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American wanted to stay in North Korea

Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 10:33 am
by TVGuy
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/11/21/fr ... port-says/
“I was trying to stay in the country,” Miller told NKNews.org. “They wanted me to leave. The very first night they said, ‘We want you to leave on the next flight.’ But I refused. I just did not leave.”


In the interview, Miller said his trip was not political. All he wanted to do was to talk to a North Korean about “normal things" and take a trip a normal tourist would not have taken.

“My main fear was that they would not arrest me when I arrived,” he said.

Miller intentionally damaged his visa on the way to Pyongyang' to raise government eye brows. He was reportedly moved to a guest house and his detainment did not actually start until five months after he arrived in North Korea.

Miller was sentenced to six years hard labor for committing “hostile acts.” Miller said he was prepared for the torture.
What is wrong with this guy? I think he may have suffered a brain injury.

Re: American wanted to stay in North Korea

Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 11:22 am
by The Annoyed Man
TVGuy wrote:http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/11/21/fr ... port-says/
“I was trying to stay in the country,” Miller told NKNews.org. “They wanted me to leave. The very first night they said, ‘We want you to leave on the next flight.’ But I refused. I just did not leave.”


In the interview, Miller said his trip was not political. All he wanted to do was to talk to a North Korean about “normal things" and take a trip a normal tourist would not have taken.

“My main fear was that they would not arrest me when I arrived,” he said.

Miller intentionally damaged his visa on the way to Pyongyang' to raise government eye brows. He was reportedly moved to a guest house and his detainment did not actually start until five months after he arrived in North Korea.

Miller was sentenced to six years hard labor for committing “hostile acts.” Miller said he was prepared for the torture.
What is wrong with this guy? I think he may have suffered a brain injury.
I think it depends on the motivation. I have a young friend whom I mentor who went to NK once on a mission trip. Ostensibly, it was a cultural visit; but his goal, and the goal of the trip organizers, was Christian missionary work. Me? I'm not a big risk-taker and I would never have done it myself. BUT.... I also believe that God's sovereignty does not stop at the North Korean border, and those poor people need Jesus more than anybody else on the planet. So..... while I'm not convinced that the story of the guy in this article is good motivation, neither am I convinced that it was his real reason. And, it is easy for me to believe that he might be willing to make any sacrifice in order to preach the good news and to set the captive free......if that was the real reason he went there.

Re: American wanted to stay in North Korea

Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 11:29 am
by TVGuy
The Annoyed Man wrote:
TVGuy wrote:http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/11/21/fr ... port-says/
“I was trying to stay in the country,” Miller told NKNews.org. “They wanted me to leave. The very first night they said, ‘We want you to leave on the next flight.’ But I refused. I just did not leave.”


In the interview, Miller said his trip was not political. All he wanted to do was to talk to a North Korean about “normal things" and take a trip a normal tourist would not have taken.

“My main fear was that they would not arrest me when I arrived,” he said.

Miller intentionally damaged his visa on the way to Pyongyang' to raise government eye brows. He was reportedly moved to a guest house and his detainment did not actually start until five months after he arrived in North Korea.

Miller was sentenced to six years hard labor for committing “hostile acts.” Miller said he was prepared for the torture.
What is wrong with this guy? I think he may have suffered a brain injury.
I think it depends on the motivation. I have a young friend whom I mentor who went to NK once on a mission trip. Ostensibly, it was a cultural visit; but his goal, and the goal of the trip organizers, was Christian missionary work. Me? I'm not a big risk-taker and I would never have done it myself. BUT.... I also believe that God's sovereignty does not stop at the North Korean border, and those poor people need Jesus more than anybody else on the planet. So..... while I'm not convinced that the story of the guy in this article is good motivation, neither am I convinced that it was his real reason. And, it is easy for me to believe that he might be willing to make any sacrifice in order to preach the good news and to set the captive free......if that was the real reason he went there.
TAM-

I appreciate your perspective, as I have been on mission trips over the years as well. Some of what this guy says sounds more like a masochist than a good-doer or someone spreading religion (my opinion).

Even if that was his fundamental reason for wanting to be there, I can't imagine anyone that would take the risk. There are so many people around the world that also need help, in places that wouldn't put yourself in that extreme danger.

I'm curious how much we spent to bring this guy back when he didn't want to leave.

Re: American wanted to stay in North Korea

Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 12:01 pm
by Abraham
He's an addled attention hog.

Re: American wanted to stay in North Korea

Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 12:07 pm
by Panzer Possum
He wanted to stay in North Korea. It sounds like he's getting what he wants. :thumbs2:

Re: American wanted to stay in North Korea

Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 12:16 pm
by TVGuy
Panzer Possum wrote:He wanted to stay in North Korea. It sounds like he's getting what he wants. :thumbs2:
He's one of the two prisoners we gave god knows what for to be released right after the mid-term elections. The other was Kenneth Bae.

He's back in America.