Comments on: The Reluctant Communist: My Desertion, Court-Martial, and Forty-Year Imprisonment in North Korea http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/ Japan News Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:58:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Books to look forward to in 2008 | London Korean Links http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-163125 Books to look forward to in 2008 | London Korean Links Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:19:09 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-163125 [...] Due in March 2008 (or April for the UK edition), and available now for pre-order at Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk. It’s already available in Japanese - you can read an account over at DPRK Studies or Japan Probe. [...] [...] Due in March 2008 (or April for the UK edition), and available now for pre-order at Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk. It’s already available in Japanese – you can read an account over at DPRK Studies or Japan Probe. [...]

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: kaito http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-106917 kaito Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:20:54 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-106917 Japan isn't 3rd world... Japan isn’t 3rd world…

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: J-ude http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-106729 J-ude Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:27:53 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-106729 It's quite humorous to hear he had it bad; he was well fed, much more so than other North Koreans, had a house with electricity, and was given a compassionate wife and something to call a job. Had he lived anywhere else (USA or Japan) instead of joining the army and getting known for his N.K. stint, I can guarantee you he would neither have gotten married or lived as long as he has; I honestly believe he would have died living as an alcoholic hobo considering his poor ability to grasp even his native tongue and judgment skills. Defecting into North Korea, as dishonorable as it is, was the BEST thing he could ever do for his life, and he luckily did. The fact that he doesn't realize it or can't admit it shows that he is still a coward or is that blatantly stupid, and I say this because he simply doesn't consider the fact that many vets alive today, and many other young brave American soldiers who lose limbs in the line of duty, will not get the same luxuries he has had, simply because they did not betray their country and that kidnapping some 3rd world girls and giving them as brides is not something the government condones. It’s quite humorous to hear he had it bad; he was well fed, much more so than other North Koreans, had a house with electricity, and was given a compassionate wife and something to call a job.

Had he lived anywhere else (USA or Japan) instead of joining the army and getting known for his N.K. stint, I can guarantee you he would neither have gotten married or lived as long as he has; I honestly believe he would have died living as an alcoholic hobo considering his poor ability to grasp even his native tongue and judgment skills.

Defecting into North Korea, as dishonorable as it is, was the BEST thing he could ever do for his life, and he luckily did. The fact that he doesn’t realize it or can’t admit it shows that he is still a coward or is that blatantly stupid, and I say this because he simply doesn’t consider the fact that many vets alive today, and many other young brave American soldiers who lose limbs in the line of duty, will not get the same luxuries he has had, simply because they did not betray their country and that kidnapping some 3rd world girls and giving them as brides is not something the government condones.

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Jeff http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-106693 Jeff Mon, 26 Nov 2007 03:48:18 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-106693 I think you are right on (that they will think that). That was my first thought when I saw it (I'm an Army brat). I have little time for the man, though I admit it would be a fascinating book to read, but I am glad the military did what it did, for his wife's sake. She was kidnapped, lived for years in Nork, seems to love this guy - it was compassionate to let him off the hook for her sake, not his. I don't see the point in putting him in a US prison, but certainly stripping his US citizenship was appropriate. I think you are right on (that they will think that). That was my first thought when I saw it (I’m an Army brat).

I have little time for the man, though I admit it would be a fascinating book to read, but I am glad the military did what it did, for his wife’s sake.

She was kidnapped, lived for years in Nork, seems to love this guy – it was compassionate to let him off the hook for her sake, not his.

I don’t see the point in putting him in a US prison, but certainly stripping his US citizenship was appropriate.

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Elec http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-106686 Elec Mon, 26 Nov 2007 03:30:33 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-106686 Yeah, but that hasn't been exercised in years, and there are other punishments used in lieu. http://usmilitary.about.com/od/punitivearticles/a/mcm85_3.htm Also, http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/military_desertions_071115w/ Yeah, but that hasn’t been exercised in years, and there are other punishments used in lieu.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/punitivearticles/a/mcm85_3.htm

Also,
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/military_desertions_071115w/

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: VonSkippy http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-106671 VonSkippy Mon, 26 Nov 2007 01:21:38 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-106671 Christian - nope, atheist. American - wrong again, I'm a German Citizen (living/working in the US). People who abandon their military duties are the lowest of cowards - and the fact that this one still lives is a slap in the face for all the military people who took their commitment seriously (as I did, and am proud to have done so). You would think people from the land that invented Kamikaze (神風) would understand that. Christian – nope, atheist.
American – wrong again, I’m a German Citizen (living/working in the US).

People who abandon their military duties are the lowest of cowards – and the fact that this one still lives is a slap in the face for all the military people who took their commitment seriously (as I did, and am proud to have done so).

You would think people from the land that invented Kamikaze (神風) would understand that.

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: D-san http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-106655 D-san Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:42:31 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-106655 I'm in the U.S. Military and I think the penalty for desertion during wartime is still death. I’m in the U.S. Military and I think the penalty for desertion during wartime is still death.

