Canada and the World
Current Events with a Canadian Perspective
Last update
27 December 2010
Kim Jong-il: Human Rights Abuser
There are lots of monsters in the world – people who come to power and then brutalize their own citizens. One of the worst is North Korea’s Kim Jong-il
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il may be barking mad. Or, he may be clever at deception. As BBC News writes, “analysts are undecided whether his eccentricities mask the cunning mind of a master manipulator or betray an irrational madman.”
Balbina Hwang, was born in South Korea and is now a Senior Policy Analyst at the Asian Studies Center in the U.S. In July 2006, she talked to The San-Francisco Chronicle about Kim: “Do I think the man is immoral? Yes I do. Do I think he’s a despicable human being? Yes. But, that does not make him crazy.” She says he is always able to weigh the pros and cons of a decision and chose the course of action that best favours him.
In February 2009, Kay Seok wrote in The Korea Times (a South Korean newspaper) of “routine public executions or the enslavement of hundreds of thousands of people, including young children, in prison camps.
“There is still no organized political opposition, independent labour union, free media, or civil society. Arbitrary arrests, detention, and lack of due process are the norm.”
Monumental Misrule
Kim has misruled his country to the point that famines are frequent. One of the worst started in the mid-1990s and lasted until 1999, when The New York Times reported that more than two million people had died.
Kim’s response to the famine was outlined by Jerrold Post of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency when he directed the Center for the Analysis of Personality and Political Behavior. Mr. Post said that Kim ordered “several hundred thousand people displaced by the famine…herded into camps where conditions allowed few to survive.”
And, while this was going on, according to The San Francisco Chronicle, Kim “feasts on menus that feature the finest sushi from Japan, caviar from Iran, and cheese, and cognac from France” (apparently, according to other reports, quite large quantities of cognac).
Jerrold Post wrote that Kim was the man who plotted an attempt to kill South Korea’s president in 1983 and the 1987 bombing of a Korean Airlines flight that killed 115 people. He added that Kim “is said to (have ordered) the execution of officials who displease him.”
Kim Poses International Threat
Ordinarily, the international community would go through the motions of saying how horrible Kim is. There would be denunciations of his human rights abuses but not much else.
But, North Korea has a superbly equipped, million-man army and an expanding nuclear weapons program. And, Kim Jong-il likes to throw his weight about; he’s been doing that a lot lately.
While his people starve, Kim has set up an ambitious program to acquire nuclear weapons. Various attempts have been made to get North Korea to give up its nuclear program. Sometimes, Kim says he will in exchange for food or fuel. Then, he says he’s had second thoughts and he’s going ahead with his plans. To say the least, he’s unpredictable.
A flap started in early April 2009, when North Korea lobbed a missile up into the sky. The rocket crossed over Japan and then fizzled out before splashing into the Pacific Ocean.
The United Nations condemned the launch as a needless provocation. The North Koreans got huffy and pulled out of disarmament talks. All of which presents the world community with a dilemma. When dealing with brutal dictatorships do you appease, oppose, or engage?
Generally, the choice is to engage. Appeasing, or giving in, usually encourages people such as Kim to become more aggressive. Opposition can turn nasty and lead to bullets and bombs. Engagement is the preferred strategy. But does it work?
Ignoring International Norms
Kim does not seem to be someone who responds to engagement.
On March 26, 2010 a North Korean submarine fired a torpedo at a South Korean gunboat that was sailing near disputed waters. The Cheonan sank and 46 crew members died with her.
When G8 leaders gathered for their annual summit in Canada in June 2010 they had some harsh words for North Korea. As CBC News reported (June 26, 2010) “the leaders...say they ‘deplore’ North Korea’s alleged sinking of a South Korean warship in March as a ‘challenge to peace and security in the region and beyond.’ ”
But, when the larger G20 (a group that includes China) gathered the next day, Beijing refused to criticize its neighbour and ally. U.S. President Barack Obama rather undiplomatically said that China was “wilfully blind” to the danger posed by Kim Jong-il.
Sources
“Profile: Kim Jong-il.” BBC News, January 16, 2009.
“Human Rights in North Korea.” Kay Seok, Korea Times, February 17, 2009.
“Mad, Bad, and Very Cunning.” Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle, July 23, 2006.
“ ‘North Korean Torpedo’ Sank South’s Navy Ship - Report.” BBC News, May 20, 2010.
