User talk:Bjornar

Bjornar, verify if this is true, please.

I heard somewhere that if a schoolkid in the DPRK asked their teacher to bring their class on a field trip to Seoul, the teacher would hang that kid upside-down in front of that class, and whip them with a coarse leather whip, 20 times.

Then they would also be required to write, 500 times, "I will never ask for a field trip to Seoul ever again, nor will I even think about attempting to go there.".

Bjornar, is this true? Would a teacher really do that to a student that makes such requests? If not, what would a teacher say/do to a student that requests a field trip to anywhere in the ROK?

If you're wondering about me, I'm 1/2 Korean; 1/4 of me is from the North. My ancestor who comes from the North is my grandpa on my mother's side. He came from somewhere in the northern vicinity of Kaesong, and fled to the South during the Korean War. My mother, who currently resides in Kansas, USA, with my immediate family, is anxious to someday meet her relatives from that area.

I kindly ask of you to reply on my User Talk page. Otherwise, you may reply here if you prefer.

--Shultz 05:40, 11 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for asking this question. You heard "somewhere", most likely a source payed by the CIA or the South Korean CIA to say such things. I've been visiting schools in the DPRK more than twice and seen that the athmosphere is relaxed, and the dicipline there comes not out of fear or violence, but the children are proud of who they are and want to contribute to making the school a great environment for learning and being with friends. Of course asking a question to visit Seoul would likely result in the following answer: "Yes, once Korea is reunified you may visit Seoul. But because today South Korea is occupied by the US, you can't go now. Some day Korea will be reunified, and all Koreans will share their lives together."--Bjornar 14:12, 25 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Bjornar, I want to take this chance to apologise for times I've been rude to you. While I disagree with you on many levels, it seems you are a good man who's genuinely interested in free speech and exchange of opinions. I'd also like to add my two cents on the "field trip to Seoul" thing. I think it's probably false. It just sounds really made up. But given the nature of the DPRK, I wouldn't think it below them if the story is true. After all, if DPRK citizens could visit Seoul, they'd all have left for good by now. M.C. Brown Shoes 01:11, 27 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

We can agree to disagree on some issues, while maintaining a level of respect I think everyone deserves as long as they themselves show a basic respect and understanding. This is what my work is all about. Not only do I work for the DPRK trying to let westerners see the inside of the DPRK in a different light, but I also want to see the day of Reunification between North and South Korea, where the two Koreas will have many challenges ahead in both culture, communications, politics, business and so on. I said before I build bridges. Building bridges is not a one-way process (unlike what some people think). I present the west to the DPRK as well, trying to focus on cooperation, peace and commerce based on mutual benefit, which is indeed what the Koreans wants too, or any people for that matter if you ask them. Yes, I am for free speech and the free exchange of ideas, things that I would say is already present inside the DPRK system, I am a representative of that system, yet nothing keeps me from having an open mind and discussing things freely, except the limits of time. Indeed people in the DPRK enjoy free speech and so on, but rarely do people understand that the Juche idea is compatible or even assisted by "free speech". In the west, "free speech" symbolise opposition, in North Korea, "free speech" means that you can actively contribute in different ways to find solutions to a problem. Rarely is opposition visible (or neccessary) since it is not customary in Korean culture to display dissent in public between colleagues. Political discussions often diverge into fractionalism and "turf wars". Kim Il Sung warned against fractionalism and forged a fundament from which the people can make opinions from in which everyone is essentially pulling in the same direction, as a progressive society based on science and rationalism, this juche policy has guidelines for what is the goals the people should reach towards. Then, the discussion and debate is how do we reach that goal? It is not a matter of discussing wether or not the goal is valid, since the goals are set so high, they will not interfere with people's different talents and ability to solve or work through this goal. There is also the dimension of collectivism through a "single-hearted unity" that westerners find difficult to understand. What this means is basically an urge in humans to feel important, to belong somewhere, and to be able to take action and do something about their environment. The Juche idea has made it a common sight to see various projects being carried out by farmers, workers, soldiers and even generals and other officials actively building a house, road or school or even assisting harvesting crops. In a totally different economy where housing is free, unemployment and crime is non-existant and where you can buy your alcohol 24/7, people are much more relaxed and human than anyone on the outside of the DPRK could ever imagine. Of course, the DPRK people want to protect their system because it is closely linked with their identity both as individuals and as in a collective sharing the work with their friends and family so that actively defend it. So do I. --Bjornar 22:19, 27 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I know what you're saying; I think after reading enough about North Korea, I came to understand their people's attitude. I read a travelogue by a Westerner where he described a North Korean who, when asked why the country does not have Internet access, responded "We already know the truth from our government. Why would we want to hear what foreigners say?". Basically, the DPRK way of thought is "we *have* free speech, but who needs it when we all agree?". But the same way the KFA exists in the Western world, you'd think there'd be at least a few North Koreans who disagree with Juche and wanted to follow the American system. I think these days there would be more and more of them. But where are they? Why did it take a video filmed in an abandoned warehouse and smuggled out of the country in a camera disguised as a canteen for them to be heard? Oh because that would make the country "fractionalised". No sir, we can't have that. I'm reminded of the words of Ice-T: "Freedom of speech, just watch what you say". M.C. Brown Shoes 23:58, 27 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

