American missionary-turned-human rights activist Kenneth Bae speaks during an inauguration ceremony for the Citizens’ Solidarity for ONE KOREA at the Press Center in Seoul, Feb. 4. Courtesy of Citizens’ Solidarity for ONE KOREA
American missionary-turned-human rights activist Kenneth Bae, who was once detained in North Korea for more than two years, said he will engage in a broadcasting propaganda initiative using shortwave radio to reach North Korean people.
The head of the New Korea Foundation International said in an interview with The Korea Times that he will spearhead a public fundraising campaign to establish a North Korea-focused radio service called Korea Link.
“The effort is centered on North Korean citizens rather than the Kim Jong-un regime in the North,” Bae said during the interview at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Feb. 4.
“The target of reunification is not the North Korean regime but the North Korean people. Unlike in the past, defection has become nearly impossible. For them, reunification is the only answer.”
Bae joined 45 civic and religious organizations on the day before the interview to launch Citizens’ Solidarity for ONE KOREA, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) that opposes the Lee Jae Myung administration’s so-called “two-state framework” and seeks to lead the two Koreas to peaceful unification.
He was appointed co-head of the NGO jointly with Seo In-teck, chair of Action for Korea United.
Since Lee Jae Myung took office in June, the government has halted its broadcasting propaganda activities, including loudspeakers along the Demilitarized Zone and air-drop leaflets. The U.S. administration also cut off public funding for its North Korea broadcasting stations, such as Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.
“The reason Germany managed to reach unification was because the East German people had changed their minds,” Bae said.
“I want to make various content about why unification is necessary, not only for North Korean citizens but also for South Korean people. I believe this will also be an important source for Korea diaspora communities around the world.”
Source: Korea Times News
