By Will Ripley
CNN
Pyongyang, North Korea (CNN)When officials informed us that we'd be granted a sit-down interview with a high-ranking member of North Korea's inner circle with no preconditions, it was a real surprise.
Senior figures in Pyongyang don't do interviews, especially not with the international press.
"I do not like talking to foreign media," Park Yong Chol said frankly as we shook hands ahead of our meeting. He said that we report rumor and fabrication about his country.
Park is the deputy director of the DPRK Institute for Research into National Reunification -- a think tank with links to the highest levels of North Korea's government.
In spite of his misgivings, he sat down to talk with us beneath the ubiquitous portraits of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Our conversation lasted nearly two hours and no topic was off limits.
The only instruction we were given was to break from our traditional CNN interview format of two chairs facing each other, so that we could sit across a large conference table, and so that the two portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il could be seen directly over Park. We agreed to do this, as our government guides explained the symbolism of the Great Leaders appearing overhead was very important to their country.
We quickly got onto a touchy subject: the recent reports from South Korea's National Intelligence Agency that Kim Jong Un had personally ordered the execution of 15 officials so far this year.
"Malicious slander!" he replied. "Especially as they try to link the allegations against to the august name of our Supreme Leader Marshall Kim Jong Un."
Pyongyang, North Korea (CNN)When officials informed us that we'd be granted a sit-down interview with a high-ranking member of North Korea's inner circle with no preconditions, it was a real surprise.
Senior figures in Pyongyang don't do interviews, especially not with the international press.
"I do not like talking to foreign media," Park Yong Chol said frankly as we shook hands ahead of our meeting. He said that we report rumor and fabrication about his country.
Park is the deputy director of the DPRK Institute for Research into National Reunification -- a think tank with links to the highest levels of North Korea's government.
CNN's Will Ripley sits down with Park Yong Chol
In spite of his misgivings, he sat down to talk with us beneath the ubiquitous portraits of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Our conversation lasted nearly two hours and no topic was off limits.
The only instruction we were given was to break from our traditional CNN interview format of two chairs facing each other, so that we could sit across a large conference table, and so that the two portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il could be seen directly over Park. We agreed to do this, as our government guides explained the symbolism of the Great Leaders appearing overhead was very important to their country.
We quickly got onto a touchy subject: the recent reports from South Korea's National Intelligence Agency that Kim Jong Un had personally ordered the execution of 15 officials so far this year.
"Malicious slander!" he replied. "Especially as they try to link the allegations against to the august name of our Supreme Leader Marshall Kim Jong Un."
But he did not deny that executions take place here of those who try to overthrow the government or subvert the system. "It is very normal for any country to go after hostile elements and punish them and execute them."
Rights abuses
And even though a recent United Nations report has alleged large-scale human rights abuses -- murder, starvation and torture of inmates in a network of brutal prison camps -- Park denied that such camps exist. He said although there were correction reform centers for ordinary criminals, political prison camps simply did not exist. "Our society is a society without political strife or factions or political divisions -- as a result we don't have the term 'political prisoner,'" he added.
According to Park, these allegations come from defectors who are enticed or forced into defecting by the U.S. and South Korea. "Some of the so-called defectors are criminals who ran away from their homes. They committed crimes against the state here. Because of that they ran away.
Rights abuses
And even though a recent United Nations report has alleged large-scale human rights abuses -- murder, starvation and torture of inmates in a network of brutal prison camps -- Park denied that such camps exist. He said although there were correction reform centers for ordinary criminals, political prison camps simply did not exist. "Our society is a society without political strife or factions or political divisions -- as a result we don't have the term 'political prisoner,'" he added.
According to Park, these allegations come from defectors who are enticed or forced into defecting by the U.S. and South Korea. "Some of the so-called defectors are criminals who ran away from their homes. They committed crimes against the state here. Because of that they ran away.
To read rest of the story, click on link: http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/07/asia/north-korea-official-interview/index.html
5 comments:
Will "believe it or not" Ripley is also the one who insinuated that the man killed by Mexican druggies at Falcon Lake was done by his wife. That makes you a moron Will. I remember you leaving Channel 5 shortly after.
Working for the Communist News Network owned by Ted Turner is actually a move down and not up in the news business. Any more TALL tales Will??
Way to go Will Ripley!! You always did great interviews and great stories, and I do know fir a FACT that because of one of those stories back in 2009 Gus Reynas and the Sheriff, threatened you, that if you go forward with it, you would be stonewalled (and fired) and you were.
AND LOOK AT YOU !!! GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS!!!!
Good story Juan, The blimp and the imp always write about what is bad in the area. It is refreshing to read about people that have made it big that are products of the valley. Good job Will!
Every decent reporter both TV and print gets the hell out of the valley as soon as they can. Especially the white ones. The valley market is nothing but an entry level position. The reporters that do stay are originally from the valley and can't find jobs anywhere else due to their poor grammar and bad accents. . This is one resion corruption is rampant in the valley barrio. The perfect storm for the uneducated, low info valley minions who prefer their news delivered via Fesbook.
Anon 10:03......are you kidding us Eduardo PAZ Martinez? Is that why you left ....and now is back? PENDEJO....jajajajaja
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