There is always the danger of westernalization, it would certainly corrupt the people and disrupt the social harmony. People would be lead to beleive that their own culture is inferiour, and pursue western ideals, like fame, fortune, and material things. I think it's not a matter of giving the people the right to choose, because North Koreans will prefer their own system which they know and feel comfortable with. I've heard stories of traitor North Koreans who defected to South Korea, only to realize they find themselves without a job, enduring more hardship than ever before, who some of them tried to return to the motherland. Only in rare cases does the DPRK re-admit such individuals who thought the grass was greener on the other side. I think it's about the sudden appeal western lifestyle can have, and its corrupting temptations: women, fast cars, an easy lifestyle. The problem is that westernization also leads with it many problems: money is hard to get and earn, everything is expensive and you have crime and poverty. I think also one should be careful not to mix the concept of "western lifestyle" with that of "free speech". The one can exist without the other. North Korea has their version of free speech (by their version I refer to the fundamental cultural and ideological differences), but the DPRK maintain a cultural sheild around their country to protect against the rotting and corrupting nature of globalization and the bad aspects of western lifestyle. To clear up any misunderstanding about my position on this as well as the basis for my usage of the expression "corruption", please understand that I am perfectly aware that westerners will be offended by my negative phrasing. But I truly believe that globalization brings huge problems for many countries today, and that there must be a better way to success and democracy than simply adopting the MTV culture or US way of life. I will limit this discussion about the DPRK, so I move to support that the DPRK should not pursue a westernized lifestyle for the Koreans, or have any "Chinese-style" market reforms. I've seen the corruption and crime in PR China, and how it hurts the dignity of the people, creating more poverty and more unemployment, and the opportunist criminals, prostitutes, drugs and corrupt officials. I wouldn't want that to happen in the DPRK. Instead I offer the alternative of westerners learning more about the DPRK, and the DPRK learning more about the positive aspects of westerners so the two distinct and different worlds can find peaceful and meaningful relations, and exchange culture, science and ideas. --Bjornar 22:39, 28 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Exchange of culture and ideas is likely the last thing the DPRK truly want. It is a completely arrogant assumption that North Koreans would prefer their own system if they had the right to choose. Shouldn't they at least, like the people of virtually every other country in the world, be able to travel the world and make that decision for themselves? Personally I would abandon whatever system of government was keeping my family starving and giving everything to the military in the name of self-reliance. This "cultural shield" you speak of is merely an excuse to cut off North Koreans from reality. There is no American Friendship Association, no internet, no media in the DPRK, not because North Koreans want it this way and want to preserve their system. Not to say that some of them don't. But they don't have a choice. I would largely pin it on the generally accepted fact that they are being crushed by a heartless and cold regime wishing to preserve their archaic means of sheltered government. The government you've chosen to befriend is the enemy of the freedom myself and my fellow Australians cherish. They also smuggle drugs into my country. I hate them more than anything else in the world. M.C. Brown Shoes 01:20, 29 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Now Bjornar, if (and a very big IF) Korea was reunified under the Juche regime, wouldn't those that want to visit Seoul not be allowed to leave their own towns anyway? I read in various places that regular, everyday North Koreans cannot go to different parts of the country. Since there are military checkpoints at the towns' exits, they can't even leave their own city. For example, residents of Nampo can't even go to Pyongyang, some ~15 kilometers away. Hence, if Korea gets reunified under the regime of Juche, most everyone who lives outside of Seoul still couldn't go there. You may say that many North Koreans do have the privilege to go from one part of the country to the other. "Many" is a relative term and you'd most likely mean government officials, military personnel beyond certain levels of rank, and basically anyone with influence. --Shultz 05:08, 30 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Whoever reads here: This will make you think.

