me to me, roger, salterwen, Yarn, ronisc, Acey, Dale, kay, Peter, Rosemary, Valerie
15 Aug
Dear Friends,
This is Sejin Pak who gave a talk on North Korea in the Year Meeting 2017. I wanted to explore the possibility of an Australian Quaker group visiting North Korea as a peace delagation as well as a study group.
Below is a list of names and email addresses of those who expressed interest, 11 persons including me.
Sejin Pak <sejin.pak8@gmail.com>,
roger <roger@sawkins.name>,
salterwen <salterwen@hotmail.com>,
Yarn Waves <yarnwaves@gmail.com>,
ronisc <ronisc@fwccawps.org>,
Acey Teasdale <aceyteasdale@yahoo.com.au>,
Dale <d.hess@ozmail.com.au>,
kay <kay@devogel.id.au>,
Peter Clarke <peterlhclarke@hotmail.com>,
Rosemary Morrow <rowemorrow2450@gmail.com>,
Valerie Joy <valuable1@optusnet.com.au>
----
There may be more people who may be interested but do not know about this trip. So more people may join. But some of you may drop out for a reason of your own. Please let me know if you decide that you are no longer interested in this trip.
----
I tried to use Google group email but not everyone responded. I am not very familar with how it works. So I am using a normal email. We will carry on a group communication on the trip.
I list the key issues involved with the trip.
1] WHEN: tentative, late April 2018 to early May.
- This is Spring in North Korea
2] How long: 1 week, 7 nights, 8 days.
3] What to do there: there are some typical packages, but our interest will be accomodated. We can list a couple of key areas or issues of our interest. I think peace would be one key issue we want to explore. Rosemary said she is interested in agriculture/farm/food production. Education could be another area. We can about 2-3 more issues. We have keep in mind that the total length of trip is one week.
4] Cost starting from Beijing:
- suggested cost that I heard is US $2000. This is more than I thought, but everything included.
- airfare from Beijing to Pyongyang,
- hotel accommodation, double,
- all meals included,
- all transport inside North Korea.
We need to discuss special meal requirements.
I had two trips to North Korea. One was one week long group tour. Another was more personal trip just with my sister. The group tour had a very complex schedule visiting many places. And meals were elaborate.
My personal preference is not to have elaboarate meals and have lower cost, but I do not know whether this is possible.
----
My interest in organising this trip is engaging with North Korea and peace making. I would like this trip to be a stepping step for more engagement in future between the Australian Quaker group and North Korea. American Friends Services have had an ongoing relationship with North Korea. I hope to see a similar ongoing engagement by the Australian Friends.
----
Recent exchange of the hostilities expressed between North Korea and the US does not change my resolve to engage with North Korea peacefuuly. The US government introduced a new law prohibitting the US citizens travelling to North Korea. The Australian government simply has a warning. The result of the US travel ban affected even the Korean Americans with families in North Korea. A North Korean university taught in English called Pyongyang Univsersity of Science and Technology had been relying on many teachers from the US, and the school had to cancell classes in the medicine because the teacher from the US are not allowed to come.
Two weeks ago, I attended an international academic conference in Korean Studies held in Auckland because I learned that North Korean scholars were partcipating. But it turned out at the last minutes that the New Zealand government refused the entry of North Korean scholars to New Zealand. I believe this decision by the New Zealand government is related to the US-Australia-New Zealand military relations. The Australian government expressed that if there is a war Australia will participate on the US side. I believe our effort to engage with North Korea is even more significant under the current situation of hostility.
---
I provide some articles explaining the current North Korea situation.
1] This Is What’s Really Behind North Korea’s Nuclear Provocations By Bruce Cumings
https://www.thenation.com/article/this-is-whats-really-behind-north-koreas-nuclear-provocations/
2] Former President Jimmy Carter releases statement on North Korea
http://www.fox5atlanta.com/national-news/273096065-story
Hope to hear from you soon.
In friendship,
Sejin
Adelaide
============
Roger to me, salterwen, Yarn, ronisc, Acey, Dale, kay, Peter, Rosemary, Valerie
15 Aug
Greetings Sejin.
One thought that occurs to me is whether American Friends Service Council have contacts in North Korea and/or suggestions of places to go or things to see?
The other thought is of course the possible problems of getting a visa, particularly if the situation worsens. I assume your quotations are based on Korea Konsult http://www.koreakonsult.com/index.html which seems to be based in Sweden.
