What do y'all think about this?

 

Last year this guy was detained and imprisoned in North Korea for stealing a propaganda sign in North Korea.

 

He came back 17 months later with severe brain damage and has now subsequently died.

 

Video is here if you can't see:

 

https://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhEa16QD2RWO0bc3RN

 

Ultimately it is sad for everyone involved, family, friends, etc. But he knew the risks and North Korea isn't known for being a very caring, loving prison system. Ask any Korean War POW.

It's time to dispose of the North Korean government. I feel terrible for the citizens (prisoners) of that country.

It's time to dispose of the North Korean government. I feel terrible for the citizens (prisoners) of that country.

it is their country though.. 

Read this the other day on BBC:

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40308028

 

In the article, they interviewed one of the other students who was on the tour with him.  Interesting reading.

 

 

It's time to dispose of the North Korean government. I feel terrible for the citizens (prisoners) of that country.

 

 

it is their country though.. 

I could be totally wrong, as I'm not into politics or law whatsoever, but I don't believe they're allowed to leave the country, are they?

It's time to dispose of the North Korean government.

That is something for the people that live in North Korea, and should not be fought by any one else.

Just look at the other mess around the world, where different nations has tried to change the government of another country.

My first question is... why the hell would any American go to North Korea? If you're not an international superstar, you have a target on your forehead. Stealing a paper propaganda poster off the wall of a hotel, cost this kid his life.

 

To me this is straight up murder. They tortured this kid until he was dying, and then cut him loose to avoid him dying on their soil... the very definition of coward. I believe we should sanction everything North Korea... cut them off cold. Then sanction all countries that even talk to them until they execute that fat murderous bastard and create some leadership that wants to live.

 

Sorry, I'm a little pissed about this.

I would tend to agree with you here Lys (Hope you were sitting down for this) however...

 

1. This ain't worth going to war over.

2. China would defend the DPRK if we attacked, unfortunately, and I don't think war with the Chinese is especially wise.

 

They're all ready isolated and sanctioned. I'm not sure there's a whole hell of a lot more we could do to them, and (overlooking the illegality of it) if we took out this whack job, I'd suspect there's another in his place.

 

While I see the argument of those who said the kid got into this mess on his own, it doesn't excuse the treatment the DPRK gave him.

I would tend to agree with you here Lys (Hope you were sitting down for this) however...

 

1. This ain't worth going to war over.

2. China would defend the DPRK if we attacked, unfortunately, and I don't think war with the Chinese is especially wise.

 

They're all ready isolated and sanctioned. I'm not sure there's a whole hell of a lot more we could do to them, and (overlooking the illegality of it) if we took out this whack job, I'd suspect there's another in his place.

 

While I see the argument of those who said the kid got into this mess on his own, it doesn't excuse the treatment the DPRK gave him.

I totally agree with you on everything... it's just so sad.

Sad indeed..

 

But their soil, their rules. Kid shouldn't have attempted to steal anything, your parents teach you this from young, let alone from a bloody dictator who would kill his own happily.

 

I believe initially they sentenced him to 15 YEARS OF HARD LABOUR (which is basically a death sentence anyway).

 

And it seems now with the recent nuclear tensions between NK & US, this was more of a "fuck you" move to the US.

 

Sad but it is what it is

Any time you travel to a country you should respect their laws and customs. Granted, North Korea is an upside down place where what is acceptable isn't always 100% clear. 

Incredibly sad this guy was detained, likely tortured, deprived of food/medical care, and kept in inhumane prison conditions, all over something the rest of the civilized world regards as petty larceny. This guy may have been an idiot to go to North Korea and tried stealing something (at least that is what the NK claimed he did), but he should never have been treated this way.

 

I don't know how I feel about the US and possibly NATO going to war with NK at the moment. I do know that we are on the 10th or 11th hour in terms of NK acquiring the capabilities of miniaturizing nuclear warheads and achieving more reliable missile launches. And once that happens the chance to eliminate NK without massive military and civilian casualties goes out the window. Since NK is probably the only nation in the world that would ever use a Nuclear Weapon in war, should we sit back and risk waiting for that moment? I don't know the answer to that. Especially since a limited strike wouldn't solve the problem, NK would just retaliate with an artillery barrage at Seoul and declare open season. Then we would be forced to respond to a war.

 

From what I have researched over the years, the likelihood of China declaring war on the US is very remote. People tend to forget that as of this month we currently owe China $1.092 Trillion. China may feel backed into a corner and would definitely protest, but I can't see any nation risking out on the possibility of having that much in debt payments frozen, or worse SCOTUS rules that debt to nations at war with the US is permanently nullified. Yes, the US would take a huge hit in our credit rating, but we would have to be morons to be sending debt payments to a nation we are at war with. Although I suppose China could attempt to sell off and dump US debt over time if they suspect hostilities were to occur in the future.