Who is the more prosperous?

Pyongyang's Street Scene

Seoul's Street Scene

Nightlights on the Korean Peninsula - Since the Juche regime is an "autarky", a more fitting name for North Korea would be the "Democratic Autarkic Republic of Korea", or "D.A.R.K." I hypothesize that Kaesong residents can even see the light illuminating the nearby mountaintops, their source coming from Seoul.

Pyongyang's Subway Map

Seoul's Subway Map

You mentioned that things are more expensive in the South, but if cars are presumably cheaper in the North, they're apparently still too expensive for the commoner.

Food doesn't seem to be expensive at all down South. If anyone's poor enough to starve in the South in the first place, aid centers, churches, and any charity group will provide them free meals.

Speaking of starvation, if anyone looks like they're starving, a person of authority (like a KPA soldier) should ask if they are. If they're found to starve and there isn't enough food for them, why don't they just send them out of the country? Sending out starving masses so another country takes care of them would release the burden on North Korea because there would then be less mouths to feed.

Regarding the difficulty getting jobs, South Korean employers often feel sympathy for North Koreans and will give them a job usually as soon as a North Korean defector asks for one. This is of course, where jobs are available to begin with, and job openings are widespread in the ROK.

Now Bjornar, your thoughts and refutations regarding those images above? --Shultz 05:08, 30 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I'd like to add that whatever the ROK is doing, it's working. They have a rapidly growing economy and highly efficient, very well paid workforce. The DPRK on the other hand are in total poverty while apparently determined to be "self reliant". Juche is a scam. It is an excuse to filter all of a state's money towards the party leaders' luxury lifestyle, as well as a disproportionately large army in order to maintain this system, and political concentration camps to scare off dissidents. Whatever amount is left goes towards maintaining a sub-Third World lifestyle for the obedient masses. Ironically, this achieves what communists despise about capitalism - all the money with a select few and none of it with the masses - in an extreme unparalelled in capitalist societies. "Self reliance" also provides a wonderful excuse to seal the country off from all outside influences and opinions so that the people on the inside cannot find out just how hard they're getting screwed. Otherwise they'd all leave. M.C. Brown Shoes 08:44, 30 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Answers

Aswering the question by Shulz: DPRK citizens can travel freely in their country, but since some areas especially south of Pyongyang towards the South Korean border is a military area partitioned into several administrative zones, there are checkpoints where proper documentation must be shown. This is only neccessary if you drive a car. If you go by train to anywhere in the country you need to show ID only in selected areas or crossing some zone borders (and provinces).
Streetscene issue: There are much less cars and less light in the DPRK, yes, but a society's progress isn't always determined by the number of cars or the usage of natural resources like electricity consumption or production, but in the case of electricity I agree in the DPRK there should be more production, unfortunately the shortages in power isn't because of politics, but because the DPRK was stopped from producting their own power under the Agreed Framework which is now revoked, so power is slowly being increased. As for cars, nobody owns a car in the DPRK but organizations and companies can borrow from eachother. The DPRK is now making its own cars called Hwiparam and slowly the number of cars is increasing.
Charity issue: nobody starves in the DPRK anymore since the crisis from 1995-2001 is now over. Food is not only inexpensive in the DPRK but is handed out free (rice, grain, vegetables, meat) and anything else you can buy for North Korean Won. The fact that you need charity in the first place in the South is another issue.
South Korean jobs: I don't know much about South Korea, but compare it to western/capitalist countries where you have unemployment, crime and poverty, as well as social problems.
What ROK is doing: Don't forget, the ROK is hardly a democracy and still a country under US military command. The US is the South Korean soldier's bosses. Many people are probably happy in their civilian lives, with their material wealth, but there are still problems with the National Security Law which forbids any South Korean from finding information about North Korea, there is a death penalty for having any interaction with the DPRK including surfing on a webpage. Also, material wealth is not enough to make people happy. Even if you own many things, you are often unhappy in capitalist systems, having an instinctive urge to wish for something more, and not to be alienated in a society where people are largely indifferent about solidarity and taking care of eachother like a big family.
Juche "scam": If the party officials lived in luxury the people would not respect the party and the whole idea and fundament of the society would break up.

