Image: Defecting North Korean soldier driving a car towards the demilitarized zone
This month, a 24 year-old North Korean soldier escaped from North Korea by the use of a car. He then started to run across the DMZ but was shot multiple times. However, South Korean soldiers were able to rescue the defector and send him to a hospital for treatment.
When doctors checked the body of the wounded soldier, they found that he had parasites and Hepatitis B. Some parasites were measured to be 11 inches long but were easily treatable. These parasites were likely Ascaris roundworms, and the eggs of these parasites are usually found in the soil. However, the eggs are especially frequent in soil with human waste as a cheap fertilizer. Hepatitis B, however, is a more serious problem as it could cause life-threatening cirrhosis if left untreated.
Studies comparing North Korean defectors and other refugees found that the defectors were more likely to be underweight. One study estimated that one in three North Korean children under the age of 5 are malnourished.
Discussion:
As an enemy of North Korea, should America intervene in this situation? If so, what should America do?
Do you think more defectors will appear because of this event?
Sites:
ABC
USA Today
5 comments:
Honestly, although this is a horrible event and it is really sad that North Koreans are so malnourished and treated badly, I'm not exactly sure America should intervene. I feel like if we do, there will be so many repercussions and our intervening might start a huge war with North Korea and its allies. I am just happy that this North Korean was rescued by South Korean soldiers and that he is recovering now. I think that it is great that South Korea does protect any North Korean citizen who does make it across the border and I think that this event will encourage more defectors to run away. Although, North Korea will probably start guarding the border more closely to prevent any further events like this from happening.
Though I believe that at least something should be done to prevent these horrific conditions from being imposed upon the North Korean people, I agree with Julia in that the US should not directly play a “good cop” role in trying to protect the well-being of the North Koreans because that could fuel some flames that have already been lit. A potential course of action could be to have the UN impose some sort of sanction on the nation given that it is a member of the organization. That way, North Korea would not feel as if it’s at a one-on-one standoff with the US. However, the UN would have to be careful in how it approaches this if this is to be the case since this also might prompt the nation to lash out because of the multitude of nations involved in the UN. Like what Julia said, this may initially encourage the influx of defectors to South Korea, but strict border patrol and stronger repercussions may prevent this exodus from the North from actually taking root.
I think that this is a great example of what we should be doing in Korea. US and South Korean troops used their good judgement when they rescued the defector after he crossed the DMZ and they did not respond to North Korean troops firing across the DMZ in an attempt to stop the defector. The way to win in this conflict is to simply refuse to escalate it. I don't think more defections will occur as a result of this event because it is very hard for other North Koreans to hear about it and I'm sure the state will cover it up as much as possible.
I think as an enemy of North Korea there is not much we can do unless we want to get deeply involved in the situation. At the moment it seems as if we are on the sidelines just watching what happens but I don't know if it would be best to intervene. I think that people will see this event as a chance to escape but most people would most likely be too scared to run still.
I believe that Nathan and everyone else are correct in their statements that America should not intervene with North Korea. Though I would like to see the North Korean regime fall and the people living there receive humane treatment, this is not possible with the current political conditions. America is already part of this stalemate with North Korea, and South Korea could be considered a proxy for America. But intervening now with no "major" crisis created by North Korea would be a terrible idea as this would stress relations between China and America. South Korea would also be incredibly vulnerable to North Korean missiles, leading to fears of starting a war.
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