Seoul Train reaction

Its shocking to see so many people in North Korea starving over lack of food in their country. Its even sadder to see little children searching in the dirt for food just so they can survive for the day. It was sickening to see the living conditions of these people. They have no water no electricity, or ever shoes to warm and protect their feet from the muddy wet cold floor. Its no wounder way so many North Koreans are trying to flee to South Korea. They are only trying to escape the famine and disease that is in their country. Its devastating to know that the chines who capture the North Koreans would send them back knowing that they will be tortured put into concentration camps and even killed. Every Human Deserves the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I'm so Glad to know that I'm so fortunate, and to be in America where I have freedom from such inhuman treatment and living conditions that the North Koreans go through. Watching the Seoul train really opened my eyes to what is really going on in North Korea. I just hope some day things will get better for the North Korean.

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/08/24/2010082401087.html

Seoul Train Response

Before watching Seoul Train, I only had somewhat of an idea as to what went on in North Korea. I knew that almost the entire country was lacking electricity, but I didn't know that so many people try to escape every day because they're starving and dying. I had no idea that there was a network called the Underground Railroad. I find it reassuring that so many people are worried for the North Koreans, but many of them do not make it out. It's also horrible that China will send any found North Korean back to the country to, basically, die. I didn't know how bad it really was in North Korea, and Seoul Train was a real eye opener.

Seoul Train Reaction

Before watching Seoul Train, I had no idea of just what was going on in North Korea. I was aware that they had a very cruel dictator, but I had no idea how bad conditions were. Seoul Train also talked about how the Chinese were actively catching North Koreans who escaped from poverty and oppression, and sending them back to North Korea where they would be torchered and killed. I think that the Chinese government is wrong by sending escaped North Koreans back home, they should instead send them to South Korea where they can at least have a chance at living a free life.

Seoul Train

Watching Seoul Train opened my eyes to the atrocities that are truly going on in North Korea. Not only that, but it also showed me how the Chinese Government is also contributing to the poor treatment of the North Korean population. Watching the Seoul Train infuriated me in a way. I can't believe the Chinese Government could be so ignorant of what is going on in North Korea. The fact that they insist on continuing to send them back to North Korea for certain torture and most likely death sickens me. They are condemning men and women to lives in a state that treats the people like rats. It sickens me.

~Alex Spriggs

Seoul Train

Watching the movie made me realize how amazing people are who help North Koreans escape. They risk their lives every second they are actually smuggling them out. Also, it made me really upset that China hunts down the North Koreans and sends them back. They could just let them pass through and go to another country instead of sending them to their deaths back home. If they don't want the North Koreans in China, they could at least help them get out of North Korea and into another country so they don't have to suffer.

Seoul Train Movie Response

The movie Seoul Train really made me realize how horrible conditions are in North Korea. I knew that North Koreans are restricted from the outside world but I had no idea how really bad the conditions are that people are willing to risk their lives to achieve freedom. I found it very upsetting that China is the only country that will send North Koreans back to their home land, even though they know that they well be beaten and possible die. The security is very strict along the borders. My heart sank when the people and their families were trying to escape and didn't succeed and ended up in prison or only some of the family members escaped, having no choice but to leave the others behind. The link provided above goes a little more in depth about the restrictions North Koreans has.

Cassie Langas

Seoul Train Reaction

When I saw that movie in this class, I was surprised by the conditions and what that north koreans had to go though. I actually knew many things about the north koreans because im a south koreaner myself. i learned many things from my parents and my grandparents. when i was little i think my grandparents told me many stuff that happened to north koreans everyday and that i should be thankful to what i have. To see north koreans suffer from hunger, illness and other things break my heart. North koreans speak the same language as me, and are the same race as me, but sometimes i feel like we're completely different. The accent they have when they talk make me feel like im watching a really old movie. North korea hasn't become modern and they seem like the old, traditional Korea. They dress differently, and again, they wear the traditional korean clothing. I really think the north koreans need a lot of help from other countries, including China. The fact that the Chinese won't help the north koreans really made me mad. if they were in the north koreans' shoes, wouldn't they want to get help by surrounding countries?

Seoul Train Response

After watching the video I relaized how much I should cherish all the things we take for granted here in the U.S. The simple things like electricity and running water are resources that almost all North Koreans are forced to live without. The worst part about it is that countries such as China not only refuse to help the brave men and women who have escaped, but they do the honors of sending them back, knowing that they very well may face death. The media has blown the lid off how horrible this place is, and yet we have reached no solution. I'm not saying that we are the ones forcing them to leave, but we are not contributing as much as a global power like ourselves can. Like the clip in the video, families are being seperated because men would rather be free then to live together under the unruling power of Kim Jong Il. The link provided tells the story of the only known case of an escapee of as North Korean prison camp.

