Like I Said . . . Fascist Tools
So what was I-just-saying? This was in my in-box from Norbert Vollertsen and Douglas Shin today:
FOUR SK PARLIAMENTARIANS FROM THE OPPOSITION PARTY WERE TO SPEAK ON NK HUMAN RIGHTS AND NK REFUGEES AT A FIVE-STAR HOTEL MEETING ROOM IN BEIJING. (See the bottom for press head-up.)
Before 2PM, several men in plainclothes demanded that the press conference be stopped as it did not receive [Ministry of Foreign Affairs] approval. They refused to identify themselves. Right after Rep. Kim Moon-soo started to speak to start the press conference, the unidentified men turned off the power of the microphone and then cut off the electricity in the room.
In a total darkness, a number of journalists were pushed out of the room and the unidentified men dragged out Mr. Son Won-hee (legislative aide to Rep. Kim Moon-soo) who tried to protect the MPs. He was pulled by them a few yards and later released.
The MPs think this is an unlawful act on the part of the Chinese government which is tantamount to detention, not to say of deprivation of their freedom of speech.
Press statements were handed out to journalists before the conference. (See below) Mr. Son ¡ ¯s cell phone is out of service. The delegates may not proceed as scheduled to Qingdao this afternoon. They were to leave Beijing for Qingdao at 5:10 p.m.
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(STATEMENT)Jan. 12, 2005
We request China to show compassion to North Korean refugees .
We, as members of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, are on a four-day tour of Yanji, Beijing and Qingdao from Jan. 10 to 13.
During our fact-finding mission, we were able to meet with related figures of Rev. Kim Dong-shik who was abducted by North Korean agents five years ago in Yanji as well as those working with North Korean refugees. Tomorrow, we plan to visit meet with Korean Choi Young-hoon who is currently serving time in Weifang City Prison.
As members of the National Assembly, we have a responsibility to protect the lives and human rights of our people.
We urge the South Korean government to use all means possible to confirm whether Kim is still alive and bring about his return based on the Treaty between the Republic of Korea and the People’s Republic of China on Mutual Judicial Assistance in Criminal Matters. South Korean authorities must immediately obtain the court records of Changchun Court regarding the criminals behind the abduction and request Chinese authorities to trace the whereabouts of Rev. Kim.
We request China to show leniency toward North Koreans and allow them free passage to a third country of their choice.
We also request the Chinese government to immediately release Korean Choi Young-hoon, who has been serving two years in prison after being sentenced a five-year prison term for aiding North Korean refugees.
Members of the National Assembly, Republic of Korea, Kim Moon-soo, Choi Byung-gook, Bae Il-do, Park Seung-hwan.
As you will detect from my original post below regarding the press conference announcement, I was surprised that this event could even be scheduled in Beijing. The result, sadly, is predictable. Once again, betting on the stupidity and meanness of some people is a woefully profitable position. But this is an embarrassment for Beijing, and that’s richly deserved.