111500636967283595

The demonstration at the Chinese Embassy was a numerical disappointment. Only 100 people, plus or minus a dozen, attended. We were vocal, but not sufficiently numerous to to budge Hu Jintao. About 1/3 were under 40, and about an equal percentage were non-Koreans. The families of the Japanese abductees were much in evidence again. Another Korean-American woman, about whom I’ll write more at some future date, was awaiting the release of her husband from a Chinese jail. He was caught attemping to help a couple dozen North Koreans escape through China.

Explanation? In the immediate sense, LiNK didn’t participate, and given that they produced the vast majority of those who attended last year, it was no surprise that without LiNK, turnout was sharply lower (Adrian Hong and I had a good conversation about this and other matters over a quick meal; he had what I considered sound logical reasons for not participating. Even if I didn’t agee with them, I could see his point). In a broader sense, this small movement is in some ways a victim of its success. Last year, we had an immediate goal–passage of the NKHRA. Having accomplished that, there’s no sense of agreement on the next step that would unite everyone.

Some other information about demonstrations elsewhere. First, the presence of the same abductees’ families’ organizations in Washington persuades me that the impressive turnout in Tokyo was coordinated with events here. A Kyodo News correspondent there informs me that much of it was driven by Japanese anger at China. Reader Brendan Brown tells me that turnout in Seoul rose to about 200 this year, although that’s still miniscule compared to demos over, say, certain traffic accidents or Tokdo. It may be true that people in Seoul who are inclined to go to protests–usually people who are angry, bored, and without steady employment–didn’t. Like conservatives everywhere, conservatives in Korea probably aren’t completely comfortable on the streets carrying signs or shouting into bullhorns. Neither am I, frankly speaking, which may call for a shift of focus. Or maybe the South Koreans simply don’t care.

The most interesting part of the day was running into Gordon Cucullu, whom I ended up driving to and from the demonstration. Cucullu is just about as interesting and pleasant a person as you could end up spending the better part of a day talking with, and given that I’m deep into his book, it was a lot like having my own personal episode of “Book Notes.” He has many interesting projects underway, although I agreed not to discuss them here. Gordon is a regular on Fox News, which means that he could well bring a great deal of needed attention to this cause.