Women Cross DMZ Responds to NK News Column “Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think of regime sympathizers?””
December 7, 2021
Posted in: News
NOTE: On December 1, 2021, NK News posted an article titled “Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think of regime sympathizers?” by Alek Sigley. This article contained false statements about Women Cross DMZ intended to undermine our reputation and credibility. On December 2, 2021, we sent the following email to editor Bryan Betts in order to correct the misinformation. Unfortunately, NK News refused our request to correct the false information and post our response on their website. We are posting our response here in order to set the record straight.
Dear Bryan Betts,
I am writing on behalf of Women Cross DMZ in regards to a recent article you edited, “Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think of regime sympathizers?” by Alek Sigley.
In the article, North Korean defector Hyun-seung Lee references Women Cross DMZ in the same sentence as “Korean Americans who support the North.” He goes on to describe our group as “pawns in North Korea’s propaganda operations” and “pro-North outsiders.” That Lee is a vocal opponent of peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula and works for One Korea Network, which openly opposes ending the war, and the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, which advocates for maximum pressure against North Korea, are reasons enough to discredit — or, at the very least, seriously question the motives for — his comments about our organization. Worse yet, his remarks about Women Cross DMZ are patently false, have zero basis in fact, and recklessly disregard the truth about our organization, which is that we are funded by US-based foundations and individual donors, none of whom are based in North Korea or have any ties to the North Korean government. Nowhere in our literature, speeches, media, or reports have we praised the North Korean regime. Being pro-peace and pro-engagement does not equal supporting any government.
Calling our organization “pro-North” is, quite frankly, a lazy and Cold War way of attacking us and our message of peace. Lee’s opinions cannot be framed as representative of North Koreans or even as an impartial North Korean defector since Lee apparently has financial incentive to discredit our organization and our pro-peace work. Furthermore, publishing his statements that are without merit or basis in fact — and without mentioning his financial ties to organizations that have a stake in maintaining a hawkish stance toward North Korea — undermines NK News’ credibility.
As the United States and South Korea consider an end-of-war declaration, and momentum for ending the Korean War continues to gain traction in Congress, we hope NK News will consider more nuanced, fact-based, realistic perspectives on this issue and refrain from simply repeating baseless accusations about pro-peace groups that only aim to discredit us rather than further the discussion in constructive ways about how to build lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Thank you for your attention.