How does this happen? Why on earth did this guy have to be in N. Korea?

[Anonymous]

People, the point is not whether or not he did anything to a poster. Maybe he did, but also completely plausible (even probable) that he did nothing. North Korea is run by criminals. They have a hostage, and now WE have to pay a ransom. I'm usually the first to call people out on victim blaming, but in this case... the shoe fits.
Do. Not. Go. To. North. Korea!

[Anonymous]

Sentenced today to 15 years of hard labor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, the US needs to shut down the tour company, although the DPRK probably already has. They also shouldn't allow anyone under the age of 25 travel there without their parents.

We went to DPRK and we had to attend a mandatory pre-meeting to tell us what we had to do there and to scare us into behaving, i.e. understanding the severity of it. You forfeit your passport upon entering. When we went Americans could only visit during the Mass Games, but I think they've since opened it up. Restricting that again might be in everyone's best interests.

25 is almost a decade into adulthood.

At age 25 most people I know were on their own, supporting themselves, many married and many parents themselves.

Heck, at 18 I was completely supportig myself.

Your attitude is part of the problem.

25 years old or even 21 year old, is an adult.

[Anonymous]

poor guy.

no american citizen should be allowed to travel to north korea, or most muslim countries either.

We should shut the access to these countries like NOrth Korean, Pakistan, SA, Yemen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think many people in our country truly do not understand freedom. They really don’t get the idea that in other countries, people are not free. They are not free to speak their minds. They are not free to worship as they wish. They are not free to write what they want. And, punishment for breaking ANY law is severe. Yes, they are told about how people are treated in some of these countries ruled by tyrants, but they think because they are Americans, their freedom follows them.

I have my doubts that this student did what he is accused of. His crime was being an American.

He didn't deny it, and the showed video. He will get out at age 40 and write a book.

I thought his remorse was BS. No tears or real crying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:poor guy.

no american citizen should be allowed to travel to north korea, or most muslim countries either.

We should shut the access to these countries like NOrth Korean, Pakistan, SA, Yemen.

This is an issue of personal responsibility. The US State Department has always advised Americans to avoid traveling to North Korea. Why on earth do these people put themselves in these situations?

[Anonymous]

Please let's just leave the guy there. No more rescuing of these idiots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does the USA issue passports for people to go to these countries?

That's not how passports work, dummy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:poor guy.

no american citizen should be allowed to travel to north korea, or most muslim countries either.

We should shut the access to these countries like NOrth Korean, Pakistan, SA, Yemen.

This is an issue of personal responsibility. The US State Department has always advised Americans to avoid traveling to North Korea. Why on earth do these people put themselves in these situations?

North Korea is run by a megalomaniac. There is no telling what that man will do from one day to the next. You are expecting that if someone behaves well, they will be treated well. How many people has this man murdered in cold blood, for no good reason?

Personal responsibility only counts in countries where justice has a fair shake. In North Korea, it decidedly does not.

Our government should be coming down hard and fast on North Korea. This kid MUST come home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many people in our country truly do not understand freedom. They really don’t get the idea that in other countries, people are not free. They are not free to speak their minds. They are not free to worship as they wish. They are not free to write what they want. And, punishment for breaking ANY law is severe. Yes, they are told about how people are treated in some of these countries ruled by tyrants, but they think because they are Americans, their freedom follows them.

I have my doubts that this student did what he is accused of. His crime was being an American.

He didn't deny it, and the showed video. He will get out at age 40 and write a book.

I thought his remorse was BS. No tears or real crying.

Good LORD, he TOOK DOWN A BANNER. If a minority did that here, you all would be SCREAMING for justice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many people in our country truly do not understand freedom. They really don’t get the idea that in other countries, people are not free. They are not free to speak their minds. They are not free to worship as they wish. They are not free to write what they want. And, punishment for breaking ANY law is severe. Yes, they are told about how people are treated in some of these countries ruled by tyrants, but they think because they are Americans, their freedom follows them.

I have my doubts that this student did what he is accused of. His crime was being an American.

He didn't deny it, and the showed video. He will get out at age 40 and write a book.

I thought his remorse was BS. No tears or real crying.

If a minority was put in jail here for the horrible crime of removing a banner, you would be screaming for justice.

If you can't see that this kid was taken by a megalomaniac who is hell-bent on making himself look like a big man by trying to make the US look foolish, I don't know what to say. The fact he's getting away with it and you support is, is astounding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm actually convinced these people are all spies. Or complete morons. There is no reason to visit any of these places unless you're an intelligence officer. Same with Iran.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many people in our country truly do not understand freedom. They really don’t get the idea that in other countries, people are not free. They are not free to speak their minds. They are not free to worship as they wish. They are not free to write what they want. And, punishment for breaking ANY law is severe. Yes, they are told about how people are treated in some of these countries ruled by tyrants, but they think because they are Americans, their freedom follows them.

I have my doubts that this student did what he is accused of. His crime was being an American.

He didn't deny it, and the showed video. He will get out at age 40 and write a book.

I thought his remorse was BS. No tears or real crying.

Have you read the reports of what they'll do to him? Starvation, beatings, working outside in -15 degree weather conditions, random killings, no medial/dental care, etc. Makes water boarding sound like a game. I can' imagine why anyone would travel to North Korea. Ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many people in our country truly do not understand freedom. They really don’t get the idea that in other countries, people are not free. They are not free to speak their minds. They are not free to worship as they wish. They are not free to write what they want. And, punishment for breaking ANY law is severe. Yes, they are told about how people are treated in some of these countries ruled by tyrants, but they think because they are Americans, their freedom follows them.

I have my doubts that this student did what he is accused of. His crime was being an American.

He didn't deny it, and the showed video. He will get out at age 40 and write a book.

I thought his remorse was BS. No tears or real crying.

If a minority was put in jail here for the horrible crime of removing a banner, you would be screaming for justice.

If you can't see that this kid was taken by a megalomaniac who is hell-bent on making himself look like a big man by trying to make the US look foolish, I don't know what to say. The fact he's getting away with it and you support is, is astounding.

+1 Beyond astounding.

[Anonymous]

His long did it take for the U.S. to get out of North Korea in his Thor of situation? Anyone know?