[The_AK]

edit* dude SENDS, not seconds *** =@
Whats a great way to help a neighboring nation in need? Send them relief money. At least thats what Kim Jong Il did... even though resources are scarce.

News article:


SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has sent half a million dollars to aid Korean expatriates in Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami, Pyongyang's official news agency said on Thursday.

Decades of tightly controlled economic policy that has seen North Korea channel much of its scarce resources to arms development has left the country acutely short of cash although its leaders continue to live lavishly, according to South Korean news reports. Food is also reportedly scarce.
Japan, formerly Korea's colonial master, is frequently lambasted as a "war monger" in North Korea's state-controlled media along with South Korea and the United States.

"Leader Kim Jong-il sent (a) relief fund of 500,000 U.S. dollars to Korean residents in Japan who suffered from the killer quake and tsunami happened there," KCNA news agency said.

Half a million U.S. dollars is equivalent to the annual average income earned by 520 North Koreans in all of 2009, according to Bank of Korea data.
U.N. sanctions in 2009 imposed for its nuclear and missile tests that defied international warnings have further cut into North Korea's finances, choking off much of its lucrative arms trade.

The North's Red Cross has separately sent $100,000 in disaster relief for its residents in Japan, KCNA said.


Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42241686

[Wongtouski]

How about he take that money and spend it on his own people, not to shit his good deed....

[RCubed]

This guy needs to get his priorities straight. The whole country is essentially supported by foreign aid and yet he can still "afford" to do this.

[trip]

i think its more of a PR thing

[Santofu]

Wow, is it just me or he is a racist to everyone except his own culture?

[Oleophobic]

he's still an asshole

[Matlock]

How is he going to send it specifically to the Koreans, while filtering out everyone else?

How many Koreans are there in Japan? According to Google the population was 127,560,000 in 2009. Maybe there are half a million or more Koreans. Maybe. Do they get $1 or less each?

I also watched a documentary before showing how Koreans were discriminated against by much of the Japanese unless they were to change their names to Japanese names. Does this relief money go to any of the Koreans which did change their names over?

[RCubed]

How is he going to send it specifically to the Koreans, while filtering out everyone else?

How many Koreans are there in Japan? According to Google the population was 127,560,000 in 2009. Maybe there are half a million or more Koreans. Maybe. Do they get $1 or less each?

I also watched a documentary before showing how Koreans were discriminated against by much of the Japanese unless they were to change their names to Japanese names. Does this relief money go to any of the Koreans which did change their names over?
Under the "Household Register" system in Japan. Japanese have household registers in Japan, where as Koreans in Japan (even with Japanese names) have household registers in Korea.

[RCubed]

Wow, is it just me or he is a racist to everyone except his own culture?

DPRK has always had anti-Japanese sentiment; in fact, the creation of DPRK was based on anti-japanese, anti-japanese-collaborator ideals. Most of which we're arguably justified by the Japanese annexation of Korea back in 1910.

[SkinnyPupp]

Wow, is it just me or he is a racist to everyone except his own culture?
Dude he's so far beyond racist.... He is literally evil. No jokes or hyperbole.

[k3mps]

i agree, but beyond evil.
many of my korean buddies get bitched at by people of all races, because they assume they support kim devil jong.
even though they are southK, and are disgusted with northK.

[twitchyzero]

one of his citizens in DPRK probably starved to death since this thread was created.

[Mr.Money]

he's still an asshole

don't forget,some Korean's are sick in the fuckin head that don't deserve to be in canada too


shitload of koreans were at boss tonight, funny story though. some chick came up to me

girl *grabs me and dances with me for a bit*

girl: u korean?

me: no?

girl *walks away*

me: :alone:

pretty wasted right now :fullofwin:

[RCubed]

one of his citizens in DPRK probably starved to death since this thread was created.

This seems like a ruse to get international attention as international aid and funding has been cut due to the nuclear facilities and re-branding of aid packages.

Its sad how all the aid gets censored and repackaged as "gifts from the 'Great Leader'" to give to the people after most of it is taken up by the army.

Of course, in this military dictatorship, the people dont matter to him. Its the size of the army.