Roger
==============
From: Sejin Pak Gmail [mailto:sejin.pak8@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 15 August 2017 2:10 PM
To: Sejin Pak; roger; salterwen; Yarn Waves; ronisc; Acey Teasdale; Dale; kay; Peter Clarke; Rosemary Morrow; Valerie Joy
Subject: North Korea Study Tour
…
Ronis Chapman to me, roger, salterwen, Yarn, Acey, Dale, kay, Peter, Rosemary, Valerie
15 Aug
Hello Sejin
I am thinking like Roger. If this trip goes ahead then it also may be helpful to be in touch with Quakers in South Korea.
AFSC have an office in Cambodia and it would be appropriate to ask their advice.
Lucy Roberts is the staff person and her email address is lroberts@afsc.org
thanks
Ronis
===============
Kay de Vogel to me, roger, salterwen, Yarn, ronisc, Acey, Dale, Peter, Rosemary, Valerie
15 Aug
Dear Sejin,
I regret that I have to withdraw my name from this list, for family reasons.
In peace,
Kay
===============
me to Kay, Acey, Dale, Peter, Rosemary, Valerie, Yarn, roger, ronisc, salterwen
15 Aug
Dear Kay,
Thank you for letting know.
I will delete your name from this mailing list.
In friendship,
Sejin
=============
Valerie Joy to me, roger, salterwen, Yarn, ronisc, Acey, Dale, kay, Peter, Rosemary
16 Aug
Dear Sejin Park, I will answer in red below.
…
From: Sejin Pak Gmail [mailto:sejin.pak8@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 15 August 2017 2:10 PM
To: Sejin Pak; roger; salterwen; Yarn Waves; ronisc; Acey Teasdale; Dale; kay; Peter Clarke; Rosemary Morrow; Valerie Joy
Subject: North Korea Study Tour
Dear Friends,
…
This is Sejin Pak who gave a talk on North Korea in the Year Meeting 2017. I wanted to explore the possibility of an Australian Quaker group visiting North Korea as a peace delagation as well as a study group.
Below is a list of names and email addresses of those who expressed interest, 11 persons including me.
Sejin Pak <sejin.pak8@gmail.com>,
roger <roger@sawkins.name>,
salterwen <salterwen@hotmail.com>,
Yarn Waves <yarnwaves@gmail.com>,
ronisc <ronisc@fwccawps.org>,
Acey Teasdale <aceyteasdale@yahoo.com.au>,
Dale <d.hess@ozmail.com.au>,
kay <kay@devogel.id.au>,
Peter Clarke <peterlhclarke@hotmail.com>,
Rosemary Morrow <rowemorrow2450@gmail.com>,
Valerie Joy <valuable1@optusnet.com.au>
----
There may be more people who may be interested but do not know about this trip. So more people may join. But some of you may drop out for a reason of your own. Please let me know if you decide that you are no longer interested in this trip.
----
I tried to use Google group email but not everyone responded. I am not very familar with how it works. So I am using a normal email. We will carry on a group communication on the trip.
I list the key issues involved with the trip.
----------- 1] WHEN: tentative, late April 2018 to early May.
These dates are OK with me
…
- This is Spring in North Korea
---------- 2] How long: 1 week, 7 nights, 8 days.
This is a good length of stay
…
-------- 3] What to do there: there are some typical packages, but our interest will be accomodated. We can list a couple of key areas or issues of our interest. I think peace would be one key issue we want to explore. Rosemary said she is interested in agriculture/farm/food production. Education could be another area. We can about 2-3 more issues. We have keep in mind that the total length of trip is one week.
If you thought it appropriate, I could offer a half day AVP (Alternatives to Violence) mini workshop
…
---------- 4] Cost starting from Beijing:
- suggested cost that I heard is US $2000. This is more than I thought, but everything included.
- airfare from Beijing to Pyongyang,
- hotel accommodation, double,
- all meals included,
- all transport inside North Korea.
That cost is OK
We need to discuss special meal requirements. I have no special meal requirements. I am not strong on Kim Chi, but it is only for a short time.
…
I had two trips to North Korea. One was one week long group tour. Another was more personal trip just with my sister. The group tour had a very complex schedule visiting many places. And meals were elaborate.
My personal preference is not to have elaboarate meals and have lower cost, but I do not know whether this is possible.
----
My interest in organising this trip is engaging with North Korea and peace making. I would like this trip to be a stepping step for more engagement in future between the Australian Quaker group and North Korea. American Friends Services have had an ongoing relationship with North Korea. I hope to see a similar ongoing engagement by the Australian Friends.
