Kenneth Bae Explained

Children:3 biological, 1 stepchild
Website:http://ngikorea.org
Module:
Child:yes
Context:north
Kenneth Bae
Hangul:배준호
Hanja:[1]
Rr:Bae Jun-ho
Mr:Pae Chunho
Kenneth Bae
Birth Date:1 August 1968
Birth Place:South Korea
Citizenship:American, South Korean
Education:Covenant Theological Seminary (MDiv)
Organization:NGI - Nehemiah Global Initiative
Module2:
Child:yes
Header1:Detainment
Label2:Country
Label3:Detained
Label4:Released
Label5:Days in detention
Label6:Sentence
Data6:15 years of hard labor
Label7:Reason for detention
Data7:Hostile acts against the republic

Kenneth Bae (born Bae Jun-ho; born August 1, 1968)[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] is a South Korean-born American Evangelical Christian missionary.[7] [8] [9] [10] Convicted by North Korea on charges of planning to overthrow the government, he was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment in April 2013.[11] [12] Bae was released on November 8, 2014, along with fellow American Matthew Todd Miller.[13]

In 2016, he founded the NGO named NGI - Nehemiah Global Initiative,[14] whose goals consist of remembering, rescuing, and recovering North Korean refugees and rebuilding their lives in China and South Korea.

Early life

Bae was born in South Korea in 1968. He moved to the United States at age 16 with his family in 1985,[15] [16] [17] first settling in San Jose, California then later relocating to Torrance, California, in the Los Angeles district. Bae (as Jun Ho Bae)[18] graduated from West High School in Torrance in 1988, when he was 20 years old. He studied at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon for two years, majoring in psychology and minoring in Chinese in preparation for possible ministerial work in China.[19] [20] [21] Bae left schooling altogether for a time in order to support his family. Later, he studied at the San Francisco Bible College, graduating in 1996, as well as at Covenant Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master's of Divinity degree in 2002.[22]

Career and personal life

Bae met his wife, Lydia, two weeks after starting at the University of Oregon, and got married a year later. They have two children. Bae later moved to Dalian, China in 2006, and then to Dandong, China, near neighboring North Korea.

Bae lived in Lynnwood, Washington, in Snohomish County.[23] [24] [25] Bae has a sister, Terri Chung, who is stated to live in Lynnwood[26] and in Edmonds, which is also in Snohomish County.[27]

As of January 2014, Bae is the father of two children in Arizona and of another child in Hawaii, ages 17, 22 and 23. Bae also has at least one stepdaughter.[15]

Working with YWAM's University of the Nations, Bae lived in China with his wife and his step-daughter for seven years.[15] He created a tourism company called "Nations Tour" for North Korean special economic zone visits that were stated to be Christian missionary trips.[28] [29] [30]

Arrest and prosecution

In December 2012, human rights activists in Seoul reported that an American had been held in North Korea for a month.[31] On December 21, 2012, North Korea announced that it had charged an American identified as Bae Jun-ho with "hostile acts against the republic."[28] [32] Between January 7 and January 10, former UN ambassador Bill Richardson was unable to meet Bae and delivered a letter from Bae's son to North Korean authorities.[33]

North Korean media stated Bae was prosecuted with:[34] [35]

On April 30, 2013, North Korea's Supreme Court sentenced Bae to 15 years of hard labor.[37] [38]

Prison life

On May 14, 2013, he was moved to a special prison.[39] Bae would do eight hours of farm labor a day.[40]

Bae sent hand-written letters to his family claiming that he was going blind and that help was needed.[41] On July 3, 2013, an interview with Bae was released, in which he spoke of health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver, and a back problem.[40] When asked if prison life was bearable, he replied: "Yes, people here are very considerate. But my health is not in the best condition, so there are some difficulties. But, everyone here is considerate and generous, and we have doctors here, so I'm getting regular check-ups."[35] A Swedish ambassador met with Bae in a hospital in August 2013; his sister reported that he was moved from the camp because of deteriorating health and after losing more than 50lb.[40] [42] [43] Bae's mother, Myunghee Bae, arrived in North Korea on October 11 to visit her son for five days.[44] [45] She was allowed three visits, totaling six hours.[46] In February 2014, Bae left the hospital and returned to the work camp.[47]

