Most bizarre execution in North Korea reserved for disgraced minister

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
10/29/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Kim Chol was executed by mortar round.

In North Korea, it is dangerous even to be a member of the ruling elite. Perhaps even more so - the closer to Caesar, the greater the fear. Hence, it is unsurprising when one of the country's top generals is executed by the regime. But it's not the fact of execution itself that is raising eyebrows, but rather the reason, and the method.

Capital punishment, North Korean style.

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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (Catholic Online) - North Korean state media is reporting that Kim Chol, vice-minister of the North Korean Army has been executed - by mortar.
Apparently, the minister made the mistake of having a drink during the period of mourning following the death of Kim Jong Il. During that period of mourning, pleasure and joy of any sort was strictly forbidden. Thousands of people were arrested and punished for various infractions such as not looking sufficiently distraught while appearing in public.

Several generals and top members of the military have been arrested and many executed for infractions during this period. Analysts speculate the arrests have been a pretext to purge the army of any officials that the new dictator, Kim Jong Un, did not trust.

Chol, for his part, was accused of enjoying a drink during the period of mourning, and for that he was sentenced to die in such a manner that his body should be completely obliterated, without any trace remaining, not even hair. The harsh edict was supposedly issued by the Kim Jong Un himself.

To accomplish this task, Chol was compelled to stand in a precise spot that had been zeroed in by a mortar team. Firing a single, large shell, the minister was properly obliterated in the blast. At least death was instant.

In addition to Chol, dozens of other military and high-ranking officials have been killed, although not as spectacularly as the doomed minister. Probably thousands of civilians have also met their fate before firing squads or from overwork and starvation in camps.

Of course, the deaths of thousands of civilians is nothing new in the oppressive country, but the mass purge of high-ranking officials is. If Kim Jong Un is hoping to consolidate his authority, he seems to be doing a fine job of it.

� 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
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Keywords: North Korea, capital punishment, mortar round, death, Kim Jong Un, Kim Chol, vice-minister

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1 - 1 of 1 Comments

Paul-Emile Leray
7 months ago
When I read stories like this, I am sometimes reminded of what general Clemenceau and a prominent sociologist once put forth. Clemenceau noted he wondered whether we were in moments of peace between moments of war, or in moments of war between moments of peace. A sociologist, years ago, stated that individually humans were generally intelligent. Collectively? Possibly the most stupid species on the planet. I have to say both men had some truth in their statements.

I recently delivered a speech on the importance of identity and how Christianity and a Christian education benefits us with this as well. There are specific reasons as to why suicides are so high in Japan, for example. Also, why so many give exaggerated importance and respect to political leaders; many reasons exist for this as well. Bow to NO HUMAN, period. NEVER! It was Jesus Christ who was the Savior, who died for our sins, NOT ANY POLITICIAN. One reason much political nonsense happens, in part, is because people are afraid of politicians, power, control, people with money. Don't be afraid. Political leaders don't escape death either. They are MERE mortals. Do NOT fear.

1. Terrorize.
2. Infantilize.
3. Control.

This is what power, control-hungry, tyrannical peacock maniacs do to keep people submissive and coerced. It is almost unbelievable that in 2012 the world is still not more advanced, in terms of enlightenment and awareness. What an odd bunch of FOOLS humans are.

Through the eyes of faith, I am upbeat, optimistic, and hopeful. Without faith? I would see humans as two-legged animals using more sophisticated means who are essentially living on an animal jungle planet whereby the strongest and most vicious survive and win. Faith changes our perspective and seeing through the eyes of a faith-filled heart and soul, mind, is very hopeful.

Why did some political leaders fear Christians so much, in the past? Because knowing Jesus as one's ONLY Savior, when it is publically known, puts fear into the hearts of political leaders. Politicians often require people to be docile, stupid, submissive, coerced FOOLS frightened out of their wits if these leaders are to attain to, maintain, political control.

Do NOT fear politcians. NEVER. Fear their stupidity and misalignments. However, do NOT fear them in the sense of being intimidated by their status, prestige, power, control, etc.

We are all future worm food...in the words of one Jesuit. No human is God. No human has more of a right or less of a right to exist on this planet, by the fact they are what? Human.

Respect means many things; everything it is and also everything it is not. Respect does not mean bowing to, licking the boots of, surrendering your God given FREE WILL to another human. Submit your personal will at the feet of The One. (God) Do NOT submit free will to another human. Why? It is completely irrational, illogical. It makes no sense to surrender our will to another human. It is STUPID, plain and simple. Why would anyone submit their will to an equal?

Human will? It is NOTHING compared to God's will. It is nothing compared to nature. Who created nature? Human will power? Let us not make God laugh. We are wise to submit our wills to God's will. Let us pray, discern, be prudent, and discern with trained Catholic spiritual directors. Be careful with discerning only in solitude, because we might miss some blind spots. Solitude is fine. However, not only solitude.

It makes me laugh when political leaders lack humility. I have yet to see one of them stop an earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, typhoon, or will power themselves into living to being 300 years old. Human will power? Please, let us not insult God to the point of risking the potential of Him crying tears of laughter. The dolphins in the oceans will even be laughing at us if we humans actually believe human will power is the answer to everything. Human will power? It is NOTHING when compared to God's will. Meanwhile, politicians remain locked and chained to this dichotomous 'us versus them' type of infantile mentality.

Paul-Emile Leray

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