Recently, there was a report saying how even the soldiers in the army were starving and malnourished. If most of the aid goes to the army and even they are staving, I cant imaging the people of DPRK.

[busdriverman]

500 000 USD is equal to roughly the average annual salary of 520 koreans, which means that roughly an average north korean makes 1000 USD a year

man those numbers are extremely pressing and really brings to like the economic turmoil the country is in...that bastard needs to invest in his own ppl firsT!

[RCubed]

500 000 USD is equal to roughly the average annual salary of 520 koreans, which means that roughly an average north korean makes 1000 USD a year

man those numbers are extremely pressing and really brings to like the economic turmoil the country is in...that bastard needs to invest in his own ppl firsT!

The thing is, there is pretty much no economy in the country. Villages in the countryside have resorted to bartering.
The country has no infrastructure for heavy industry; refuses to manufacture in the light industry as it has no military gain. They have very little agricultural production as most arable land has been destroyed by unbalanced fertilizer use (where the phosphorous in the fertilizers are going to the army) and massive deforestation for fuel as fuel sanctions have been imposed by the US/UN.

[asian_XL]

regardless it is $5 or $500K, we should say thankyou afterall.

[RevYouUp]

http://tvrefill.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/north-korea-is-best-korea.jpg

[RCubed]

regardless it is $5 or $500K, we should say thankyou afterall.

Not to be overly cynical, but it strikes me as primarily a propaganda exercise on the part of the North. Past experience makes me doubt that he has purely altruistic motives.

[codys]

the question we need to ask is, why is he even sending any relief at all if his country is in such turmoil

[twitchyzero]

Recently, there was a report saying how even the soldiers in the army were starving and malnourished. If most of the aid goes to the army and even they are staving, I cant imaging the people of DPRK.

and quite honestly..we will never know the truth until the current regime falls.

[liu13]

didnt think he had that side in him

good to hear, regardless of his motivations

[RFlush]

How about he take that money and spend it on his own people, not to shit his good deed....

Why?

[Meowjin]

Why?

...:speechless::speechless:

[RFlush]

...:speechless::speechless:

You're not really answering my question, although not directed at you. If you would like to state why you agree, please do so so I can read it.

[AzNightmare]

lol, nice try being the good guy.
You ain't fooling no one.

[Zoidberg]

F**king asshole

[RCubed]

Why?
You're not really answering my question, although not directed at you. If you would like to state why you agree, please do so so I can read it.


____
This seems like a ruse to get international attention as international aid and funding has been cut due to the nuclear facilities and re-branding of aid packages.

Its sad how all the aid gets censored and repackaged as "gifts from the 'Great Leader'" to give to the people after most of it is taken up by the army.

Of course, in this military dictatorship, the people dont matter to him. Its the size of the army.

Recently, there was a report saying how even the soldiers in the army were starving and malnourished. If most of the aid goes to the army and even they are staving, I cant imaging the people of DPRK.

The thing is, there is pretty much no economy in the country. Villages in the countryside have resorted to bartering.
The country has no infrastructure for heavy industry; refuses to manufacture in the light industry as it has no military gain. They have very little agricultural production as most arable land has been destroyed by unbalanced fertilizer use (where the phosphorous in the fertilizers are going to the army) and massive deforestation for fuel as fuel sanctions have been imposed by the US/UN.

You can hate the Kim Jong Il and DPRK all you want, but the people there are still, people. To question why he should spend money on his own country is stupid.

[The7even]

I love the retards who think this gesture is a sign of good will. Idiots like liu, asian_xl and RFlush are the reason dictators have a chance to exist.

Hitler kills 6 million, but he loved his fucking dog, must say, Hitler ain't so bad after all..oh wait.. derp.

RFlush, not sure if trolling, or just stupid.

[RFlush]

You can hate the Kim Jong Il and DPRK all you want, but the people there are still, people. To question why he should spend money on his own country is stupid.

I love the retards who think this gesture is a sign of good will. Idiots like liu, asian_xl and RFlush are the reason dictators have a chance to exist.

Hitler kills 6 million, but he loved his fucking dog, must say, Hitler ain't so bad after all..oh wait.. derp.

