[imText1]“I will not leave my post until I collapse.”
North Korean human rights activist, Norbert Vollertsen, has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 8 days in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The strike began on July 11th, in protest to urge the Korean government to take action on and responsibility for the improvement of North Korea human rights.
He said that he will starve like the citizens in North Korea. Vollersten first went to North Korea as a volunteer for humanitarian aid work and offer medical assistance. The turning point came when he saw a young soldier lying dead on the ground, ruthlessly beaten and abandoned.
On meeting Vollertsen in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, he looked haggard, yet his face was full of determination. He has drawn a lot of attention as a foreigner protesting the government, that we South Koreans should be responsible for. Why has he chosen to embark on a hunger strike, a strategy uncommon to foreigners?
The reason is that as a German he cannot understand why the Korean government does not take action for their people in the North, oppressed and dying of hunger. As a witness to the unification of East and West Germany, Vollertsen anticipates the day when North and South Korea will be reunited.
At present, Vollertsen is holding a sign declaring “Freedom for North Koreans” and is sitting on a chair as his strength has quickly deteriorated after not eaten for 8 days. After a full day of protest, at night he sleeps either on nearby park bench or in a corner a few meters away from the entrance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Even amidst the monsoon rain, Vollertsen has not moved from his post.
In regard to why he began the hunger strike, Vollersten says that he is “Fed-up!” with the Korean government. In the past, he has tried some ‘crazy’ protests, but with little success. He believes that now it is the time to take an approach on par with the Korean government actions, passive and polite.
He said “The South Korean government is not waking up to the reality in North Korea. The truth is right in front of their face, and if the South Korean government will not act, who will? I will petition until the South Korean government realizes and takes action for North Korean human rights reform.”
Also, he said “As the ministers and politicians pass by the gates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and see my sign, I hope that they will think of the children in North Korea.” In regards to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he stated “Ban Ki Moon wants to be the next U.N. secretary-general. If he neglects the truth about North Korea and takes no action, what will he do at the U.N.?”
[imText2]When asked if he felt tired, he said “Whenever I feel tired, I look at the North Korean children (on the picket). How can I tire when I see their poor faces?” He said that the suffering he is enduring now is nothing compared to the suffering of the people and in particular the children of North Korea, and that the hunger strike will be over “when I fall down and I get taken to the hospital.”
In 1999, Vollertsen offered to participate in humanitarian aid and offered medical assistance in North Korea for 18 months. He was awarded a Friendship Medal for his medical assistance to the North Korean people, in particular for skin grafting. However, after realizing the truth about North Korean human rights he wanted to take action, but as a result was eventually exiled from North Korea.
After being exiled from North Korea, Vollertsen has participated in various movements for North Korean human rights awareness. In addition, he published a book about his experiences in North Korea, ‘Diary of a Mad Place’ in 2001.
It will be interesting to observe how the government reacts to Vollertsen’s hunger strike.