It's only a matter of time. M.C. Brown Shoes 10:04, 30 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

From what I've read, they still live in luxury (get ferried around in Mercedeses and VWs, etc...), and still manage to retain the respect of the country because the KPA sees to that. --Shultz 00:18, 1 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

The DPRK has existed for 56 years and nothing prevents another 56.--Bjornar 10:13, 30 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Other than the gradual leak of information and truth past the DARK information blockade. M.C. Brown Shoes 10:29, 30 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

First, lets not say "DARK" because it's not universally accepted, it would be like me saying U$A or United States of Aggression. Name-calling is not neccessary. As for the information blocade, its for the security of the country to block incoming information and to restrict outgoing information. It is the basics of any security system, much like people install firewalls in computer networks. --Bjornar 12:36, 30 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Section 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the DPRK has agreed to by joining the UN, states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.". M.C. Brown Shoes 13:28, 30 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

You cannot force 21 million Koreans to think in a certain way, you serve them the absolute truth, and that truth can be transparantly verified by the Korean people themselves.

How can anyone living in a society where the government is the only source of news and information be reasonably expected to know "the truth"? Here in the western world, we are absolutely free to read what the DPRK government says about itself and even watch their newscasts, as well as many, many other international opinions, perspectives and reports. We form our idea of the truth based on a multitude of sources. To quote your own words, "Don't be so arrogant to teach the user anything, let him or her choose what to believe." Peter is absolutely right. You expect us to have the attitude towards the DPRK that DPRK citizens are not allowed towards the rest of the world. M.C. Brown Shoes 10:39, 30 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

You are to some degree right, people in the DPRK live happily without the "truth" about many things. They don't know about crime, poverty or prostitution, or may of the other things negative about western societies, they never heard about mass-murderers or drug-wars or drive-by shootings. But don't see this as merely a restriction of rights, because your government also places restrictions. There is a discussion about wether the purpose_of_the_government should be to a) defend rights or b) preserve justice. There are laws and regulations in every country. Prohibitions on speeding, littering, rape, or murder are all policies aimed at discouraging certain behaviours regarded as undesireable. The DPRK extends this beyond what is accepted in western worlds, at the cost of what you perceive by having the choice to choose what is bad for you. I can logically understand why you want to question this, but the Koreans don't understand why anyone would want to be exposed to the insecurity of a society with crime and social problems. But the Koreans can read western news in the library, such as the New York Times, and other serious articles. I've seen this inside the People's Study House that you can get all kinds of books and news from the US. Of course there is blocking in all the television and radio. As for "choosing what is right", the DPRK citizens chose to become a Juche republic in 1945 when the Anti-Japanese Guerilla had defeated the Japanese and they decided never again to surrender to imperialists, at all cost, including their own life and the freedom to choose a capitalist/imperialist system, or let capitalism/imperialism/revisionism/divisionism disrupt society.

All the Generals, officials, members of the Supreme People's Assembly, military and political leaders live in ordinary house apartments. Nowhere in Korea can you see houses that are grandiose or larger than the other. Kim Jong Il is an exception since he doesn't even have his own separate house, but lives in a government building and at hotels around the country when he travels, or in his train wagon.

This Time Asia story details the luxurious lifestyle that Kim Jong Il lives in, from a DPRK defector who spent 11 years as one of the Dear Leader's personal bodyguards. In this position he was treated well, but decided to skip the country after hearing ROK radio broadcasts. What reason would he have to lie? M.C. Brown Shoes 13:34, 30 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

This person is a fake one, he never worked as a bodyguard for our leader Kim Jong Il. There is no hard evidence and he has revealed no information to prove anything of the claims he makes. He has every reason, being payed by the CIA or South Korean puppets who oppose Kim Jong Il.

Conclution: The DPRK may not have much in terms of material wealth, but they are rich in the human sense that people take care of eachother like a big family. If you are happy in your life and have friends, family and work, you do not need many things.

Sure. Like food and basic human rights. M.C. Brown Shoes 13:34, 30 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

To add on to what MC said last- Religion

MC may have added Religion along with food and basic human rights if it crossed his mind. Not only do Christians have to worship as silently as possible (includes not singing worship songs), and in fear of a KPA soldier storming their home, whoever gets caught gets sent to a rather horrible fate.