RFlush, not sure if trolling, or just stupid.
I can assure you that I am no troll, but both of you fail to understand the grasp of my question, so I guess I will have to outline it more clear for you.

Kim Jong Ill donating $500,000USD to Japan is no different compared to any other government or individual giving money to Japan. Each country has their own problems, yet we still give money to Japan because of this disaster. How is Kim Jong Ill any different compared to any other who donates money?

If your argument is that because there are more poor people in the DPRK, then why would you or any other government body give money to Japan, the 3rd largest economy in the world, over lets say a third world country in Africa? What about the poor people there?

Sure his donation might have some other meaning behind it, but regardless, $500,000USD to Japan is sure good compared to him spending $500,000USD on hookers and blow for himself. I do not know DPRK's fiscal policies, and neither do any of you, but I can almost assure you that if he did not donate that money, that sum would probably NOT go to the people within N.Korea anyways.

I guess none of you can really think outside the box.

[lowda9]

I can assure you that I am no troll, but both of you fail to understand the grasp of my question, so I guess I will have to outline it more clear for you.

Kim Jong Ill donating $500,000USD to Japan is no different compared to any other government or individual giving money to Japan. Each country has their own problems, yet we still give money to Japan because of this disaster. How is Kim Jong Ill any different compared to any other who donates money?

If your argument is that because there are more poor people in the DPRK, then why would you or any other government body give money to Japan, the 3rd largest economy in the world, over lets say a third world country in Africa? What about the poor people there?

Sure his donation might have some other meaning behind it, but regardless, $500,000USD to Japan is sure good compared to him spending $500,000USD on hookers and blow for himself. I do not know DPRK's fiscal policies, and neither do any of you, but I can almost assure you that if he did not donate that money, that sum would probably NOT go to the people within N.Korea anyways.

I guess none of you can really think outside the box.

I agree. As evil as he is, Kim Jong il knows what hes doing.

[RCubed]

I can assure you that I am no troll, but both of you fail to understand the grasp of my question, so I guess I will have to outline it more clear for you.

Kim Jong Ill donating $500,000USD to Japan is no different compared to any other government or individual giving money to Japan. Each country has their own problems, yet we still give money to Japan because of this disaster. How is Kim Jong Ill any different compared to any other who donates money?

If your argument is that because there are more poor people in the DPRK, then why would you or any other government body give money to Japan, the 3rd largest economy in the world, over lets say a third world country in Africa? What about the poor people there?

Sure his donation might have some other meaning behind it, but regardless, $500,000USD to Japan is sure good compared to him spending $500,000USD on hookers and blow for himself. I do not know DPRK's fiscal policies, and neither do any of you, but I can almost assure you that if he did not donate that money, that sum would probably NOT go to the people within N.Korea anyways.

I guess none of you can really think outside the box.

You fail to see where the money initially comes from and where its going to. Most of the legitimate money are coming to DPRK through North Korean collaborators in Japan. This money is getting sent back to those collaborators.

[RFlush]

You fail to see where the money initially comes from and where its going to. Most of the legitimate money are coming to DPRK through North Korean collaborators in Japan. This money is getting sent back to those collaborators.

Do you have any sources for this claim?

From what I have read, most of North Korea's legitimate and illegitimate money comes from trade with China in products such as coal and iron.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-15/north-korea-exports-to-china-show-birthday-boy-kim-s-back-door-reprieve.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-09/china-to-sign-deal-to-mine-north-korean-rare-earths-yonhap-says.html

[RCubed]

Do you have any sources for this claim?

From what I have read, most of North Korea's legitimate and illegitimate money comes from trade with China in products such as coal and iron.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-15/north-korea-exports-to-china-show-birthday-boy-kim-s-back-door-reprieve.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-09/china-to-sign-deal-to-mine-north-korean-rare-earths-yonhap-says.html

Yes I do, I have a lot of sources if you want. Im minoring in Asian studies.
PM me if you want them.

There was little trade since China signed treaties with Japan in 1978. This is because of DPRK's 'Juche' mentality of self-sufficiency. Trade restarted recently.