Reactions

United States

On the day he was sentenced, the United States called for the immediate release of Kenneth Bae on humanitarian grounds.[48] During the 2013 Korean crisis, North Korea stated that the reason the country did not invite US officials to Pyongyang for Bae's release is that he is not a "political bargaining chip."[49] [50]

On July 3, 2013, an interview with Bae was released, in which he begged for forgiveness from his captors and for the United States' help.[35] Despite getting a weekly update from the State Department, Kenneth's family insisted that the United States government wasn't doing a good enough job bringing him back.[41] It was confirmed later in July that Jimmy Carter had no plans to visit North Korea regarding Bae.[51]

On August 13, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf stated that the United States was "willing to consider a number of different options to secure his release."[52] On August 27, the United States announced that its North Korean human rights envoy, Robert R. King, would travel to Pyongyang and ask for the government to pardon Bae,[53] but three days later North Korea rescinded its invitation.[54] The reason given for the cancellation was that the United States used nuclear-capable bombers in military drills with South Korea.[55]

On November 30, the United States called for the release of Bae and Merrill Newman, an American citizen also being detained who confessed to "indelible crimes" during his service in the Korean War. National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said: "We continue to urge the DPRK authorities to grant [Bae] amnesty and immediate release."[56] American officials talked to relatives of both detainees. On December 7, Newman was released; Marie Harf stated: "We welcome the DPRK's decision to release [Newman]. This positive decision by the DPRK throws into sharper relief the continuing detention of Bae. We call on the DPRK once again to pardon and grant Mr. Bae special amnesty and immediately release him as a humanitarian gesture so that he too can return home to his family."[57]

On January 20, 2014, Bae said in a statement that he had committed a "serious crime" against North Korea, and that the nation does "not abuse human rights." He asked the United States government "to make more active efforts and pay more attention."[58] The United States then offered to send Robert R. King to North Korea.[59]

Dennis Rodman

On May 7, 2013, after reading an article from The Seattle Times,[60] former professional basketball player Dennis Rodman sent out a tweet asking his "friend" Kim Jong Un to do him "a solid" and release Bae.[61] [62]

On May 10, Rodman promised that he would go to North Korea on August 1 to rescue Bae. Rodman criticized United States President Barack Obama, saying, "We got a black president [who] can't even go talk to [Jong-un] ... Obama can't do anything, I don't know why he won't go talk to him."[63] Rodman did not go to North Korea in August,[64] but did go in September 2013. While in Beijing, Rodman said he was visiting North Korea again to create a basketball league there and to fix North Korea–United States relations. Rodman declined to discuss Bae.[55] [65] [66] The same month, Rodman returned from China[67] and lost his temper when he was asked questions about Bae, saying that Bae was not his responsibility.[68]

On January 7, 2014, while in North Korea, Rodman was asked if he would raise the issue of Kenneth Bae during a CNN interview. He became agitated and said, "Kenneth Bae did one thing ... If you understand what Kenneth Bae did. Do you understand what he did in this country? No, no, no, you tell me, you tell me. Why is he held captive here in this country, why? ... I would love to speak on this."[69] [70] The next day, Bae's sister said of Rodman's comments, "There is no diplomacy, only games, and at my brother's expense."[71] Rodman apologized for his comments about Kenneth Bae on January 9, 2014, saying he had been drinking and was stressed when he made the remarks.[72] [73]

Kenneth Bae would later credit Dennis Rodman with his early release, saying that Rodman's rant raised awareness of his case and that he wished to personally thank him.[74]

Release

Bae was released by North Korean authorities on Saturday, November 8, 2014 along with fellow American Matthew Todd Miller.[13] In 2016, Bae published a book about his ordeal: Not Forgotten: The True Story of My Imprisonment in North Korea.[75]

