are democratic - yet if the opponent uses force, then we must also fight back by using democratic force. I do not agree with the pacifist opinions some people have. Moreover, it's heartbreaking to see the younger generation, who have little background information on the actual sufferings of early Koreans and especially Korean history, have mistaken ideals about Kim Jong Il.
I try to tell the people in South Korea the truth about Kim Jong Il. But I strongly oppose the policy that is trying to hold me back from doing it. It is every citizen's right and freedom to accept or reject what I have to say. But restraining me out of fear that what I say might upset the North is wrong.
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