DPRK defaulted on huge loans from China and Russia back in the 70s. A large chunk of the money made from Chinese trade is paid back to China.

[RFlush]

Just post them here, would like to read them.

And you still have not answered my initial question of how do you value one life over someone else?

Yes it is sad that people in DPRK are dying everyday it is also sad that people in the US or Africa dying. Yet governments still donate to 1st world countries when a natural disaster happens. How is Kim Jong I'll any different?

Again, I don't know the full economics in DPRK but I highly doubt that money would of gone to the people anyways unless you have data that shows how the donation is cut directly from public spending, given the lavish life of Kim and his family compared to the poor life of the people, the money would probably be spent on his son or something.

So instead of just failing people, why not answer a legitimate question.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[The7even]

RFlush, my point still stands, he should have spent that money on his people.
We all just find it suspicious that while his people are starving and eating clay, he's giving out 500,000 to Japan just to save face basically.

If he really cared about people, any people other than him self, he wouldn't be a brutal dictator who oppresses his own people.

He knows that 500,000 isn't anything to him, but what it will accomplish is priceless.. well, most of us see past the BS, anyway.

[dignatas]

lets imagine hitler giving money to some relief before he killed millions. This is the same... HE DUN GOOF

[RFlush]

RFlush, my point still stands, he should have spent that money on his people.
We all just find it suspicious that while his people are starving and eating clay, he's giving out 500,000 to Japan just to save face basically.

If he really cared about people, any people other than him self, he wouldn't be a brutal dictator who oppresses his own people.

He knows that 500,000 isn't anything to him, but what it will accomplish is priceless.. well, most of us see past the BS, anyway.

I agree that he should not be a brutal dictator, but you cannot say that giving $500,000 to the Koreans in Japan is bad because most likely, the money would of gone to himself instead. So is $500,000 to the people in Japan better or $500,000 to himself better?

Obviously giving to the people in DPRK is optimal; but he, like others donate money to whatever is popular at the time.

[RCubed]

I agree that he should not be a brutal dictator, but you cannot say that giving $500,000 to the Koreans in Japan is bad because most likely, the money would of gone to himself instead. So is $500,000 to the people in Japan better or $500,000 to himself better?

Obviously giving to the people in DPRK is optimal; but he, like others donate money to whatever is popular at the time.
There are ulterior motives behind this gift I guess they general public doesn't look into the economic affairs of DPRK.

Here are a couple of readings you might want to take a look at.

North Korean Economy Between Crisis & Catastrophe
by Nick Eberstadt
North Korea : ideology, politics, economy
by Han S. Park.

Ill dig up some review papers I cited.

[RFlush]

There are ulterior motives behind this gift I guess they general public doesn't look into the economic affairs of DPRK.

Here are a couple of readings you might want to take a look at.

North Korean Economy Between Crisis & Catastrophe
by Nick Eberstadt
North Korea : ideology, politics, economy
by Han S. Park.

Ill dig up some review papers I cited.

There might be ulterior motives, but the fact remains $500,000USD going towards people, regardless where and who they are is a GOOD thing. That was my point that some of you seemed to miss.

[van_driver]

http://images1.memegenerator.net/ImageMacro/4591098/Futures-so-bright-I-need-shades.jpg?imageSize=Medium&generatorName=Kim-Jong-IL

[CanadaGoose]

$500,000 is nothing for him. F*ck him.

[BBMme]

^
damn right
it's his country, let him do what he wants
when you have your own, you can decide if it's worth donating 500k to a country in need eh

[asian_XL]

His son who lives in Macau, China, gets $500K usd every year to gamble and spending allowance (according to the news) $500K is nothing.

For the two idiots who failed me earlier. Kim had showed intention to build relationship with his neighbours in the past. Ignore the fact he abducted the smarties from Japan and Korea, he actually spent quite a lot of money on trading with Japan.

Like other just said, who cares how he runs his country. Donation is donation, even the Japanese rejects the money, a thank you is necessary. Please tell us how much you have donated in this event?

[pastarocket]

This dictator should be spending the 500 grand to help North Koreans first. He sure knows his priorities.

[Ronin]

Isn't North Korea on the brink of famine right now?