Thirteen Year Old Travels to North Korea for Peace
Kids do indeed say the darndest things. In fact, what we as adults may perceive as absurd statements coming from young children, can actually carry a lot of truth and significance. A perfect example lies with young Jonathan Lee, a 13 year old from Mississippi. Today, as the result of some profound ideas, Jonathan is traveling to North Korea to speak with Kim Jong-Il. After meeting former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung three years ago, Jonathan was inspired by the idea to plant trees in the DMZ along the border separating the North and South. He said to his mother, "I think we need to go to North Korea." His parents were shocked and saw it as a rather radical idea.
He will present Kim Jong-Il with a letter where he will propose the plan to plant fruit and chestnut trees in the DMZ so children can play there. This comes as a continuation of the "Sunshine Policy" created by Kim Dae-jung as a way to soften relations between the communist North and democratic South. Jonathan says he will relate this policy in his letter to the North Korean leader in hopes of initiating a transition towards peaceful relations were the well-being of citizens is the priority.
It will be very intriguing to see how this plays out as very few American citizens have had the chance to visit North Korea, let alone meet the very closed-off President. Where governments have failed, perhaps a child can succeed. With Jonathan, there is nothing to be skeptical about. There is no hidden agenda, which is often perceived by the North Korean government when engaging in dialogue with western governments. That is the advantage of the citizen diplomat. And there is no better point in history than now to usher in the era of the citizen diplomat due to the augmented tension and distrust prevalent in governmental relations (or lack thereof).
Stay tuned as the U.S. Center will continue to keep a close eye on Jonathan and hope for great results.
Posted Thursday, August 12, 2010