On the heels of a performance by a “Pyongyang exchange group of disabled persons” in the UK and France, North Korea has been using the event to
refute international condemnation of its human rights conditions, proclaiming
that disabled individuals enjoying happy lives under the state’s care.
“The participants presented their artistic
talents that are fulfilled thanks our socialist system and protection policy for the disabled,” Rodong Sinmun reported on March
16th. “The audience was deeply impressed to see those
with visual and hearing impediment and the physically crippled people singing
and dancing while playing accordion and kayagum as good as professionals. It
went on to add how “shocked imperialists countries must be shocked to witness the benefits and loving care bestowed on the disabled by the
[Chosun] Workers’ Party in this great socialist nation.”
In attendance at the event was Dermot Hudson, the Korean Friendship Association’s UK
representative, who during his visit the publication quotes as saying, “Disabled people in Chosun [North Korea], no different from other
workers, carry hope for the future, living an independent and creative life,” adding that the show provided a good opportunity to wash away the “human rights uproar” among “hostile powers” directed at North Korea.
“After the recent pressure from the
international community about its human rights violations, North Korea is on
the defensive, trying to show that human rights are protected by using disabled
artists as a pretext,” one senior defector told Daily NK on condition of anonymity. “There was an existing organization for the disabled
but the conditions were abysmal; any improved life conditions they try to show is propaganda targeting the international community.”
