Women cross DMZ never talk about human rights issues of North Korea

It seems that signs of ideological conflict are visible again. A group of women activities, called WomenCrossDMZ (WCD), is expected to visit Pyeongyang in North Korea on May 19, hold symposiums there, and cross the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) into South Korea on May 24. The group includes Nobel Peace laureate Mairead Maguire (1976) from Northern Ireland, an honorary co-chair of the effort, and about 30 executive committee members who are Korean American female activities including Christine Ahn and Hyun-Kyung Chung. The WCD says "In Korean history marked by dialogue, understanding and forgiveness" We should lessen military tensions on the Korean peninsula to redirect military funds toward the welfare of the people in South and North Koreas and environment protection, and turn the armistice into a peace treaty." It is hypocritical that the "peace" advocates remain silent about North Korea"s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) such as nuclear bombs and missiles. They talk about human rights, but not about political prison camps in the state. They support women"s rights, but do not seem to be interested in the predicament faced by repatriated North Korean female defectors who suffer forced abortions and infanticide. All this is contradictory. The repressive regime is apparently exploiting the call for peace, human rights and women as a means of securing their political survival. "North Korean Human Rights Act challenges the struggle for human rights Kim Jong-un spent $644.29 million on luxuries in 2013, which could have been spent on buying 1.5 years worth of rice or 2.6 years of corn for the 24 million North Korean populations (based on world grain prices). Instead of purchasing food, energy and medicine, the leader squandered money on liquor, watches, handbags, jewels, carpets, European purebred shih tzu and shepherd dogs, and pet care products for himself and close aides. Kim Jong-il was no different. The former leader spent $800 million on remodeling the Kim Il-sung Palace (a.k.a. the Palace of the Sun) in 1994 when the North Korean famine started to occur. This money was sufficient to purchase 3 years worth of rice or 5.2 years worth of corn for the 24 million people. The pressure of the United States on Pyeongyang is just another excuse. There have been few U.S. sanctions against North Korea except for a ban on trade with the hostile state, which has been effective since the Korean War. The United Nations has imposed embargoes against North Korea only on items that could be used for weapons of mass destruction and luxury goods. Meanwhile, $1,285 million worth of money and goods, including light water reactors, heavy oil and food, have been flowed from the U.S. to North Korea from 1995 to 2009 since the U.S. and North Korea adopted the Agreed Framework in Geneva in 1994. In other words, 57% of North Korea"s annual budget has been supplemented by the U.S. for the past 15 years. North Korea hoping to open path towards independent reunification North Korea is certainly encouraged by the DMZ walk of the WCD activists. The Korean Central Television of North Korea reported on May 3 that "The international women"s march" will encourage the struggle of the people to open a critical path towards independent reunification and contribute to raising international voice for reunification and peace on the Korean peninsula." North Korea"s hope for independent reunification and peace on the Korean peninsula implies independent revolution on the peninsula without the presence of the U.S forces. It is doubtful whether the WCD campaigners have taken action with any awareness of the dubious intention of North Korea. Are you for or against 'Women cross DMZ'?