A glimpse across the North Korean border

Wayne Kuse, Sherman, Texas — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:03:42 GMT

Neat article. Would like to see more like it.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

David, Richmond, Virginia — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:39:01 GMT

This is the most touching story I've read this week. North Korea must feel proud. It is a shame how the world represents them?

A glimpse across the North Korean border

Mac G, chesaning, Michigan — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:50:07 GMT

wow, that was interesting.
i'm really curious as to what is actually in North Korea.
it still amazes me that some nations still have no power and are under very strict control.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

mac G, Michigan — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:52:05 GMT

amazes me how even i take electricity and freedom for granted.
i always have to remind myself that there are places like North Korea out there, where people are under the rule of dictators.
and i'm only 14

A glimpse across the North Korean border

John Carroll, Los Angeles, CA — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:03:57 GMT

This is why I worry more about North Korea than China. China is busy making its people rich and prosperous. Prosperous people have more time to pay attention to who rules them (not happening as much as it should yet, but give time to allow Chinese people to grow accustomed to prosperity). North Koreans, in contrast, have to worry about having enough fuel for fires, and feeding their children.

The lack of trees on the Korean side is interesting. Also interesting is the complete lack of light in nightime satellite photos of North Korea, which contrasts strongly with the sea of light in the South.

Desperately poor people are less likely to challenge their government because they have more mundane concerns. I see little chance of North Koreans overthrowing their "government."

A glimpse across the North Korean border

Jimmy Gold — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:25:14 GMT

This is great. I'd love to hear more about North Korea from the perspective of the Chinese traders who cross into the country. Excellent work.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

Pedro Escalante Núñez, SMA, Gto. Mexico — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:25:24 GMT

I'm a Korean war veteran and deeply resent those South Koreans that support those in the North. We lost many young people there, more in 3 years than in Nam in ten. I'd be delighted to go there again and finish the job.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

Jack Corvo — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:50:36 GMT

It's amazing that they have guns but no food.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

John Wilburn, Red Bluff, Ca. — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:41:41 GMT

I am amazed that there are so many amazed by the lack of modern conveniences in a far off land such as North Korea. One need look no further than some of our Central American neighbors to see a like manner of living.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

Mary, Baltimore, MD — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:18:25 GMT

I lived near Yanji (further north). No trees? The people of NK eat the bark from the trees. They are starving. The trees die and are used for fire wood. No electricity is the least of their worries.

Similar to the Jews during the Holocaust having to wear the Star of David when they left their homes, people in NK have to wear a pin with the pictures of Kim Jong Il and his son Kim Il Sung. Thousands of people die in the concentration camps and many of the exports are made in the concentration camps.

Oppression and starvation are a way of life. This rogue state is a huge threat to world peace.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

Charles H, Indianapolis, Indiana — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:22:42 GMT

Koreans in the south support relatives in the north. I would think Vet of the Korean War would know that they were once one nation and people.

If China would help, the problem in the North could be eliminated in less than a week. South Korea could administer the territory untill free elections could determine either union with the ROK or the autonomous Korean province in China.

Generations of Koreans in the north have suffered under a "Stalinist" regime that might even make "Uncle Joe" wince.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

jody — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:45:55 GMT

Strange that Lisa Ling's sister is being held by the North Koreans because Lisa had an amazing show on National Geographic Channel called "Inside North Korea". I wonder if Lisa's rep will be of any help to freeing the 2 women? She came with an eye doctor who did hundreds of eye surgeries on North Koreans for free. Also, weren't they working for Al Gore's tv channel? Has Gore done anything in the diplomatic area to help the two? There's gotta be some way to get those women outta there.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

Jon Barter, wetumpka, al — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:46:32 GMT

Pedro, just a note to tell you that your service in the Korean has not been forgotten. I was in high school at the time and know how you all suffered.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

John Morris, Chicago, IL — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:32:37 GMT

I saw a satellite map of Asia and what was most striking was the contrast between China, Japan and S. Korea, with a multitude of bright lights and N. Korea which appeared virtually dark. Those people have nothing to lose.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

jd los angeles CA. — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:35:50 GMT

very interesting article

A glimpse across the North Korean border

Tyler Carey, Jeonju, South Korea — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Im a 24 year old American male living in South Korea. Its amazing to witness these events first hand. It's kind of ironic, that South Korea is one of the safest places I have been in my experience of world travel.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

Paduki, San Bernardino, CA — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:27:50 GMT

I would also like to see more articles about everyday life in North Korea. However, I would not like to see journalists risking their lives just to get the information. The government there is very scary. Thank goodness we don't have to live with the fear the North Koreans do.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

JOHN BAKER PENNSBORO WEST VIRGINIA — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:10:32 GMT

I served in South Korea in 1983-84 as many of our military personel have done since 1953,We lost thousands of Americans,many more crippled.THERE IS ONLY A TRUCE,A CEASE FIRE.WE ARE STILL AT WAR WITH NORTH KOREA.We have and are still giving lives and crippled Americans for a war the North started and we must remember that we also fought Chinese military.The common people of the North would love light,food,fuel,etc.Lets give it to them Take out the DEAR LEADER and all his toys make it one KOREA (SOUTH)and if China wishes to help the Noth well they can keep thier goods.It wont be easy many will die,but the longer we wait for the Nuclear Cloud we are only kiding ourselves.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

Ken, Los Angeles, CA — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:50:22 GMT

I visited the DMZ a year ago. The striking difference can also be seen just by looking through the two villages that pass through the demarcation line. The villagers living in Daeseong-dong (the South side) have nice cars, electricity, TV and internet...anything that one can expect in a developed world. In contrast, Gijeong-dong, less than a miles away and under North Korean administration is nothing more than an empty Soviet-style propaganda village with the world's tallest flagpole hoisting up a 600-lb North Korean flag. Sad.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

Mary Conroy, Annapolis, Maryland — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:30:18 GMT

In my opinion, we have to be very wary of North Korea and watch them like hawks. Who knows what their paranoid leaders will do next? I believe the North Korean people live in fear, you cannot compare them to the Chinese, who seem to be coming out of their paranoia. We (the USA) have thousands of hero's buried in Veterans Cemetaries, because of the Korean War, including my late husband. I would be considered a nut case if I told you what I think of those awful people running North Korea, they are the real nut cases, the pox on them, they are shameless.

A glimpse across the North Korean border

Roman Terry, Murrieta, California — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:58:29 GMT

This is such a sensitive time and a real ordeal for the American government as Korea continues to test their Nuclear capabilities. Hopefully all will remain calm and some kind of understanding will be met by all. Though we do not support the North Korean government, our prayers are with the North Korean people as anyplace that does not support a democracy, needs compassion for the people as they are without the choices you and I take for granted.