I don't mean to sound culturally insensitive but I read the New York Times today about the Olympic torch being carried though Seoul and the protests and scuffle that ensued between the Chinese supporters and Koreans: Two men, North Korean defectors, tried to set light to themselves in protest at the inhumane treatment of North Korean refugees in China. This is one form of protest that I cannot understand. In Korea it is common for a protest to get out of hand, there are so many. People have been known to set themselves on fire, cut off their fingers and throw themselves to their demise in the Han River. I mean I understand the gravity of the situation and how strongly people feel about it, as they should; it is horrendous what goes on in North Korea and the International governments choose to ignore the gross inhumanity. But, why kill yourself? Especially after you managed to escape from the regime... Surely you could do more good alive? Maybe I'm missing the point.
