2019-10-18 Small Group Discussion 3, "I am from North Korea"

Tonight we wrapped up our "I am from North Korea" Small Group Discussion series with three North Korean refugees giving speeches in English. They all joined TNKR at different levels.

One was a basic level speaker, joining us in 2013. At that time, she didn't show her face and for years we had to censor every photo with her in it. Another speaker joined us at a high level in 2015. And another speaker joined us nearly fluent in 2018.

They all gave great speeches tonight while barely checking their notes, and one speaker didn't bring any notes at all.

These small group discussions are a great chance for speakers to improve their public speaking ability, gain confidence, and hear the types of questions people are asking about North Korea, North Koreans, and North Korean refugees. They can do so in a non-pressure environment with an audience that is eager to hear from them.

We never rush any refugees to the stage, we want them to go at their own speed, or no speed at all if they decide public speaking isn't for them. I do remind people that not all North Korean refugees are like this, we have had 429 refugees study in TNKR since 2013, but only about 50 or so have studied in Track 2.

I realize that some people would like me to do a play-by-play description of these events, but I don't want to overexpose speakers. Some people think they have "got" a refugee's story based on hearing it once, but they don't realize that refugees continue developing their speeches, based on practicing and studying, such speaking opportunities, hearing questions that are asked at such events, along with their own self-development and time to analyze their own lives. A speaker who gives a talk right after being released from Hanawon (a time that most reporters and researchers want to get them) will be different from a speaker who has had several years of living outside of North Korea and has some perspective.

***

Q & A

***

Then it was time for Q&A. Of course the speeches were all great, but the best time is Q&A. You can never be sure what the audience will ask about. Tonight's questions:

* How can more people in North Korea get access to information?

* What do the North Korean people feel about regime change?

* When you were escaping in China, did you learn Mandarin?

* What do you mean that you weren't allowed to travel in North Korea without a permit?

* What can foreigners do to help North Korean refugees?

* North Koreans believe the Kims are Gods. How did that change when they died?

* What kind of impact do sanctions have on North Koreans?

* When you first arrived in South Korea, what were the biggest differences that you detected?

* What is your feeling about TNKR?

Each speaker made really moving remarks about TNKR and about how wonderful the organization is. One speaker said that TNKR is "amazing," that "it is hard to meet kind people like this. In so many cases, people try to use refugees, but TNKR is really focused on helping North Korean refugees."

Another speaker mentioned that "TNKR's education system is different. Other organizations are to-down, but here, students can choose the teachers, the textbooks, or whatever they want to study. In North Korea, people must live passively, but this kind of system is completely different. In giving public speeches like this, my self-confidence has really increased."

The third speaker discussed how the students learn more than just English, "that each volunteer has his or her own story, cultural things, style. It is a new way for North Koreans who could not travel in their own countries to meet people from around the world while learning English."

Photo Time

Because all three speakers are public, photo time was easy! When even one speaker is reluctant then we must control things so no one posts a photo of someone who doesn't want it.

After that, we talked, a few attendees expressed interest in becoming volunteers with TNKR.

Tutor with TNKR: https://lovetnkr.org/tutor/

Support TNKR: https://give.lovetnkr.com

Mentor North Korean refugee youth, English speech contest https://lovetnkr.org/event/north-korean-refugee-youth-speech-contest/

Korean translation by Youngjoo Yoo: https://blog.naver.com/tnkr21/221686342496

"Yoegi Anjuseyo!"

* I have a short reflection in today's Korea Times about an encounter with an unfriendly looking Korean man on the subway. It was a reminder not to be too quick in judging people in Korea. 09-13-2011 16:47 'Yeogi Anjeuseyo!' By Casey Lartigue Jr. The recent incident in which an American English teacher bullied an elderly Korean man and other passengers on the bus reminded me of a more pleasing incident from years ago. I was on the subway, taking the train outside of Seoul for a work assignment. I have the habit of standing on the subway to strategically position myself near the doors in case my stop magically appears. On that particular day, there was a Korean man STARING at me. Not just looking at me, but intensely staring at me. He had an incredible frown on his face. Not just for one stop, but for several stops the guy just kept staring at me. If I had known more Korean then I would have been able to curse him ...

Michael Breen discussion at 10 Magazine

Yesterday I attended a discussion with writer Michael Breen, hosted by Barry Welsh. Very often, when I attend a speech or discussion about a topic I know a lot about, I often think about ways the speaker/facilitator/discussant could have done better. But I didn't feel that way about Breen, it was one of those times that I really felt like I had a lot to learn and should listen more than talk. He's been in Korea for three decades, working as a reporter, commentator, communications specialist. He reminds me of Andrei Lankov in that his analysis seems to be based on observation of how things work rather than trying to get the world to fit his biases. I don't know him, so his friends may say he is a raging ideologue, but that's not the impression I had yesterday and based on his writings. Michael Breen (L) and Casey Lartigue I first read his book The Koreans about a decade ago. It was a delightful read, that was both warm to Koreans but also critical at times. Yes...

Humanitarian with a guillotine (Korea Times, February 1, 2013) by Casey Lartigue, Jr.

Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan said the nine most terrifying words in the English language are, `` I’m from the government, and I’m here to help .” For many well-intentioned activists, politicians, and intellectuals, that should be updated as: ``We are here to help you. You’re under arrest.” For example, ``sex workers” around the world oppose anti-prostitution laws. Prostitutes may not know the theoretical arguments but they do know in reality that prohibiting prostitution means they lack protection in dealing with abusive pimps and madams, violent patrons and crooked cops. Locally, a Korean woman busted for prostitution recently appealed to the courts pleading , ``I cannot survive without this job. I don’t want to be treated as a criminal for making a living the only way I can.” How should someone who genuinely wants to help her respond? If you say ``arrest her” then you are qualified to be a “harmful humanitarian.” In your desire to help, you have elimin...

Inspiration from a lousy visitor (The Korea Times, December 31, 2013) by Casey Lartigue, Jr.

2013-12-15 It was a great occasion yesterday. A group of us held a Christmas party in the cancer ward of severance hospital. So many people to mention. The man who inspired it all: Nick Adams. It was his trip to Korea last month that inspired me to organize the party. He had cancer when he was a child, and he insisted that as part of his itinerary that we stop by the hospital. I was so moved that I contacted the best party planner I have ever known. The man behind the motion: Edward M. Robinson! As I've said several times: If you are looking for someone to hold an incredible party for kids, then contact Eddie! I look forward to big things from HOPE now that he has taken an even more active role with the organization (and was smart enough to name me an International Adviser, for example). The staff members at Mulmangcho are still talking about the incredible Halloween party he hosted, and they are looking forward to the Christmas party he has planned this weekend! The lady behind t...

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."

The Casey Lartigue Show!

Search This Blog