I really couldn’t escape from writing more about North Korea. With their nuclear test the top item on almost every newscast, it really is dominating my thoughts lately. They’ve been such an insular country since the end of the Korean War, that it is hard for me to paint a very clear picture for myself.

A couple of weeks ago, I was listening to an interview with a gentleman who had spent some time in North Korea on an assignment. He had just finished a graphic novel about his experience in North Korea. What struck me about the interview was that the host of the show mentioned that when they thought of Korea, they thought of the color gray – gray clothing, gray buildings, gray landscape… Until I heard it spoken, I didn’t realize how true that was.

While pictures of South Korea show a bustling cityscape full of people and colors, North Korea is stark in comparison. With a good portion of the population struggling from poverty and starvation, the country is truly gray. When I take the time to really think about it, I am often ashamed of myself for forgetting them – a whole country that used to be a part of the country of my birth.

Generally, I am pretty selfish in my thoughts. I’ve written about it before. I worry that what the backlash will be if North Korea decides to do something more foolish. Already, I’m starting to hear stories about people who are using the phrase, “those Koreans” or similar phrases. I know that waiting parents and prospective parents are worried about how the new developments might affect their child.

I am doing my best to remember that I may have cousins, aunts, uncles, etc… who are living within the borders of the rather mysterious North Korea. I try to think that way instead of viewing North Korea as just another threat to world peace. In some ways, I think that you have to also learn about North Korea, before you can truly understand South Korea.

If you would like to comment, but not on this site, please e-mail me at adoptkoreablog@adoptionmail.com.