Seoul Train

I never really knew much about North Korea and just how bad it is over there. Seoul Train put everything in perspective for me, and made me realize how hard it is for North Koreans to escape for freedom. I cannot believe how much they have to go through just to gain basic human rights. It was horrifying to see the families that try to escape into South Korea, and how they get beaten and thrown around, especially the family with the little girl. It is really hard to believe that it is 2010 and situations like this still exist all over the world. This movie really opened my eyes to the struggles that North Koreans have to endure just to gain the most fundamental needs. I dont understand why China continually sends them back to North Korea when they are well aware of the punishment that the people will have. I dont know how, but something needs to start changing for the North Korean people.

Seoul Train

Seoul Train was fascinating and quite the eye opener. It was crazy to see how miserable people are in North Korea, and how desperate they are to get out. It was shocking to see how many people are willing to attempt to escape, even after knowing the consequence of getting caught. The one woman really got to me when she was quoted saying that if she doesn't make it out, she'd rather just commit suicide, because it's not worth it to go back and have to endure the horrendous conditions. Another seen that really hit home was the scene where they filmed a community of people, and there was absolutely on food. The children were literally on their hands and knees trying to find any bit of food scraps, just to survive. I fully support anyone trying to help the cause. I give my utmost respect to those campaigning to help the North Koreans, and I applaud those who have the strength to escape and speak out about about how the country is being run.

Seoul Train Reaction

It's honestly sad to say that I really had no idea how terrible it is in North Korea. What shocked me the most was that there really are places in this world that go through human tradegies everyday. The fact that people had to flee from their home countries just for freedom, and to live a normal life seems terrifying. I can't imagine living in a place where I was even provided my basic necessities to live. What made me the most upset was how China has completely put countless numbers of North Koreans to their deaths. To me, that is just as bad as North Korea itself. When people are fully aware of the fact that these people are risking their lives but they decide to send them back anyway is so completely wrong I'm in shock. I'm so grateful that we watched this film because it really opened my eyes and made me aware of what's actually going on in the world today.

seoul train reaction

When you turned on this video Seoul train i thought to myself, here goes another boring history movie. The truth is, i thought the complete opposite of that. The movie opened my eyes on the crisis going on in North Korea. One thing that really opened my eyes is that the refugees would talk to the camera and they would say how they are willingly risking their lives to get away from north korea. And when i saw the footage inside the country and the kid eating food off the ground with one shoe made out of a piece of clothing i can understand why they wanted out so badly. This video was great becuase the story that was told and the impact it had on me. I personally believe that China needs to open its gates to refugees instead of sending them back to almost certain death. And if China doesnt want them, then instead of sending them back they could send them somewhere else. Just as long as it is not North Korea.

Seoul Train

This documentary really surprised me. I didn't know that any of this was happening in North Korea and that China was being to harsh. It really makes me sad that China isn't recognizing North Koreans as refugees. A refugee is someone who flees to a different country because of safety hazards, and I think that's exactly what is going on in North Korea. The conditions there are really bad that I believe they should be considered refugees. Another thing that moved me was the bravery of the North Koreans trying to obtain freedom and the activists trying to get them there. The activists risk everything for them, and have no hesitance when it comes to trying to set them free.

Seoul Train Response

After watching the movie Seoul Train, i now feel sympathetic towards North Korean citizens trying to leave the country. I believe China should change there rules regarding the deportation of illegal people entering the country from North Korea.

Seoul Train

I'll be honest, I knew that there was issues in North Korea with people fleeing to different countries, but I never knew how bad it was until I watched this film. I just made me wonder how heartless and crazy you have to be in order to be as cruel to innocent people. I guess the most shocking part for me was when they were talking about all the people actually using the railroad and how all of them got caught and forcibly sent back to North Korea where they faced political prison camps, and ultimately death. I my opinion the Chinese who send the North Korean refugees back are just as responsible for those deaths and the North Korean leaders are. Han-mi and her family's story broke my heart into little tiny pieces. Just seeing the fear in that little girls face, who doesn't know why this is happening, just tears and your heart right and left. I am glad there are people out there willing to help the refugees and make movies like this one. It informs people about what is going on in the world and how they can help North Korean refugees get the help the desperately need and deserve.

Seoul Train Video Reaction

This documentary was kind of hard to watch at time. I knew that North Korea was basically a prison where most people are starving, but seeing it on video is just different. The little kids wondering around town picking up crumbs to eat from the dirt was especially painful to watch. I think the situation with China sending back refugees to North Korea to be killed is just disturbing. I doesn't make sense. I get that the Chinese are afraid to get on N.Korea's bad side, but I dont see how N.Korea would even find out if China was letting refugees get to Mongolia. Thats how I felt about it anyway.

-Kevin Swanlund

Seoul Train Reaction

Watching Seoul Train over the last 2 days really made me realize some of the harsh conditions people have to go through in different countries around the world. I've known for a while that North Korea wasn't a good place to live for a variety of reasons but I never knew exactly how bad it is over there. The pictures of the little kids eating food off of the muddy ground and their entire bodies covered in dirt was horrifying to me. I can understand why these families want to leave for other places. I feel bad for the people who especialy get caught by the Chinese and sent back because I dont know how a country can do that. I wonder why they send those poor people back when they know the kinds of conditions those people have to live in. This movie really opened my eyes as to the problems in North Korea and I hope that measures can be taken to help these people escape to other places.