Any time you travel to a country you should respect their laws and customs. Granted, North Korea is an upside down place where what is acceptable isn't always 100% clear. 

But you know this ahead of time.

 

As for a "war" with North korea. I despise their government, But the people have suffered enough. They don't need us rolling in and slaughtering everything. Now if they are willing to take their own government on and lack the skills/resources to do so, I'd gladly re-enlist for that cause. But as it stands now they worship that undergrown, stubby manchild and obviously would never question him. Until that changes, it ain't worth the American lives we'd lose. Sadly we've lost one here but play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Again it's incredibly sad, But I highly doubt he went there without someone telling him how oppressed it is. He walked into the lions den and sadly, it cost him his life.

Hopefully this is a lesson to other American college kids who want to explore the "rich culture" of the North Korea

 

It's time to dispose of the North Korean government. I feel terrible for the citizens (prisoners) of that country.

it is their country though.. 

 

 

We can fix that. 'Murica

I'm sure if US decides to go to war with NK, China will not hesitate to eat up NK as well. China has been very fed up with NK after Kim Jong Nam and Jang Song Thaek have been killed, practically anyone supporting China and is part of the Kim Dynasty are gone. China will definitely invade NK and make it one of its provinces in the near future.

I'm sure if US decides to go to war with NK, China will not hesitate to eat up NK as well. China has been very fed up with NK after Kim Jong Nam and Jang Song Thaek have been killed, practically anyone supporting China and is part of the Kim Dynasty are gone. China will definitely invade NK and make it one of its provinces in the near future.

I know China moved a mass of military power to the border when Trump dropped the MOAB on Syria. I thought maybe they made a deal where we take out Kimmie Boy, and China moves in. That's a serious labor force in NK, and all you have to do is give them a sandwich. Maybe South Korea wouldn't like that, but right now China has got it bad for Capitalism and would be a much better neighbor than Kim. We can hope that our stronger powers have a working plan. Obama would be asking Congress to make the decision for him so he could blame Republicans if it doesn't work out... he was weak.

China isn't the biggest elephant in the room on North Korea, it is the rather ridiculous amount of artillery aimed at Seoul that is...

 

I'd indeed guess they both cut him loose when he dropped into a coma (not believing the "he was always in it", no post-mortum from what I heared) and obviously many propaganda pieces are going about NK being mercifull and USA making the guy drop dead on arrival.

China isn't the biggest elephant in the room on North Korea, it is the rather ridiculous amount of artillery aimed at Seoul that is...

 

I'd indeed guess they both cut him loose when he dropped into a coma (not believing the "he was always in it", no post-mortum from what I heared) and obviously many propaganda pieces are going about NK being mercifull and USA making the guy drop dead on arrival.

Well, Trump tweeted out recently that a deal with Xi didn't work out, so I guess that idea is off the table.

Think China is as much into this mess as the rest of the world is, nobody wants nuclear fallout in their backyard.

Unfortunately, we can't do much more to them, they're already almost totally cut off from the rest of the world besides a loose tie with China. Also, they're the biggest threat in terms of nuclear war happening, although the chances are still pretty low. Just a terrible state with bad leaders and a 1950s technology level.

 

North Korean propaganda is probably gonna have a field day with this. Here's an example of the type of stuff they put out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6qF5NU-ehU

 

 

Here's an example of the type of stuff they put out:

It's been months since I was last allocated my share of snow coffee. Rarely do we get enough snow in Las Vegas to go around. I would starve if it were not for the cakes I receive from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea... I am very grateful. The phones don't work... but no matter... there's no one to call!!!

America is still technically at war with the DPRK (granted it is a long cold, not a hot war), an American citizen going to the DPRK especially with their prior history of detaining US citizens should ring alarm bells.

 

A US citizen then going to the DPRK and committing crime(s)

It is not hidden knowledge what the DPRK does to its own citizens, being a US citizen committing crimes within the borders of the DPRK is screaming out to be made an example of for propaganda purposes and political leverage.  

 

As for retaliation what could really be done?  DPRK is already sanctioned to the hilt, people would have to be insane to start any military adventure off the back of this - start a war for a Darwin Award Nominee who did something that was comparable in the intelligence stakes as playing with traffic.  

 

Sad and unfortunate it happened; god knows what the poor sod endured.  Watch his YouTube "confessions" in court, it is totally scripted by a non English speaker and he just memorized it verbatim - you can only imagine what they did to get that confession out of him and after all of that "Here you go buddy - 15 years hard labour" and ultimately repatriated a vegetable on the verge of death.

 

A very shitty situation, the outcome I would think is not surprising to most; hopefully he has found peace as will his loved ones.  

 

I do wonder what would have happened if he had waved some dollars at them I bet they would have let him have his pick of the posters; though I can't help but think even if he did buy them they would still have arrested him for something.