Koreans see hint
of opennessIsle groups gather aid in answer
to North Korea's plea after
a deadly train crash
North Korea experts and Hawaii residents with family in the poverty-stricken nation say they are hoping the North Korean government signaled a movement toward openness when it asked for aid in the wake of a catastrophic train explosion late last month.
"The majority of Koreans see this as a real opportunity," said Duk Hee Lee Murabayashi, a professor at the University of Hawaii's Center for Korean Studies. "This event will actually help North Korea. That's what we're hoping."
The explosion, in the North Korean town of Ryongchon, killed 161 people and injured 1,300. Officials have said the disaster occurred when a train full of oil and chemicals hit power lines.
In an unprecedented move soon after the accident, the North Korean government distributed news about the explosion and asked for help in dealing with it.
In response, the nation has received aid from several countries, including the United States.
"I see this as an opportunity for North Korea to be more willingly open to the international community," Murabayashi said. "Helping this isolated country will really help them to open up."
The disaster has also mobilized several Korean groups in Hawaii to gather funds for the explosion's victims and their families.
At the Christ United Methodist Church, which has a 900-member Korean congregation, donations were being sought yesterday for the effort. More funds will be gathered this Sunday.
"North Korea has been closed long enough." said Lee Kyung Suk, an administrator at the church. "They've never asked for help. It's about time they open up."
Hawaii Ibuk Dominhoe, an organization of Hawaii residents who are originally from North Korea or have family in the country, is also spearheading a drive to gather funds for the explosion's relief effort.
The group, which was formed a year ago, hopes to raise $100,000 and will start tomorrow by collecting donations from 1 to 7 p.m. at Palama Super Market and Queen's Super Market in Kalihi, said the group's events director, Mark Sim.
On Saturday the organization will work with the United Korean Association of Hawaii to gather donations at a festival in Kapiolani Park from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
"We want to do something," said Sung Keun Bae, the organization's president. "The people dying out there. We want to try to help them out."
Bae, who has uncles in North Korea, is one of about 5,000 Hawaii residents who were born in the totalitarian state.
"All my organization members, they still want to visit their hometown (in North Korea), but they cannot," he said. "Maybe through this kind (of disaster) ... North Korea will realize how much we are trying to help them out. They can open their hands to us."
Jaseun Lee, a reporter with the Korean-language Korea Daily in Hawaii, said she has heard from a number of Koreans in the islands since the explosion occurred who also want to get aid to North Korea.
"The Korean community in Hawaii, they really have sympathy of them," she said. "People think, 'They are our brothers, sisters and kids.'"