Nehemiah Global Initiative

In 2017, Bae decided to found a NGO to help North Korean refugees and raise the awareness of people around the world about the situation in North Korea.[76]

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 朝鮮起訴一名美國人 韓媒稱朝欲施壓美國謀求對話 . . 27 April 2013 . April 27, 2013.
  2. Web site: Arthur Bright . North Korea explains why it sentenced American Kenneth Bae to hard labor . CSMonitor.com . 2013-05-10 . January 19, 2014.
  3. News: North Korea: American citizen detained for crime . CBS News . 2012-12-21 . January 19, 2014.
  4. News: BBC News - North Korea says US citizen arrested . BBC . 2012-12-21 . January 19, 2014.
  5. News: BBC News - Jailed US man Kenneth Bae's mother in North Korea visit . BBC . 2013-10-11 . January 19, 2014.
  6. United States Public Records Number 136330619
  7. News: Rick Gladstone . American Held in North Korea Says Health Is Failing . . July 31, 2014 . August 1, 2014.
  8. News: Justin Rohrlich and Chad O'Carroll . Spreading the gospel in North Korea . The Telegraph . November 15, 2013 . August 1, 2014.
  9. Web site: James Pearson . Detained American was missionary dispatched to China . . 2013-05-06 . August 1, 2014.
  10. Web site: International Christian Concern . Christian missionary Kenneth Bae becomes longest serving American prisoner in North Korea since Korean War . Christian Today . 2013-11-05 . August 1, 2014.
  11. News: North Korea to put American tour operator Kenneth Bae on trial for 'trying to overthrow the government'. April 27, 2013. The Independent. London. James. Legge. April 27, 2013.
  12. News: North Korea to issue verdict on US citizen. April 27, 2013. BBC News. April 27, 2013.
  13. News: Two Americans freed by North Korea arrive back in U.S., reunited with families. CNN. Jethro Mullen. Greg Botelho. November 9, 2014. November 10, 2014.
  14. News: Nehemiah Global Initiative NGI. 2018-04-24. ko.
  15. News: American Kenneth Bae 'admits' crime, calls on US to help free him from North Korea | Fox News. foxnews.com. January 24, 2014. January 20, 2014.
  16. Web site: Johnson . Gene . Family: US man detained in N. Korea hospitalized . Bigstory.ap.org . January 19, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131230231833/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/family-us-man-detained-n-korea-hospitalized . December 30, 2013 .
  17. News: Mom of American detained in N. Korea to visit . USA Today . 2013-10-11 . January 19, 2014.
  18. Web site: 2013-08-26 . Former Torrance resident Kenneth Bae imprisoned in North Korea . January 19, 2014 . Dailybreeze.com.
  19. Book: Bae, Kenneth . Not forgotten : the true story of my imprisonment in North Korea . 2016 . Mark A. Tabb . 978-0-7180-7963-5 . Nashville, Tennessee . 948564418.
  20. News: U.S. seeks North Korean amnesty for American jailed for 15 years. Chicago Tribune. May 2, 2013.
  21. Web site: Mom of ex-University of Oregon student detained in N. Korea ends trip . KATU.com . 2013-10-15 . January 19, 2014 . 2013-12-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131211091243/http://www.katu.com/news/national/Mother-of-ex-University-of-Oregon-student-detained-in-N-Korea-ends-trip-227822891.html . dead .
  22. Web site: Kenneth Bae, Author at FaithGateway.
  23. Web site: Talmadge . Eric . US man in NKorean prison hopes he's released soon . Bigstory.ap.org . 2013-05-02 . January 19, 2014 . 2013-12-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131213031147/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/video-shows-us-mans-life-nkorean-prison . dead .
