The New York Philharmonic Orchestra in N. Korea

[srussell]

Here's the question, was it a good idea? Bad idea? Doesn't matter?

I'm not really thrilled with it, myself. Should any attempts be made to normalize relations with them before they renounce any claim they have over S. Korea. If you look at N. Korea's miserable Web site, they still believe that they should own S. Korea. That's why we have such a strong military presence in S. Korea.

Technically, the Korean war never ended. The armistice agreement was basically a cease fire. Will feel-good acts like that eventually lead to an end of hostilities? I'm not convinced of that.

Sam.

[Tamera]

Here's the question, was it a good idea? Bad idea? Doesn't matter?

I'm not really thrilled with it, myself. Should any attempts be made to normalize relations with them before they renounce any claim they have over S. Korea. If you look at N. Korea's miserable Web site, they still believe that they should own S. Korea. That's why we have such a strong military presence in S. Korea.

Technically, the Korean war never ended. The armistice agreement was basically a cease fire. Will feel-good acts like that eventually lead to an end of hostilities? I'm not convinced of that.

Sam.

I have mixed feelings on the subjects. On one hand, N. Korea has shown their disdain for peaceful comprimise. There is no reasoning with them. But would concerts such as this and other non-threatening gestures that have nothing to do with governing bodies help the people of N. Korea to understand Americans better despite what their government is telling them. Also could it open the doors for organizations that are more Christian in nature to go into Korea and evangelize. I don't know, but it's possible.

[Xenia]

It's a BAD idea! They need to quit persecuting Christians like our brother in the following link first :mad:

http://www.prisoneralert.com/pprofiles/vp_prisoner_176_profile.html?_nc=d553c37b20c088a14 88b567e64a84c07

Now, not 2 minutes after posting here I saw a news brief about N. Korea inviting Eric Clapton to come over and give a concert!

[Ransom v. Unman]

The fact that this was allowed to happen is a sign of "thawing," I believe. All of these totalitarian and backwards regimes have a singular difficulty: people want to be free, and they want to know the truth. When they start figuring out how oppressed they are, and how much they've been lied to, governments grow weaker.

This type of cultural exchange may not "bring down the wall" (or in this case, the DMZ) but it shows that people are beginning to wake up, the government isn't as strong as it used to be, and sooner or later North Korea will go either the way of China (a horrible, totalitarian but Western friendly regime) or East Germany (it will unite with South Korea, and we'll all dance in love parades in Pyongyang.)

Either way, I'd say this is a good sign, and I hope many more follow until Kim Jong Il's repressive government falls like an iron statue – and hopefully without any (more) casualties, either!

[ProfessorAlan]

Remember "ping pong diplomacy" -- an early move in the "thawing" of relations with China, back in the 70s.

Cultural exchange is often the first step on the path to political, economic and religious exchange.

[Ransom v. Unman]

I'd still rather North Korea go the way of East Germany than China...

[ProfessorAlan]

I'd rather it go the way of South Korea.

[Ransom v. Unman]

Well, that's what I'm intimating... Proper liberation by/reunification with the rest of the country, over staying obstinately independent but developing a veneer of Western friendliness.

[Xenia]

Well I sincerely hope that all this is a good sign! I basically reacted with defensive emotionalism!

[srussell]

Well I sincerely hope that all this is a good sign! It basically reacted with defensive emotionalism!

I'm not sure I'm following what you mean by defensive emotionalism.


Sam.

[Xenia]

srussell,
Oh...:p I just meant that my original response was purely out of my emotions for the Christians who are being persecuted there. I felt defensive about N Korea getting the luxury of the Orchestra when they are so cruel regarding religious freedoms. I had/have more of a "you don't get to play with the rest of the world until you can behave" attitude. I didn't think about it actually being good in the long run. The comments that the Professor and Ransom made enlightened me a bit toward those possibilities... broadened my view a bit!

[srussell]

srussell,
Oh...:p I just meant that my original response was purely out of my emotions for the Christians who are being persecuted there. I felt defensive about N Korea getting the luxury of the Orchestra when they are so cruel regarding religious freedoms. I had/have more of a "you don't get to play with the rest of the world until you can behave" attitude. I didn't think about it actually being good in the long run. The comments that the Professor and Ransom made enlightened me a bit toward those possibilities... broadened my view a bit!

Sam wakes up, drinks some coffee, drinks more coffee, slowly gets it. Thanks!