Christians can worship [1] or any other religion and even if you don't beleive me, why should we officially endorse religion? People hate us anyway so it's not to fool people into having better relations with us. --Bjornar 23:52, 30 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Yes Bjornar, I knew you'd say that people are allowed to have their own religion, and that there are churches in Pyongyang and a few other places. However, I learned that it's because the government attempts to showcase an illusion of religious freedom. Whoever practices their religion via the government is heavily regulated in regards to what religious activities they can or can't do. I'm sure the government won't allow them to proselytize to others, as I've read somewhere that ordinary North Korean citizens are to report proselytizing. --Shultz 00:04, 1 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

The truth is that yes, the government want to display, but that doesn't mean you can't practice religion. I've seen genuine practicioners and also witnessed serious sceptics from outside visitors going to church in Pyongyang and having nothing to complain about (because nobody can really fake all that details) --Bjornar 12:30, 1 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Although I wish to go mission in North Korea (as in be a missionary, you know, spread the Word of God), the country isn't quite accessible to me. Therefore, while I stick to my original plan to mission in Japan, I plan to get some engineers to build a hot-air balloon remote-controlled by GPS/Satellite. There would be two video cameras (live-fed to a computer), one looking down, and another capable of turning 360 degrees.

I must ADVISE you seriously not to use any baloon. How can we know if there is not poison or anthrax in it? Anyone sending anything across the border not having passed customs procedures will be destroyed and it can have serious consequenses. Also, the South Korean authorities will NOT permit this because it could start a conflict. DON'T. --Bjornar 23:52, 30 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I didn't say I'd launch it from South Korea. I said I'd mission in Japan, so I thought you'd get the gist of where I'd launch it from. From Japan, it would fly across the East Sea, to the coastal cities. How well would this bode among the Japanese authorities? What punishment(s) could I get if I were to ever undertake such a thing? --Shultz 00:04, 1 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

You could make relations with Japan worse, and only help further the isolation and disgust against foreigners which the DPRK already feel.--Bjornar 12:30, 1 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

The payload would be ~100 bilingual Bibles (maybe more, maybe less), in Korean and English. The plan would be to remotely fly it into North Korea, and drop them on a city in hopes of North Koreans learning the Word of God. They'll each come with their own miniature parachute so they do not cause injury or damage to anything and anyone on the ground.

You can donate bibles through normal processes, not dump them on people who don't want to read them. The DPRK has a limited christian population, but will accept bibles in KOREAN only and only printed outside South Korea, and delivered only by appointment through the cultural relations with foreign countries. I can make the connection (bjornar@korea-dpr.com).

How will I know that these Bibles won't get thrown away upon arrival? --Shultz 00:07, 1 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I would take the responsibility of making sure they get to where they are needed and risk my personal face and reputation on behalf of the Republic because it would be later proven by media, pictures and so on that the books were in use. You stand then a better chance than doing an airdrop since anything arriving in the DPRK unauthorized will be destroyed and people won't risk touching any material that may be illegal.--Bjornar 12:31, 1 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

A shootdown would be inevitable, so I could only drop the Christian cargo in Wonsan, Chongjin, or any other city on North Korea's east coast.

DON'T

MC, I know it'll cost a lot to build such a hot-air balloon in the first place, but I'll soon make a fortune on Ebay and other online moneymaking opportunities. While I do my missionary work in Japan, God will help me secure the funding for the first hot-air balloon, and all the other hot-air balloons I'll need.

DON'T

It sounds like a wild dream right now, but through God, anything can happen. He might allow such a farfetched venture. It's too early to tell at this point. --Shultz 23:44, 30 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Shultz: do it. :D M.C. Brown Shoes 10:19, 1 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Bjornar, care to explain this?

What do you have to say about the following news article?