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: kaito http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-106639 kaito Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:30:33 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-106639 Yup, such a humane, compassionate, and fair sentence for a man such as him, Vonskippy. /endsarcasm. By no means was what he did right, but his fate should not be put into the hands of people like you. He has made some mistakes in his life, we all have. He suffered severely for them and has learned to put others before him, and to accept the responsibilities of what he did back then. I do not regard him as a hero, but I do respect him for what he is Today and not years ago. Yup, such a humane, compassionate, and fair sentence for a man such as him, Vonskippy.

/endsarcasm.

By no means was what he did right, but his fate should not be put into the hands of people like you. He has made some mistakes in his life, we all have. He suffered severely for them and has learned to put others before him, and to accept the responsibilities of what he did back then.

I do not regard him as a hero, but I do respect him for what he is Today and not years ago.

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: shazzb0t http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-106634 shazzb0t Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:12:23 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-106634 Good ol' Christian American love speaking here. You people are monsters. Good ol’ Christian American love speaking here. You people are monsters.

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: James http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-106618 James Sun, 25 Nov 2007 21:44:26 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-106618 He couldn't train North Korean spies because he was poorly educated and speaks with a backwoods accent (I have troubled understanding what he's saying sometimes when he appears on TV). If anything, it was a drain of North Korean resources to feed him for so many years when he accomplished so little for them. He made a stupid decision to run away to North Korea, thinking he'd eventually be sent back to America and do prison time there. Instead he was forced to stay in North Korea for 40 years, which is probably worse than the punishment he would have received for attempted desertion (they don't shoot deserters anymore). He couldn’t train North Korean spies because he was poorly educated and speaks with a backwoods accent (I have troubled understanding what he’s saying sometimes when he appears on TV). If anything, it was a drain of North Korean resources to feed him for so many years when he accomplished so little for them.

He made a stupid decision to run away to North Korea, thinking he’d eventually be sent back to America and do prison time there. Instead he was forced to stay in North Korea for 40 years, which is probably worse than the punishment he would have received for attempted desertion (they don’t shoot deserters anymore).

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: VonSkippy http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-106611 VonSkippy Sun, 25 Nov 2007 20:54:47 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-106611 The guy's scum, and should have been shot for desertion instead of the slap on the hand 30 days in jail and a DD. The guy’s scum, and should have been shot for desertion instead of the slap on the hand 30 days in jail and a DD.

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: The Overthinker http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-106577 The Overthinker Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:22:47 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-106577 If I was stuck in Nork, I'd agree to it. I'd teach them all sorts of valuable information, like how, on arrival in the US, it is considered a gesture of respect to the police to stick your middle finger up at them. That will guarantee them a warm welcome.... If I was stuck in Nork, I’d agree to it. I’d teach them all sorts of valuable information, like how, on arrival in the US, it is considered a gesture of respect to the police to stick your middle finger up at them. That will guarantee them a warm welcome….

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Typhonsentra http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-106552 Typhonsentra Sun, 25 Nov 2007 16:18:58 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-106552 I'm interested, but that doesn't mean I'll buy the book. What he did was pretty terrible. I can understand being afraid to go to Vietnam, but the man betrayed his country and helped train North Korean spies. Given he wasn't successful but the fact that he even agreed to such a thing is disgraceful. I’m interested, but that doesn’t mean I’ll buy the book. What he did was pretty terrible. I can understand being afraid to go to Vietnam, but the man betrayed his country and helped train North Korean spies. Given he wasn’t successful but the fact that he even agreed to such a thing is disgraceful.

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Tact http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-106466 Tact Sun, 25 Nov 2007 11:08:45 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-106466 Given the fact that Jenkins was also given a dishonorable discharge from the US Army, I think there are a lot of veterans out there who will be deeply offended that Jenkins chose to use a photo of himself in his Army uniform for the front cover of his book. Given the fact that Jenkins was also given a dishonorable discharge from the US Army, I think there are a lot of veterans out there who will be deeply offended that Jenkins chose to use a photo of himself in his Army uniform for the front cover of his book.

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Bom livro para você « De Gustibus Non Est Disputandum http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/25/the-reluctant-communist-my-desertion-court-martial-and-forty-year-imprisonment-in-north-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-106445 Bom livro para você « De Gustibus Non Est Disputandum Sun, 25 Nov 2007 09:12:15 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3229#comment-106445 [...] Bom livro para você Novembro 25, 2007 Posted by claudio in bolivarianismo, movimentos sociais, socialismo, socialismo real. trackback Você, que chegou aqui procurando “movimentos sociais” ou “socialismo real” (hoje, conhecido como bolivarianismo, graças a Chávez, sr. da Silva e Morales), certamente gostará deste livro. Não, não é a volta do idiota, é a vida de um sujeito que fez o que você queria fazer, mas nunca teve coragem para tanto: fugiu para a Coréia do Norte, o paraíso de Marx. [...] [...] Bom livro para você Novembro 25, 2007 Posted by claudio in bolivarianismo, movimentos sociais, socialismo, socialismo real. trackback Você, que chegou aqui procurando “movimentos sociais” ou “socialismo real” (hoje, conhecido como bolivarianismo, graças a Chávez, sr. da Silva e Morales), certamente gostará deste livro. Não, não é a volta do idiota, é a vida de um sujeito que fez o que você queria fazer, mas nunca teve coragem para tanto: fugiu para a Coréia do Norte, o paraíso de Marx. [...]

Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]>