What North Koreans Think Of South Korea (Part 2) | ASIAN BOSS
Pilju:“I found myself contemplating suicide.”
Pilju: “Because...as a North Korean, I just couldn’t see how I could compete with South Koreans to get ahead in life.I also suffer from hemophilia so when I bleed, it doesn’t stop. Could someone sick like me survive South Korean society? No, I didn’t think I could. SO I decided to kill myself. but at the moment I felt a sense of regret. Other than the moment of arriving at Incheon Airport, getting my social security and student cards, I had no other happy memories. I finally have freedom after risking my life, but why is my life so miserable? I asked myself that questions and that’swhen I realized that I was pursuing the same materialistic goals as my South Korean friends.... When I first came to South Korea, I laughed at those that committed suicide but I finally understood their pain. I can see it from both perspectives now.... ”
Materialistic desires may take away what makes one happy.
Dont forget what truely bring you joy
Interviewer: How would North Koreans feel about reunification?
Pilju: “Ever since the Kim Il-Sung Administration, North Koreans have always been taught that we are one Korea. Part of that was obviously politically-motivated brainwashing but still, we were always taught the two Koreas need to be reunified. ”
Interviewer: “But the reason for the reunification...”
Pilju: “was because we were told South Korea was full of homeless people”
Interviewer: ”So North Korea had to rescue them.”
Interviewer: “What about now? Because they must be aware how wealthy South Korea is. Despite that, would North Koreans still want reunification?”
Pilju: “Probably not the ones in charge because they wouldn’t want to be held accountable for the crimes they committed. They know that. “
Interviewer: “And ordinary citizens?”
Pilju: “Ordinary North Koreans have nothing to lose. SO they’d want reunification because life is too tough right now”
Interviewer: ”Do you personally want reunification?”
Rachel: “Of course I do. The reason why I started a YouTube channel in South Korea was to help speed up the process of reunification. That’s why.”
Interviewer: “How realistic is reunification? ”
Rachel: “The thing about reunification is... it will only work if both North and South Koreans see eye to eye.”
Interviewer: “ Then how do you think South Koreans feel about reunification? ”
Rachel: “...Unless South Koreans are properly educated on reunification my guess is most of them shouldn't care. ”
Pilju: “I’m a defector so of course I want reunification more than anyone. Because I want to visit home. That said, I don’t think the time is right. ”
Interviewer: “Why do you say that?”
Pilju: “Because...South Korea is too uninformed about North Korea. South Korea’s perception of North Korea is stuck in the late 90s to early 2000s. Some high school and college students are still fascinated to see me and ask if we use the same language. That’s how little education there is about reunification. Even if North Koreans are brainwashed, at least they are constantly being taught about reunification. There are over 30,000 North Korea defectors in South Korea right now. Yet, people know nothing about North Koreans nor do they try to mix with them. Right now, North Koreans have such a good impression of South Korea and as soon as we reunify, they will come to Soth Korea. When they do, we can expect a serious clash and the social conflict will exceed anything we can imagine. I think that will create serious economic and cultural issues to the point Korea could fall. This is a serious issue and for that reason, I’m against it until people's mindsets change first. ”