“Kim Jong-un: ‘Righteous Cloud’ Rises.” Reuters, September 28, 2010.
© Canada and the World, June 2010
Updated September 2010
All rights reserved
Balbina Hwang, was born in South Korea and is now a Senior Policy Analyst at the Asian Studies Center in the U.S. In July 2006, she talked to The San-
In February 2009, Kay Seok wrote in The Korea Times (a South Korean newspaper) of “routine public executions or the enslavement of hundreds of thousands of people, including young children, in prison camps.
“There is still no organized political opposition, independent labour union, free media, or civil society. Arbitrary arrests, detention, and lack of due process are the norm.”
Monumental Misrule
Kim has misruled his country to the point that famines are frequent. One of the worst started in the mid-
Kim’s response to the famine was outlined by Jerrold Post of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency when he directed the Center for the Analysis of Personality and Political Behavior. Mr. Post said that Kim ordered “several hundred thousand people displaced by the famine…herded into camps where conditions allowed few to survive.”
And, while this was going on, according to The San Francisco Chronicle, Kim “feasts on menus that feature the finest sushi from Japan, caviar from Iran, and cheese, and cognac from France” (apparently, according to other reports, quite large quantities of cognac).
Jerrold Post wrote that Kim was the man who plotted an attempt to kill South Korea’s president in 1983 and the 1987 bombing of a Korean Airlines flight that killed 115 people. He added that Kim “is said to (have ordered) the execution of officials who displease him.”
Kim Poses International Threat
Ordinarily, the international community would go through the motions of saying how horrible Kim is. There would be denunciations of his human rights abuses but not much else.
But, North Korea has a superbly equipped, million-
While his people starve, Kim has set up an ambitious program to acquire nuclear weapons. Various attempts have been made to get North Korea to give up its nuclear program. Sometimes, Kim says he will in exchange for food or fuel. Then, he says he’s had second thoughts and he’s going ahead with his plans. To say the least, he’s unpredictable.
A flap started in early April 2009, when North Korea lobbed a missile up into the sky. The rocket crossed over Japan and then fizzled out before splashing into the Pacific Ocean.
The United Nations condemned the launch as a needless provocation. The North Koreans got huffy and pulled out of disarmament talks. All of which presents the world community with a dilemma. When dealing with brutal dictatorships do you appease, oppose, or engage?
Generally, the choice is to engage. Appeasing, or giving in, usually encourages people such as Kim to become more aggressive. Opposition can turn nasty and lead to bullets and bombs. Engagement is the preferred strategy. But does it work?
Ignoring International Norms
Kim does not seem to be someone who responds to engagement.
On March 26, 2010 a North Korean submarine fired a torpedo at a South Korean gunboat that was sailing near disputed waters. The Cheonan sank and 46 crew members died with her.
When G8 leaders gathered for their annual summit in Canada in June 2010 they had some harsh words for North Korea. As CBC News reported (June 26, 2010) “the leaders...say they ‘deplore’ North Korea’s alleged sinking of a South Korean warship in March as a ‘challenge to peace and security in the region and beyond.’ ”
But, when the larger G20 (a group that includes China) gathered the next day, Beijing refused to criticize its neighbour and ally. U.S. President Barack Obama rather undiplomatically said that China was “wilfully blind” to the danger posed by Kim Jong-
Sources
“Profile: Kim Jong-
“Human Rights in North Korea.” Kay Seok, Korea Times, February 17, 2009.
“Mad, Bad, and Very Cunning.” Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle, July 23, 2006.
“ ‘North Korean Torpedo’ Sank South’s Navy Ship -
“Kim Jong-
© Canada and the World, June 2010
Updated September 2010
All rights reserved
Raul-Delirios de Grandeza
One aspect of the character of Kim Jong-il (above) is without dispute – the man is immensely cruel. He is responsible for some of the worst human rights abuses among current world leaders.
One aspect of the character of Kim Jong-
Under the principle of “universal jurisdiction” any nation can prosecute someone for a serious international crime even if the alleged criminal is not a citizen of that country nor are the victims. The crime does not even have to take place in the prosecuting country.
HEIR APPARENT
In September 2010, Kim Jong-
Clearly, he is being groomed to succeed his ailing father.
Little is known about Kim Jong-
He is also said to have a short temper.