The NY Korean American Parents Association, chaired by Yoon-Hee Choi, warned Korean

The NY Korean American Parents Association, chaired by Yoon-Hee Choi, warned Korean parents that North Korean advocacy groups, which conceal their real identity, have been working under the radar in the greater metropolitan area targeting Korean youth. Parents are urged to protect their children.

At an Association’s press conference on July 19, in Flushing, Korean parents were warned that a number of Chongbuk Tanche groups from North Korea, “which support, advocate and uncritically follow the North, are approaching Korean students with come-ons such as free trips to Korea, support for college tuition, Korean-language schools and summer intern programs. In order to take advantage of their offers, interested persons are obliged to join as members and led to participate in activities that are propaganda for North Korea.”

According to the Association, North Korean advocacy groups operate their own websites and post their programs on many Internet websites or in newspapers and aggressively target Korean students for various summer programs. Although not all of these groups are unknown to the NY Korean community – some of them have been publicly exposed – most Korean youth in America are not aware of the real nature of these groups and can become involved unknowingly with groups whose true purpose is to turn members’ minds against America and South Korea, and to breed a new generation of Communists.

Chairwoman Choi said, “Even if someone joins such a group without realizing the true nature of the group, the damage is done; the record of membership in a North Korean organization will follow someone for life. Such a mark could have serious consequences for a person’s career in America. Therefore, we urge you to consider that if you receive benefits or financial support from North Korean advocacy groups, you will one day bitterly regret your choice.”

Ms. Choi also advised that, especially in summer, when many Korean students usually attend a variety of activities sponsored by different groups or organizations in the Korean community, youth and parents must examine carefully the groups or organizations before they sign up or participate.

Jong-mi Ra and Du-jung Kim, lawyers with the NY Korean American Parents Association said, “Even though in America there are many political affiliations, people who want to work in government or politics later in life must be extremely careful and not jeopardize their futures by unknowingly associating with North Korean groups.

Whatever financial benefits such groups might offer are simply not worth the consequences.”

In addition, the Association urged Korean parents to exercise more care and concern in their children’s education, offering more control and category_idance around this issue. Digital information is available to almost anyone these days, and association with or participation in North Korean groups can be accessed online. Such information can have an effect on college enrollment or future employment.

The Association also warns the groups that promote North Korea’s regime under the guise of spreading Korean culture and argue there is but one blood line between the two Koreas actually seek satisfy their own goals: to advocate and praise North Korea. The Association admonished community members who have joined North Korea groups that instead of supporting North Korea passionately in America, which is a democracy, they would be better served to put their passion and wisdom into helping their compatriots in the Korean community in America.

By Jung-eun Lee, The Korea Times, 20 July 2010. Translated from Korean by Sun-Yong Reinish.