----
Recent exchange of the hostilities expressed between North Korea and the US does not change my resolve to engage with North Korea peacefuuly. The US government introduced a new law prohibitting the US citizens travelling to North Korea. The Australian government simply has a warning. The result of the US travel ban affected even the Korean Americans with families in North Korea. A North Korean university taught in English called Pyongyang Univsersity of Science and Technology had been relying on many teachers from the US, and the school had to cancell classes in the medicine because the teacher from the US are not allowed to come.
Two weeks ago, I attended an international academic conference in Korean Studies held in Auckland because I learned that North Korean scholars were partcipating. But it turned out at the last minutes that the New Zealand government refused the entry of North Korean scholars to New Zealand. I believe this decision by the New Zealand government is related to the US-Australia-New Zealand military relations. The Australian government expressed that if there is a war Australia will participate on the US side. I believe our effort to engage with North Korea is even more significant under the current situation of hostility.
---The present situation does appear to be very dangerous. I am also afraid that Turnbull will commit to sending troops without consultation with the Parliament.
Very best wishes,
=================
me
16 Aug
Thank you Valerie for your reply.
===========
Acey Teasdale to me, roger, salterwen, Yarn, ronisc, Dale, kay, Peter, Rosemary, Valerie
17 Aug
Dear Sejin,
I am just letting you know that I continue to wish to be counted in for the study tour. Your talk at YM greatly impacted me. I knew little of the 20th Century history of Korea, though I vividly remember the Korean War from my childhood. Everyone seemed to be viewing it then as a 'simple' communist/capitalist clash, though, even as a primary school kid it seemed to me to be a weird involvement for Australia.You contextualisation of the conflict illuminated much.
I renewed my interest in Korea when, several years ago, I walked for an afternoon on the Camino de Santiago with a young South Korean man who had just finished a term in the army. He had particularly enlisted to learn how to defuse land mines and deliberately volunteered for that task in the demilitarised zone. His accounts of the forbidden camaraderie and assistance shared by North and South Korean soldiers, similarly engaged among the dangerous 'safe' paths in the DMZ, impressed upon me how close, beneath the surface, was the will to resolve tensions peacefully.
I want to see and gauge the mood for myself. It does occur to me that the international climate and Australia's attitude to citizens traveling to North Korea maybe uncertain over the several intervening months.
In Friendship,
Acey
===========
me
17 Aug
Thank you Acey for your feedback.
Lucy Roberts to Ronis, me, roger, salterwen, Yarn, Acey, Dale, kay, Peter, Rosemary, Valerie, Linda, Daniel
29 Aug
Dear Ronis, Sejin and all,
Thanks for sharing this exciting plan! I've added a couple links to publications which may be interesting for you at the end of the email - they outline AFSC's work on the peninsula and our current approach, on which I imagine we are pretty aligned.
I am ccing my colleagues Linda Lewis who manages the DPRK programme of work, among other things, and Dan Jasper who is also part of the Asia team, but based in Washington DC and works with the US administration on their approach to DPRK. Dan is the author of the reference documents - please do email him if you have further questions.
I was really interested to see the Quaker Peace and Legislation Committee Action Alert 17-2; North Korea, a great letter to Julie Bishop! Sad to see how aggressive Turnbull's stance on DPRK is.
Thanks again Ronis for ccing me in here. Please do get in touch anytime with questions or ideas,
With best wishes, Lucy
Lucy Roberts
Regional Director - Asia
American Friends Service Committee
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Office +855 23 216 400 Ext.18
Mobile +855 1743 0668
--------------------
1]
https://www.afsc.org/document/engaging-north-korea
Engaging North Korea | American Friends Service Committee
www.afsc.org
Communication between the United States and North Korea (or Democratic People’s Republic of Korea—DPRK) has almost entirely ceased in recent years. The ...
https://www.afsc.org/document/engaging-north-korea-volume-ii
2] Engaging North Korea - Volume II | American Friends ...
www.afsc.org
As tensions between the U.S. and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK/North Korea) approach new heights, the new U.S. administration is beginning to ...
---------------------
3] http://www.zoominkorea.org/now-is-the-time-for-talks-with-north-korea/
Now is the Time for Talks with North Korea | Zoom in Korea
www.zoominkorea.org
Written by Daniel Jasper of AFSC -- "We should all be outraged that the U.S. is not immediately launching a full-scale diplomatic outreach effort to North Korea to ...
===============
From: Ronis Chapman <ronisc@fwccawps.org>
Sent: 15 August 2017 14:57:17
To: Sejin Pak
Cc: roger; salterwen; Yarn Waves; Acey Teasdale; Dale; kay; Peter Clarke; Rosemary Morrow; Valerie Joy
Subject: Re: North Korea Study Tour
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