2017-01-17 The American Known in North Korea, at the DMZ

I joined the Asia Leadership Trek on a visit to the DMZ (I think this was my fourth or fifth trip to the DMZ). A US soldier giving us a special tour of the DMZ recognized me. Haha! That's funny. Then another US military person recognized me.

Haha! Go to the DMZ, get recognized. I bet that happens all of the time.

Then one of the soldiers mentioned that the North Korean snipers on the other side of the DMZ use facial recognition, and that I might want to be careful. Some of us were laughing, but he said that I had become a public figure and that North Korea might want to take a shot at me. I was waiting for him to turn to the others and laugh, but he had a poker face.

The other members of the Asia Leadership Trek were in awe of me, but I also noticed they didn't want to stand between me and North Korea. They were probably also rethinking their decision to invite me to join the trip.

A few years ago, I was profiled in the Asia Catalyst as "The American Known in North Korea." (see page 32)

I haven't been back to the DMZ since then, and have turned down a few opportunities to go.

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The American Known in North Korea

Link to the Asia Catalyst article, "The American Known in North Korea."

"Have I been targeted by North Korea?" (The Korea Times, 2014-07-29)

"Dear Readers: I'm on North Korea's enemies list." (The Korea Times, 2014-02-24)

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Common Sense on North Korea (Korea Times, April 2, 2012)

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Rich talking back

The rich are talked about very often in negative terms, but how often do the rich respond in kind? Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart, who inherited most of her money but apparently has also done very well with it, recently railed against class warfare and had some advice for the non-rich : "There is no monopoly on becoming a millionaire," she writes. "If you're jealous of those with more money, don't just sit there and complain. Do something to make more money yourself - spend less time drinking, or smoking and socializing and more time working." She complained about politicians raising taxes, regulations that slow investment, and other anti-business policies that harm the poor. "If you want to help the poor and our next generation, make investment, reinvenstment and businesses welcome."

Random photos from today

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By Casey Lartigue, Jr. There is probably an unwritten rule that a celebrity offering to do volunteer work for a good cause should immediately be embraced. Well, that’s not what happened to Jeong So-dam, the glamorous Korean cable TV announcer when our paths crossed on Nov. 29. Ms. Jeong was the MC of an event about American political philosophy hosted by the Association for Economic Evolution. During my speech about American libertarianism since 1940, I discussed my volunteer work for North Korean refugees. After the speech, Jeong approached me, asking how she could help. I gave her the same tough love I give to potential volunteers by asking: “Who are you?” After all, if you are Bill Gates, then open your wallet. If you speak four languages, then help with translation work. So I first stress to potential volunteers: Use your brain. Tell us about your skills and interests so together we can figure out your initial role. Jeong was good-natured about it, rather than c...

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