The Restore America Project

It is somewhat ironic that a nation that calls itself the “Democratic People’s Republic” is willing to deny food to its starving citizens to launch a missile for a murderer.

With the recent death of Kim Jong-Il, the desperate people of North Korea have a shining opportunity to revolt against their oppressive government. Pictured: The poverty and devastation in N. Korea is visible in this nighttime satellite photo of the Korean peninsula.

But sadly, this is exactly what is occurring right now in North Korea. In direct defiance of the United States and the global community, the North Koreans have decided to launch a missile to honor the late Kim Jong-Il. Why such a man deserves to be honored is beyond my imagination, especially if North Korea calls itself a democratic republic. Kim Jong-Il has imprisoned hundreds of thousands, if not millions of his people in labor camps for criticizing his regime and even for their religious beliefs. He was a man who felt no empathy for his people whatsoever and who willingly sacrificed millions of his people to serve his own political ends.

And it seems, sadly, that Kim Jong-Un, Il’s successor, is similarly disinterested in the needs of the North Korean people. Part of the North Korean bargain with the global community regarding weapons testing involves a simple trade: if North Korea does not test weapons or fire missiles, the United States and other developed nations will step in and provide food for the North Korean people. However, since Kim Jong-Un is set to fire a potentially illegal missile in honor of his late father, the global community is unable to provide food for the North Korean people.

However, there is a glimmer of hope for North Korea. Kim Jong-Il’s death has, without a doubt, emboldened many of the North Korean people to at least consider the possibility of rebellion against their totalitarian government. Human beings have a hunger for liberty, and this hunger inevitably overcomes any forces that may be suppressing its manifestation into reality. Yes, the spirit of the North Korean people has been battered, bruised, and nearly shattered by the outrageous cruelty of their government. But a cursory glance at human history reveals that atrocities by government inspire a momentous fury and an insatiable appetite for justice and equality in every single abused citizen. Somehow or another, this hidden desire for justice will manifest itself, and the North Korean people will be free.

However, the freedom of the North Korean people is highly dependent upon the willingness of developed nations both to thwart China’s attempts to aid the totalitarian North Korean regime and to provide the people of North Korea with the means to overthrow their government and regain control over their lives. If Syria is any indication of this willingness, the North Koreans are in trouble. It is important to remember, though, that the South Koreans hold a great deal of influence with the United States. As witnesses to the crimes of the North Korean government, the South Korean people feel sympathetic towards the people of the north and, as beneficiaries of freedom themselves, likely feel an obligation to aid their northern compatriots in attaining their independence. This desire could put a great deal of pressure upon the US to act to aid its S. Korean ally if S. Korea decides to aid a North Korean rebellion.

Freedom for North Korea may come at a cost, but it is surely worth it. Future generations of North Koreans should not be subjected to the horrific cruelty of an oppressive government. They deserve to enjoy the beauty of freedom.