Mike Kim's talk

**The views and opinions of the author expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Harvard HRiNK or any agency or entities thereof.**

So Mike Kim came and spoke at the Law School two days ago, as you may be able to tell by my post from the 8th. I wish he went into more detail about how he got to the point of packing his bags for the Northeast China/North Korea border and what drew his heart there, but anyhow, a few points that caught my attention:

--Mike didn't strictly summarize from his book, instead pointing out certain things here and there. There were a few details he shared that he hadn't written, so those were welcome surprises. Most of the words he spoke were either paraphrased or extremely similar to those of his book (I had read up to Chapter 10 before his talk), though,and it seemed as if he had it all memorized. Perhaps he really writes as he speaks, which would be a good thing, or maybe he's given so many book talks that he's had to have scripted part of his routine, which is practical, yes. Not trying to criticize or anything, just noting.

--There was one question from an audience member that threw Mike off: "What do you think is your purpose in coming here [and delivering this presentation]?" Actually, I noticed that for several of these "why" questions Mike seemed a bit flustered and when answering the questions he repeated back a good portion of the inquirer's question (if the inquirer had been so kind as to have given Mike a possible explanation for the question to which s/he was seeking the answer). Just saying.

--It really does seem like there are two alternate universes, the land of North Korea, and then business school [read: "normal life"] where Mike is now. Mike did detail plot well in his book, and I suspect my still having difficulty consistently wrapping my head around the experiences and attitudes he describes can be ascribed to my only having in recent months began delving into literature and accounts of modern-day North Korea. [edit: When I mentioned this to an older non-HRiNK friend, she asked, Wouldn't it be a bit disturbing if you could wrap your head around it, though? Hm.. I think she has a point there too.]

The hermit nation is one of mystery, indeed. It remains my hope that with increasing communication between the hearts and minds of those inside and outside the country, we outside may learn more to empathize with our northern Korean brethren and be compelled to actively campaign against their nation's grave injustices.

--I wonder what Mike thinks is key to both the opening up of North Korea and maintaining what's left of its psychosocial stability. He mentioned that after taking the two elder women through China and Laos, Crossing Borders decided not to engage anymore in that form of direct refugee aid because it wanted as an organization to exist for a longer period of time. What needs to happen before we no longer need organizations like Crossing Borders, however?

Is it social and political awareness, as Mike introduces by saying we can form campus and church chapters of LiNK? Is it economic development, as Mike is researching for his graduate school thesis? Is it spirituality, perhaps? The last factor Mike did not mention at his talk, but he praises God, appropriately, at several signposts in his book, so I was just wondering. I do not wish to suggest any good or ill about his motives, as I realize that would be judging him and placing an immense pressure on him, but I wish he had been clearer in his talk regarding his personal beliefs. This view transcends "respect for privacy" since Mike's personal beliefs are especially important as those of one who envisioned and instigated this movement.

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Anyway, I guess I'll just email Mike and ask him about that last issue, then. I had been planning to chat with him after his talk, partly to follow up on an issue that a friend who heard him speak at Columbia (on 02 April 2009) had brought up, but Q&A ended just as I had to run, so I shall instead make use of and be thankful for technology.