  24. Web site: White House urges N. Korea to release Kenneth Bae - Local News - Seattle, WA. https://web.archive.org/web/20131211221846/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/53704142/ns/local_news-seattle_wa/ . 2013-12-11 . dead. . January 24, 2014.
  25. Web site: White House renews urge for N. Korea to release Kenneth Bae . Kgw.com . 2013-11-30 . January 19, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131212012325/http://www.kgw.com/news/White-House-renews-urge-for-N-Korea-to-release-Kenneth-Bae-233944681.html . December 12, 2013 .
  26. Web site: N. Korea holds American from Lynnwood | Q13 FOX News. q13fox.com. January 24, 2014. February 1, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140201231219/http://q13fox.com/news/stories/n-korea-holds-american-from-lynnwood/#axzz2qwQhCUFJ. dead.
  27. Web site: U.S. News | National News - ABC News. abcnews.go.com. April 3, 2014.
  28. News: How Ken Bae Went from North Korean Tour Operator to North Korean Prisoner. The Atlantic Wire. Alexander Abad-Santos. May 2, 2013. August 12, 2013. September 13, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130913005236/http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2013/05/ken-bae-north-korean-prisoner/64810/. dead.
  29. News: Kenneth Bae moved from North Korea prison camp to hospital after losing 50 lbs, sister says. CBS. August 12, 2013. August 13, 2013.
  30. News: Christian Missionary Kenneth Bae Moved to Hospital in North Korea, Health May Be Failing. Nicola Menzie. The Christian Post. August 12, 2013. August 13, 2013.
  31. News: American Citizen Is Said to Be Held in North Korea. December 13, 2013. August 12, 2013. The New York Times. Choe. Sang-Hun.
  32. News: North Korea Says It Detained American Over 'Hostile Acts'. The New York Times. Choe Sang-Hun. December 21, 2012. August 12, 2013.
  33. News: Richardson delivered letter for detained American in North Korea. January 11, 2013. August 12, 2013. Reuters. Ayesha Rascoe. Doina Chiacu.
  34. Web site: North Korea to put US citizen on trial . Al Jazeera . 27 Apr 2013 . July 4, 2013.
  35. News: Bae from North Korean prison: Please help me. Madison Park. July 3, 2013. July 5, 2013. CNN.
  36. [Jessica Phelan]
  37. Web site: UO alum Kenneth Bae sentenced to 15 years hard labor in North Korea. dailyemerald.com. May 2, 2013.
  38. News: Kenneth Bae Sentenced: American Sentenced To 15 Years Hard Labor For Crimes Against North Korea . Huffington Post. May 2, 2013. May 1, 2013.
  39. News: North Korea says jailed American is now in 'special prison'. Jethro Mullen. 2013-05-15. May 15, 2013. CNN.
  40. News: Kenneth Bae, American imprisoned in North Korea, moved to hospital. Paula Hancocks. Jethro Mullen. August 12, 2013. August 12, 2013. CNN.
  41. News: Family of American held in N. Korea: U.S. not doing enough. July 25, 2013. July 25, 2013. CBS.
  42. News: American jailed in North Korea hospitalized, sister says. Yahoo News. August 11, 2013.
  43. News: Full coverage: Kim Jong-un and North Korea tension. Yahoo News. August 12, 2013.
  44. News: Kenneth Bae's mother visits North Korea to see imprisoned son. CNN. Madison Park. October 10, 2013. October 11, 2013.
  45. News: Mother of jailed U.S. missionary in North Korea to see son. Reuters. October 11, 2013. October 11, 2013.
  46. News: Hancocks. Paula. Kenneth Bae's mother tells of heartbreak after seeing, leaving imprisoned son. CNN. October 21, 2013. October 21, 2013.
  47. News: American jailed in North Korea returned to work camp. Fox News. February 7, 2014. February 8, 2014.
  48. News: U.S. calls on North Korea to release detained U.S. citizen. Reuters. April 29, 2013. August 13, 2013. Arshad. Mohammed.
  49. News: North Korea Says Jailed American Won't Be Used as 'Bargaining Chip'. Choe Sang-Hun. 2013-05-05. May 5, 2013. The New York Times.