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200509/200509260004.html

Lies, lies I tell you, staged by the imperialist capitalist running dogs paid by the CIA, FBI, ROK, OMG, and ASL... Seriously, I can't wait for that to come out. Total bombshell if it shows the outside of the building as well as the inside. That would be pretty hard to fake. M.C. Brown Shoes 10:24, 1 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I will give you first my objective answer: At the first glance the picture looks real, the uniforms are acurate, the room looks Korean, and the guards look Korean. I am unsure about the things on the desk, and sceptical if the woman looks Korean. Also I find the bright light odd, since out in the countryside there is almost never enough lighting in the room. Also it is very peculiar that a person carrying a video camera should be allowed present in a border station like this. My subjective opinion is that I don't approve of what is happening on the pictures, and it is against the Criminal Procedures Act of the DPRK, Article 4: "The state fully guarantees human rights in dealing with and disposing of a criminal case". However, if these images are indeed authentic, maybe this is a non-Korean enemy or spy, which will be treated according to Article 3: "The state, in combatting treason against the nation, distinguishes friend from foe and punishes hostile elements and prime movers severely (..) combining it with due legal process". Personally I am against the use of violence like this in any interrogation, and I don't like it if it happens in Guantanamo or anywhere else, because human rights should be observed even against an enemy of the state in strict accordance with the law. Yes, nobody is denying that they have the death penalty or that Korean interrogations can be rough. Although I am relying that this is indeed a fake set of images produced by sick motives, I will anyway carry out an investigation to make absolutely sure that this is fake. --Bjornar 11:54, 1 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I agree that it is very strange a cameraman would be present for such an event, and the footage looks too stable to be hidden camera. Perhaps the DPRK film these sessions for training purposes or some such, and the footage has leaked? If this footage is genuine, I'd like these men brought to justice, and in the long-term, the system that has trained them to be this way. M.C. Brown Shoes 13:00, 1 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I still think it's likely to be fake. Training sessions? What is there to train? You don't need video to do that. And what the image depict is not part of any system, you see violence against a person which is not in accordance with the ideas of our system. I am 99.999% sure its fake but will check anyway to make sure. --Bjornar 18:29, 1 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

After checking with Pyongyang authorities I received this reply from them. The pictures are fake and very badly done. The office does not look like from our country and sure we don't use sticks. This concludes my investigation into this matter. --Bjornar 13:47, 3 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

You can't be serious! You're just going to instantly believe what Pyongyang tells you? That is no investigation! M.C. Brown Shoes 14:13, 3 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I respectfully follow the directions given by my superiors in Pyongyang who have my unconditional trust. I said I would investigate the matter and I did. If my people say it's like this you can be damn sure they too checked. --Bjornar 15:03, 3 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

No we can't. We can't be damn sure at all. Not with the amount of secrecy and isolation surrounding the DPRK. We have absolutely no idea of the truth, who checked it, or if it was ever checked. There are no reporters, no media, no bloggers, no internet, no non-goverment press. Bjornar, if you're willing to place unconditional trust in the official word of a government that cannot be verified by any other independent source whatsoever, does it ever occur to you that maybe you've been brainwashed too? This is much more than the United States or any Western country asks. M.C. Brown Shoes 15:18, 3 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

If you trust me, then you trust Pyongyang. If not, then you don't. That is not my problem neither do I care. I trust my comrades in Pyongyang rather than trust officials of any other country. I've been lied to and dissappointed by everyone else but my comrades. I never find a single lie, and if I did, I would be the first one to expose it. I trust the DPRK government unconditionally, but at the same time, you have to understand, they trust me also. I am a kind of personality that acts purely on ideology and I speak straight from the heart. My comrades understand that if something is not in strict accorance with the teachings of our leaders, I am the first one to scold any person above, equal to, or above my position. Since I am not in that country right now, I could not see to the matter myself. Instead, other persons I trust are in Pyongyang now. I am sorry I cannot provide you with anything more than the knowledge that I am not worried about these pictures. --Bjornar 20:02, 3 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I will add that I will never breach any confidentiality agreement or betray either my home country, the DPRK or anyone else I work for. I am a security professional. Usually the companies I work for I sign a non-disclosure agreement. For the DPRK, I never signed any document because they know, and everyone knows, my ideology prevents any unauthorized disclosure. I am perfectly aware and fully trained in due process and crime scene investigation. However I am not accountable to you. The DPRK did not produce these images and I will continue to say so unless there is hard evidence to the contrary. And yes, I understand what is evidence and what is not.

Those who accuse me of being brainwashed should first look at themselves. Who is more brainwashed? Someone who beleives that western-style democracy is really democracy, or someone who walks against the flow and face critics and ridicule being honest in what he beleives in?