Contact inside North Korea

EDIT: Just to make this entirely clear - I personally was party to this contact.

A friend and I managed to make contact, through methods we won’t discuss here, with someone from North Korea, actually talking to us from inside the DPRK – an incredibly rare opportunity for us, and dangerous one for our contact. If you know even a little about North Korea, you’ll understand why this is the case.

We have posted the whole log and our observations on our blog, here: evilboss.co.uk...

Of course, we can anticipate the criticism that’s going to arise from this post – obviously, people are going to call this a fabrication, an attention-seeker duping us, etc – and so prospectively: whatever. There are two factors we take into consideration when judging the validity of something like this: firstly, the advantage gained through deception, and secondly, the capability of the source.

Considering our contact didn’t stand to gain anything by pretending to be a citizen of North Korea to a couple of English men, and would know full well the conditions they were living in, we place our belief in the authenticity of this conversation. Certainly, the way they spoke (look at the ‘grand poobah’ slang) was the sort of dated English someone from the DPRK would learn, and the specific details (Juche, taepodong), whilst not being out of the reach of even a small amount of research, are not exactly common or popular knowledge.

So, as far as we’re concerned, it’s genuine, and all the more frightening because of it.

It'd be nice to hear your opinions on this.

[edit on 13-8-2009 by srsrecords]

With all due respect........

I am sorry, many here have posted hoax's for various reasons.

If I/we can not independently verify what is said, we must find it all suspect.

I am in no way calling you a lier or hoaxer.

But, without proof, how are we supposed to take you as anything else???seriously!!!

I do agree, N.K. is a very important topic, especially what they are doing/thinking behind their iron-curtain.

One thing may help, if you can find independent conformation of what this person says in print and, of course, we would need the links.

I have just a couple issues with this story.

A painful read, but I did it. The alleged sources of this log claimed that they could not disclose how they were in communications with 'X.'
But they mentioned 'accidental' audio broadcasts that he stopped after the second one. (So we know it's not radio) Later in the story, they also mention that 'X' must have had temporary internet access. Too many clues for not being able to disclose.

The guy ends the 'chat' like a casual conversation. If you have access to someone in DPRK you're going to tell them 'i'm tired' and let them hang up? Whatever.

Either it's hoaxed, or the two contactes don't really want to know about what's going on in DPRK or they wouldn't have ended the chat until the other party wanted to. Reeks of some made up stuff to me.

As the person who actually conducted half of, and finished the chat - here's my rationale for quitting out:

I was honestly, genuinely falling asleep. It was 4:30am in my timezone, and I'd been up all day - as much as you could say I was wasting an opportunity, I genuinely couldn't carry on any longer.

It's not like I'm some kind of professional.

Thanks for the feedback on the clues, I've removed some of the information in response.

[edit on 13-8-2009 by srsrecords]

Originally posted by mrmonsoon
With all due respect........

I am sorry, many here have posted hoax's for various reasons.

If I/we can not independently verify what is said, we must find it all suspect.

I am in no way calling you a lier or hoaxer.

But, without proof, how are we supposed to take you as anything else???seriously!!!

I do agree, N.K. is a very important topic, especially what they are doing/thinking behind their iron-curtain.

One thing may help, if you can find independent conformation of what this person says in print and, of course, we would need the links.

The only confirmation I can give you is my word, as I conducted the conversation. I can't tell you for sure or not if the person on the other end was really in the DPRK, but I personally believe that they were.

[edit on 13-8-2009 by LyricusMagna]

reply to post by srsrecords


I read your blog post and i think its interesting. But i agree with KSPigpen, why would you say I'm tired and end the conversation? A conversation you might not have a chance to make again. Anyway, do you think you will be able to talk with this person again?

[edit on 13-8-2009 by LyricusMagna]

[edit on 13-8-2009 by LyricusMagna]

reply to post by LyricusMagna


We hope so. After contacting the South Korean embassy, they think it unlikely that we will again - but the option remains open.
I've stated above why I was unable to continue the conversation.

[edit on 13-8-2009 by srsrecords]

reply to post by srsrecords


Sorry, just saw that.

Although IMO you could have continued a bit longer, i know even i was tired as hell, since i don't talk with N. Korean people everyday, id try to get as much info as i can, and talk as much as possible.