  50. News: N. Korea says won't invite U.S. figures over jailed Korean-American. Yonhap News Agency. May 5, 2013. August 13, 2013.
  51. News: Aide to former U.S. President Carter denies he plans North Korea visit. Reuters. July 29, 2013. July 29, 2013. Jack. Kim.
  52. News: US signals willingness to engage NKorea on detained American. Matthew Pennington. canada.com. August 13, 2013. August 14, 2013.
  53. News: U.S. envoy to visit North Korea over jailed American. Reuters. Paul Eckert. Eric M. Johnson. August 28, 2013. August 28, 2013.
  54. News: North Korea Rescinds Permission for U.S. Envoy Visit. Choe Sang-Hun. The New York Times. August 30, 2013. August 30, 2013.
  55. News: Dennis Rodman makes return visit to North Korea. September 3, 2013. September 3, 2013. Fox News.
  56. News: US urges North Korea to release detainee Merrill Newman. November 30, 2013. November 30, 2013. BBC.
  57. News: U.S.: American Merrill Newman 'in hand' after he's 'deported' from North Korea. CNN. Greg Botelho. December 7, 2013. December 7, 2013.
  58. News: Kenneth Bae urges U.S. to help secure his release in North Korea. CNN. January 20, 2014. January 20, 2014. Judy Kwon. Josh Levs.
  59. News: US may send envoy to North Korea to seek release of jailed missionary Kenneth Bae. The Sydney Morning Harold. Choe Sang-Hun. January 21, 2014. January 21, 2014.
  60. dennisrodman . 331833882578145282. Rodman. Dennis. In direct response to your article headline, "Ok." Read your story @uscthanhtan, and I decided to help. http://ow.ly/kNvp3. May 8, 2013.
  61. Dennis Rodman calls on Kim Jong Un to do him 'a solid' and release American detainee. Foreign Policy. Uri Friedman. 2013-05-07. May 7, 2013.
  62. Web site: I'm calling on the Supreme Leader of North Korea or as I call him "Kim", to do me a solid and cut Kenneth Bae loose.. Rodman. Dennis. Twitter. May 7, 2013. May 8, 2013.
  63. News: Rodman RIPS Obama Over North Korea -- 'He Can't Do S**t'. TMZ. May 10, 2013. August 13, 2013.
  64. News: What Happened To Dennis Rodman's North Korean Rescue Mission?. Rosie Gray. August 6, 2013. August 13, 2013.
  65. News: Rodman returns to Pyongyang but says won't bring back jailed American. Reuters. September 3, 2013. September 3, 2013.
  66. News: Dennis Rodman makes second North Korea trip . 3 September 2013 . BBC.com.
  67. News: Dennis Rodman arrives in China after North Korea visit. CNN. Lateef Mungin. September 7, 2013. September 7, 2013.
  68. News: Rodman, Leaving North Korea, Says Prisoner Issue 'Not My Job'. The New York Times. September 7, 2013. September 9, 2013. Gerry Mullany.
  69. News: Dennis Rodman gets angry in Pyongyang. USA Today. January 7, 2014. January 7, 2014. Calum MacLeod.
  70. News: Angry Dennis Rodman defends North Korea basketball game. CNN. January 7, 2014. January 7, 2014. Laura Smith-Spark. Jethro Mullen.
  71. News: Dennis Rodman 'playing games' with imprisoned American's life, family says. CNN. January 8, 2014. January 8, 2014. Jethro Mullen. Laura Smith-Spark. Michael Pearson.
  72. Web site: Dennis Rodman apologises for Kenneth Bae comments. 9 January 2014. Guardian. January 9, 2014.
  73. News: Dennis Rodman apologizes for North Korea outburst, says he'd been drinking. CNN. January 9, 2014. January 9, 2014. Jethro Mullen.
  74. News: Dennis Rodman's ranting saved me from North Korean gulag. New York Post. David K. Li. May 2, 2016.
  75. Web site: Kenneth Bae, Longest-Held U.S. Prisoner of North Korea, Reveals Details of Ordeal . Gladstone . Rick . . 2 May 2016 . 3 May 2016 .
  76. Web site: Nehemiah Global Initiative NGI. en.

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