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The
Safety of Reporters
We are often asked, gIsnft this dangerous for the reporters?h
When thinking about the situation in North Korea today, the
only answer we can give is, gOf course. It is extremely dangerous.h
In a country whose authorities strictly regulate what people
see, hear, say, and where they move, these reporters cannot
do what they do without risking their lives.
Furthermore, North Korean authorities would most likely view
as espionage or treason the reportersf spiriting of secretly
taken videos and reports outside North Korean borders for
distribution to the outside world. Reporters take these risks
because they have a strong will to let the world know the
reality in North Korea and inspire a desire to improve the
situation there.
We believe that the more Rimjin-gang grows, the more it will
gain readers around the world ? and as knowledge of the reality
of North Korea spreads, the reaction from the North Korean
administration will gradually grow harsher. There is no doubt
that the reports and images that will be published here will
be labeled gconspiracy,h gfabrication,h and gespionage.h
The Rimjin-gang editing team may be accused of acting as an
ganti-North Korean organization maneuvered by the Japan-US
Imperialist Powers.h However, we will not budge in our stance
and we will continue our journalistic activities as always.
The facts are what are important to us. As North Korean authorities
raise their voices in accusation it will provide evidence
that the new information from North Korea we have reported
contains truth. For our journalists, hearing the strong reactions
of the North Korean authorities will be like receiving a medal
of honor.
We do not mind receiving harsh criticisms and verbal attacks
from the authorities of North Korea, but what we are worried
about is the safety of the reporters inside North Korea. North
Korean authorities may grow desperate to find and capture
these reporters.
Therefore, we on the outside are doing everything in our power
to maintain their safety. Beyond changing their, articles
are written carefully so as not to provide
any information that will endanger the reporters.
For these reasons, information about the locations and times
of events may be camouflaged to the extent that it will not
falsify the more substantive content of the article. Even
then, we cannot say that their safety is 100 percent protected.
Thus we leave it up to the reporters themselves to decide
whether they want to continue or not. gEven if we are eventually
caught, I believe that we will not regret what wefve done.
No matter how much I think about it, we are working for justice.h
These are the words of our lead reporter, Lee Jun. However,
if there is a situation in which our reporters are detained
because of their activities as journalists and are in danger,
the Rimjin-gang editing team will do everything in its power
to save our reporters.
We want to make clear that we have every intention to bring
together journalists from around the globe, along with people
concerned about the citizens of North Korea and human rights
organiza tions, to fight against North Korean authorities.
The main constituents of Rimjin-gang are the citizens of North
Korea who have had their freedom of expression completely
taken away from them. Since such people are our reporters,
there are some sections in the reports that show lack of experience.
However, as the saying goes, gThe citizenfs heart is the heart
of the heavens.h We believe we will be able to find the voice
of the nation, which will provide the strength to change North
Korean society.
We would also like to point out that in a society where citizens
cannot openly express their feelings and thoughts, people
are beginning to express their true feelings through the efforts
of the reporters in North Korea. The deep prayers of the North
Koreans permeate each article published in Rimjin-gang. We
hope that the reader will be able to hear their prayers through
these articles.
Rimjin-gang Editorial Staff
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