上の原文
Harassment of students must stop
Having taught English at a North Korea (Chongryun)-affiliated junior high school and
elementary school in Okayama for the past five years, I am embarrassed and outraged by
the recent behavior of some individuals toward North Korean residents in Japan. I am
particularly disturbed by the atrocious actions taken against children of North Korean schools.
Where I teach, students have been harassed and now no longer wear their school uniforms outside
of school. There are children who were not even born when the abductions of Japanese citizens who
were not even born when the abductions of Japanese citizens took place. Moreover, I hear reports
of people who want Chongryun investigated and Chongryun members who visit North Korea to be refused
re-entry into Japan. Yet I have not heard a single politician or public official speak out against
the harassment of North Koreans living in Japan. Why is this?
I often hear people say North Koreans are “mysterious” and “scary.” But when asked if they
have ever met a North Korean, the answer is always no. Well, I know several North Koreans, and they
have shown nothing but kindness and generosity to me (the son of a U.S. veteran of the Korean War)
and my family, friends and coworkers (from Canada, Australia, and Japan).
I would like to suggest that those who read this letter visit a North Korean school in their area.
They would most assuredly be welcomed. They should find out for themselves what I have known for
five years. As a teacher at the school told me, all people have to do is understand each other.
It is that simple.
JGW
Okayama
(
http://www.japantimes.com/ric.htm )