More background on the nexus between online #hate, christian #fundamentalist zealots, and conservative politics in #korea - at which #ParkSangHak aka. "balloon dude" appears right at the intersection.
https://www.9dashline.com/article/conservative-zealots-evangelical-politics-in-south-korea
Ladies and gentlemen, activist Park SangHak, brave defender of north korean human rights, recipient of human rights foundation award, assaulter of journalists, pepper-sprayer of cops, cheerleader of far-right woman hating, gwangju-denying incels on the internet.
He's a complicated man
For some background on far-right groups in korea, here is a thesis called "Web of Hatred" about #ilbe of which #ParkSangHak, recipient of oslo freedomn forum's havel prize, is a member.
https://our.unc.edu/abstract/kim-the-web-of-hatred-an-analysis-of-online-hatred-in-south-korea/
#ParkSangHak #Korea #SouthKorea
Perhaps the gap between virulent North Korean communist and virulent South Korean Anti-Communist isn't quite the chasm we imagine it to be...
More like a slight shuffle, or half-step.
Okay, he's a passionate anti-communist!
#ParkSangHak is actually a north korean defector who lived a privileged life as a high-ranking part of the North Korean elite. He left during the famine, thanks to the wealth and connections of his family.
Apparently family members who were left behind were murdered or severely punished for this. Which is awful stuff.
But what's striking is how easily former North Korean regime members seem to slot into south korean conservatism.
"It is said that the tree of peace lives off blood and that freedom is not free. Somebody has to sacrifice themselves, so if I'm killed by Kim Jong Un’s gun, it'll be an honor." -- #ParkSangHak
Presumably that also includes the blood of journalists whose head you've smashed in with bricks...
#ParkSangHak leader of "Fighters for a Free North Korea" was asked to comment on the situation when the balloon launches to the north were banned.
He assaulted the journalists with a brick. One was hospitalized with a concussion. When police showed up, he attacked them with pepper spray.
A two year prison sentence was recommended.
Video contains violence.
https://www.blueroofpolitics.com/post/balloon-launching-north-korean-defector-assaults-journalists/
소주한잔