Seoul Train Reaction

Seoul Train Reaction

I was very moved by the movie that we watched called Seoul Train. I was moved by several things that this movie touched upon. The first thing that I was affected by was the conditions in North Korea. These were horrible living conditions and I was deeply stunned by watching as the little Korean children were walking around and picking food up off of the ground so that they may eat. I was also unsettled by the fact that Korean children are 5 to 6 inches below their age groups normal height. It was awful to find out how much the refugees had to go through in order to escape into China. Some of the refugees were waiting in safe houses for months waiting for the right opportunity to escape into Mongolia. But overall one of the most depressing things that I saw in the movie was the image of Han Mi’s family as they were trying to enter the Japanese territory. The image was the one where Han Mi is standing in the background crying as the guards are wrestling down her mother and grandmother. This was what I was affected by the most in the movie Seoul Train. To see more pictures

seoul train reaction

Watching this video in class really opened my eyes to what was actually going on in North Korea and China. I knew things were bad there but i had never taken the time to learn much about it. Seeing the devastation in North Korea and watching the hungry children trying to pick food off of the ground made me want to throw up. The living conditions that they are in are sub-human. They have no food, no water, and no cloths. You are lucky to even have shoes. This makes me sick to my stomach and forces me to realize how easy and nice we have it living in the United States. When you are watching the people trying so desperately to get out of North Korea and the chinese authorities are just sending them right back to what could very well be a death sentence, you cant help but to sympathize with the Koreans. Hopefully everyone will come to their senses and the regime in North Korea will fall. But if this does happen the whole world has to help and get that country out of the failed state they are in.

Seoul Train Video Reaction

I found watching the video, "Seoul Train" to be very heartbreaking. I personally was not aware of the inhumane conditions that the people of North Korea are forced to live in. It is sad that these people have to beg for help and risk everything for a chance of a better life. The North Koreans were being treated more like animals than human beings. It was difficult to watch the North Korean refugees being captured by the Chinese and being sent back to the oppressive conditions that they tried to escape. Allowing illegal aliens/refugees into bordering countries is an ongoing problem that many countries in the world face. As disturbing as this is to watch occurring in North Korea, it is happening right here in the United States. Recently the state of Arizona tried to pass a law that would allow the police and border patrol to pull over cars for no apparent reason and question the occupants of their legal status. Anyone found to be illegal would be sent back to their country of citizenship. Many of these people being from Mexico. The conditions may not be as oppressive as those in North Korea, but these Mexican citizens are obviously looking for a chance at a better life too. The works of the "underground railroad" is necessary to try and give these people hope, but unfortunately it is not the answer. I wish I knew an answer that would end the cruel and inhumane treatment of innocent people.

Seoul Train

One word. Shocked. I could not believe what I saw after watching the Seoul Train video. It made me realize that I am completely naive and don't realize exactly how fortuante I am. I cannot even begin to relate to the situations that the North Koreans face each and everyday. Personally, I feel that if the North Koreans are willing to risk everything in order to cross over the border and into China, they deserve the right to stay- or at least be allowed to travel into Mongolia or other nearby countries. It just amazes me knowing that the Chinese send so many people back to North Korea knowing that they will face cruel punishments and execution. I am still in such shock that I don't even know what to say. Hopefully someday soon this crisis will be resolved. It truly is a shame knowing people are forced to live this brutal life.

Reaction to Seoul Train

This video made me realize how bad the conditions in North Korea are today and how desperate people are to get away. Those people risk everything to get away to a place like China, where they are classified as illegal immigrants and sent back to North Korea to be tortured, beatenand often times killed for trying to leave. I think someone should step in and make China stop sending back these poor people who are only trying to escape famaine and disease. I was also shocked about the conditions in which North Koreans live. They live in dirt with very little food, most places don't even have running water or electricity. Communism has ripped apart that country and made it so that not even the people who orginially supported the split want to be there

Seoul Train

Seoul Train really touched me. I never knew the exact relationship North Korea had with other countries and what other countries thought of North Korea. It was sad to see all the families in North Korea and how they live there. It seems very scary. I would be terrified to try to sneak out of North Korea and I give a lot of credit to any successful North Korean.

Reaction to Seoul Train

So after watching the movie about North Korea did I realize just how good I have life. I feel so bead for all of the people who are stuck in that country without anywhere to go or anyone to turn to for help. I feel that China was in the wrong for not helping any of these people in danger. To me it doesn't matter if they are illegal or not. We are all people who deserve rights to be treated like humans. This movie was so sad but really eye opening as to what happens around the world. I really wish that me myself cold help these people get free and or get what they need to survive. I know that everyone is scared that if we take action we could get into a war, but these people need help and we need to act now so that they can be helped and survive. As you can see in my link the UNHCR isn't even helping the people of North Korea. They aren't allowed to help them. I don't get how the UN can't help who ever they want because isn't that what they are suppose to do. How can they not do there job. This crisis makes me sick yo think about and I wish I could do something to help North Koreans survive.