On Christmas day, a Christian activist named Robert Park deliberately entered North Korea in an effort to shed light upon a very dark corner of this world. Park, a Korean American, entered the country through its northern border reportedly making pronouncements of God’s love to the people. According to Reuters, “Park said he wanted to be arrested in order to pressure governments including the United States, South Korea and Japan to address the suffering of the North Korean people.”
As of now there has been no word on Park’s status, but a fairly safe bet would be that he had achieved his goal and is now in the custody of North Korean border agents. His crossing was no secret and nor is Kim Jong Il’s oppressive stance upon dissent. In a country that strictly censors all outside influences and demands total fealty to Kim Jong Il’s cult of personality, there will be little tolerance for Park’s presence and attitude.
Reactions to Park’s actions are sure to be mixed. While most people would likely admire Park’s courage and sacrifice, some may question the effectiveness of his campaign and the brash nature in which it was carried out. In addition to fear for Park’s well-being, there is also concern that his arrest could cause ripples in the diplomatic relations of this geopolitical hotspot. For many Koreans memories are still fresh from the 2007 Afghanistan hostage crisis where 27 Korean missionaries from Saemmul Presbyterian Church were held captive by the Taliban. That incident resulted in a paid ransom of 20 million USD to the Taliban and a widespread backlash against the Presbyterian faith in Korea.
News of Park’s status and the outcomes of his crossing will be forthcoming. So too will be an closer examination of this situation, and what Park’s endeavors may tell us about ourselves and the world we live in. For now, let us give mind and heart sincerely in prayer for Park’s safety, for the plight of the North Korean people, and for more salt and light to break into this troubled world.
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