Journalist Barbaric Amiel once wrote “Totalitarianism is Feudalism in the 12th century sense of the word”.
Unfortunately, this is the case for over 30 million people in North Korea living under a form of modern Feudalism termed the “Songbun”. Within this system, it is not your accomplishments or ability that brings upward mobility and a better life, but rather your family’s allegiance to the Kim dynasty. The key word is “family”’s allegiance, not yours. Consider the case of Choi Seung Chol, who woke up at 6am everyday to clean the shrine of former leader Kim Il-Sung, became head of the youth communist party at his school, and achieved top marks. Yet, when it came time for admissions to the prestigious elite universities situated in North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, he was denied. His rejection was not from lack of ability but due to his grandfather’s perceived disloyalty towards the Kim dynasty during the 1950’s. This is emblematic of an even more disturbing policy within North Korea, the so termed “Three Generations Policy” calls for three generations of a family to be punished for perceived disloyalty against the Kim dynasty, with consequences ranging from labour camps, relocation to distant, isolated villages, or even the systematic execution of the family. It is in this climate that many refugees flee North Korea, where they are subject to be sent back if caught by neighbouring states, most likely to their deaths. Thus, Canada, as a strong proponent of human rights should strive to aid the refugees who escape and seek refuge in safe countries: where your social mobility is not restricted via perceived disloyalty of your grandfather, but dependent on your ability. Source.
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