Kang Chol-hwan reception a success

Thanks to the hard work of RAK members, the reception with Kang Chol-hwan on October 9 was a great success.

About 136 people came out to the Seoul Club to Hear Kang speak on his struggles as a teenage political prisoner and his views on how to best deal with North Korea's appalling human rights record.  The reception was jointly sponsored by Republicans Abroad-Korea and Democrats Abroad-Korea.

Here is a some of what Kang said at the reception:

"[The South Korean Government] should have asked for transparency in return for the food aid," Kang said in a speech to a crowd comprised largely of foreigners living in Seoul. 

"That kind of attitude is extending the tyranny in North Korea and is extending the suffering of the North Korean people," he said in his first major speech since returning to South Korea....

"The North Korea regime can say 'no' to international assistance because they can get all the help they need from South Korea," Kang said through an interpreter....

"I have always been working to improve the human rights situation in North Korea since I arrived in the South. Since meeting President Bush, a lot more people are paying attention to what I have to say," Kang said.

Those at the head table were; Kang, RAK Chairman John Lee, DAK Chairman Nate Hilts, RAK Executive Director Andy Jackson, Ambassador Tomas Smetanka of the Czech Republic, Political Counsellor Martin Quinn of the Australian Embassy, DAK Military Liaison Gene Gerth and Mr Kang's translator.

A lot of members put in a great deal of work to make this a success:  Carolyn Mosteller and Maria Brown handled the reception table (with some help from Kurt Mohay and DAK's Gene Gerth).  George Geddes did a lot of work on coordinating with the Democrats and the host site.  Mike Choi helped with getting our message out.  I helped some too.

The biggest thanks go out to the people who gave our event its two most essential elements.  John Lee secured Kang Chol-hwan for the event and Bob Gilbert's work got us at least half of the 136 people who attended. 

While we are thanking people, we should express our gratitude to AMCHAM and the European Union Chamber of Commerce for letting us advertise to their members; Ambassador Smetanka, Martin Quinn and other members of the diplomatic community for coming and Ashley Cheeseman and his staff at Seoul Club for their work to make the event run smoothly.  Thanks also to Democrats Abroad for agreeing to cosponsor the event.

UPDATE:  Bob Gilbert has sent some photos of the event:

RAK's Bob Gilbert with Kang Chol-Hwan

The front third of the reception hall.

Left:  RAK's Carolyn Mosteller (left) and Maria Brown.  Right:  Kang Chol-hwan

Head Table:  (left to right) Mr Kang's translator, DAK's Gene Gerth, Political Counsellor Martin Quinn of the Australian Embassy and Ambassador Tomas Smetanka of the Czech Republic.

Head Table:  (left to right) Kang Chol-hwan, RAK Chairman John Lee, DAK Chairman Nate Hilts.  The empty seat belongs to RAK's Andy Jackson, who was at the podium.