But i do respect your decisions so....

Anyway, thanks for sharing.

My take on the issue: The contact was completely abrupt and unplanned - there'd have been no time for them to go "hur hur let's hoax", unless they'd been sitting there waiting for someone to come along.
As much as the source is of a possibly questionable background, after discussion, we felt that the source was as legitimate as you're going to get, especially in a case like the DPRK, and felt that the material needed to be published, even if we screwed up by dropping out, couldn't verify their location, whatever. We could just be sitting on this stuff instead.

[edit on 13-8-2009 by srsrecords]

reply to post by mrmonsoon


Agreed, I have a friend who knows someone who posted a thread once that dealt with this same issue, you are just going to have to believe me.

Evidence, evidence, evidence. The prima facie evidence on this particular topic is flimsy at best.

Hi.

Can I ask why you wanted to talk to him? Also, did he approach you or did you find him? Is he a friend? The reason I ask these general questions is it seems to me that if you are not a professional as you stated above that is actually going to DO something with this information, you have put this guy's life in danger. And for what? So you can post it on your blog? Because you were curious?

I hope this guy stays safe... and I hope your reasons are good... his reasons were good because he probably thought you could DO something about their plight... please tell me you can because if you can't, I seriously hope that you will never do this again.

Edit to add: This situation is serious. Do not put people's lives in danger unless there is a very good reason to do so that will benefit THEM. The more I think about this the more horrible I think it is because you evidently didn't even take it seriously enough to be able to stay awake for all that he wanted to tell you. This is crap... think before you let your curiosity take hold next time.

If I'm totally off base, I will apologize to you, but from what I've read so far, I don't think I am.

[edit on 13/8/2009 by Iamonlyhuman]

Any one ever notice when "democratic", and "republic" are used in the official name of a country, they never are? North Korea is one gigantic goolog. It's quite the feather to have any contact with the DPRK. I just hope before long that country dumps the "dear leader" as soon as possible, and those who take power are much more reasonable. Being less the a jogging suit fruitcake woulden't hurt either. They have everything to gain with co-operation with the civilized world, and little to loose. As you may have found out, continued contacts with democratic countries has huge risks for the person/s who dare to do it.

Originally posted by Iamonlyhuman
Hi.

Can I ask why you wanted to talk to him? Also, did he approach you or did you find him? Is he a friend? The reason I ask these general questions is it seems to me that if you are not a professional as you stated above that is actually going to DO something with this information, you have put this guy's life in danger. And for what? So you can post it on your blog? Because you were curious?

I hope this guy stays safe... and I hope your reasons are good... his reasons were good because he probably thought you could DO something about their plight... please tell me you can because if you can't, I seriously hope that you will never do this again.

Edit to add: This situation is serious. Do not put people's lives in danger unless there is a very good reason to do so that will benefit THEM. The more I think about this the more horrible I think it is because you evidently didn't even take it seriously enough to be able to stay awake for all that he wanted to tell you. This is crap... think before you let your curiosity take hold next time.

If I'm totally off base, I will apologize to you, but from what I've read so far, I don't think I am.

[edit on 13/8/2009 by Iamonlyhuman]

Again, let me make this clear.

The contact was accidental and abrupt. Originally, we didn't think it was real. It soon became apparent (to us at least) that it probably was.

Since the contact happened, we've been trying our best to get in contact with the relevant authorities to attempt to do something. This is not solely just to publish on a blog - the blog was a stop-gap measure in the meantime intended to raise awareness.

EDIT: As detailed in the blogpost, our Foreign Office have so far refused our calls - letters will be going out. We are waiting on a response from the South Korean embassy as to how to act.


[edit on 13-8-2009 by srsrecords]

To add: our full, complete response regarding the posts made here:

evilboss.co.uk...

reply to post by srsrecords


Ok, I guess I missed the part about the contact was accidental and abrupt and I know my response was strong earlier. I'm sorry for that. I just really had the feeling that this guy was young and may not have really thought about the consequences of it all. I just feel really bad for the guy and all North Koreans. They just don't need anyone else taking advantage of them.




[edit on 13/8/2009 by Iamonlyhuman]

Picture or it didn't happen.