[b]Is NK Activist Following 1st Protestant Martyr?
Was Robert Park, the American Christian activist, who crossed into North Korea on Christmas Day shouting ``God loves you’’ consciously walking in the footsteps of the first protestant martyr in Korea?
When Park entered North Korea, he made it clear he was fully accepting the possible dangers that lay ahead.
``I do not want President Obama to come and pay to get me out,’’ said Park in an interview with Reuters, before his crossing into North Korea. ``Until the concentration camps are liberated, I do not want to come out. If I have to die with them, I will.’’
A British friend of Park’s, who wished to stay anonymous due to the sensitivity of his work with North Korean refugees, has confirmed that Park told him he had been inspired by reading the story of Robert Jermain Thomas, a Welsh protestant missionary killed in Pyongyang.
One week before his Christmas Day crossing, Park wrote a letter to the husband of the author of a book about Thomas, Stella Price, saying how he had been ``very moved’’ by the ``amazing biography.’’
Robert Thomas arrived on the peninsula in 1865 when Korea was closed to missionaries. He was on a secret trip to distribute Bibles for the National Bible Society of Scotland.
He learned some of the language and returned in 1866 as interpreter on an armed American trading ship, the USS General Sherman, arriving at a time when secret Catholic believers were being persecuted.
Thousands were executed, including several foreign priests. The ship was attacked near Pyongyang and no one survived. Thomas was reportedly beheaded giving a Bible to his executioner.
Robert Jermain Thomas
Many Koreans visit the Hanover United Reformed Church, Llanover, Wales, to pay respect to Thomas, whose father was a former minister of the church.
In 1931, Koreans, apparently erected a Robert Jermain Thomas Memorial Church near the spot where he died.
Although some Internet commentary has brandished Robert Park as unstable, and even insane, those who have met him say he is sincere and passionate about his belief.
``Of course when something like this happens (his sanity) is always a question that is asked,’’ said Lauren Walker, a fellow activist for the North formerly involved with Park in Seoul. ``I definitely would not describe him as insane. He was a very loving individual.’’
Park crossed illegally from China into North Korea on Dec. 25.
He was carrying a letter calling on Kim Jong-il to set political prisoners free and ``repent,’’ and crossed shouting, ``I am an American citizen. I am bringing God’s love. God loves you.’’
North Korea’s state news agency confirmed the capture of an American citizen three days later. The report did not disclose his identity.