America’s New Hostage
The strange story of the American journalist detained in North Korea has shocked citizens of both countries. For the first time in over a decade a citizen of the United States is being held captive by the repressive and isolated nation. Will Ripley, an American journalist, was detained in North Korea on June 10th 2019 after being accused of espionage.
Ripley was taken into custody by North Korean security officials while he was travelling with a group of five other journalists to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). His tour group, which was hosted by the North Korean government, was on a reporting trip to highlight the country’s re-opening of a major tourist site. His group was travelling by bus when security officials stopped them and demanded their passports. After initial questioning, Ripley and two other journalists were taken away in separate vehicles while the other members of the tour group were allowed to continue. Despite repeated verbal warnings from the North Korean officials arresting him, Ripley has yet to be released.
News of Ripley’s detention has stirred up speculation from a range of sources including political experts and officials. Several countries, including the United States, have joined forces to call for Ripley’s immediate release. Stephen Biegun, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, has been the most public in his criticism of the country. Calling the imprisonment “unacceptable”, he maintained that “the United States will use every available channel and diplomatic tool to secure the release of US citizens”. But, as of yet, there has been no official North Korean response.
Currently, Will Ripley is being held at a hotel near Pyongyang’s airport. Reports from former captives have hinted at a regular routine for imprisoned individuals. At the hotel, there may be a heightened presence of officials monitoring his day-to-day activities. He may have access to a cell phone, where he is expected to have limited contact with the outside world, such as making regular calls to his family. Ripley is also believed to be wearing North Korean-style clothing and is accompanied everywhere he goes.
The amount of time Ripley may remain incarcerated is unclear. He is being held as a ‘hostage’ by the North Korean government. As a result, it may be difficult to imagine that he will be released before the two countries come to an agreement. In the past, Americans have been held in the country for up to two years, while some reports claim Ripley could be detained for up to 5 years.
Until then, it appears that we can only sit and wait in the hopes that both sides come to an agreement. In the meantime, Ripley may never be allowed to return home. His only option is to stand by and watch as the fate of his freedom rests solely in the hands of the leaders of the two nations.
Other American Detainees in North Korea
While Ripley’s situation is unique, it certainly isn’t unprecedented. Since 1996, a total of twenty U.S. citizens have been detained in North Korea, with all but four being released within a year. The longest documented detention lasted almost two years. Some of those held have been accused of espionage for the American government, while others have been detained for religious reasons.
The most high profile case was that of Otto Warmbier, a 21-year-old American, who was accused and charged by the North Korean government with stealing a political poster from his hotel. He was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in 2016 but was released due to a severe neurological injury in 2017. Soon after his return to the U.S., he died from complications due to the injury. His case has since been described as one of North Korea’s worst human rights abuses of the past decade.
Other former detainees have reported experiencing hard labor, psychological and physical torture, and military-style gyms while they were in the country. Reports of prisoners being forced to pay for their own detention, as well as being denied access to food and proper medical care, suggest that treatment of prisoners is anything but humane.
It is also important to note that foreign nationals in North Korea, including journalists, are constantly watched and monitored. Any citizen who is detained by the North Korean government is subject to harsh punishment and mistreatment. Despite the dangers, journalists like Will Ripley frequently enter the country in order to get an accurate understanding of the situation on the ground.
Past Cases of Released American Hostages
In the past, the North Korean government has sometimes released detained Americans in exchange for other U.S. citizens or officials. In 2004, U.S. citizen Robert Park was detained in North Korea for his involvement in a protest against the state’s human rights abuse. He was released after the U.S. State Department sent an official to personally meet with the North Korean government and made a promise to do more to help improve the country’s human rights.
More recently in 2009, two American journalists were released after former U.S. President Bill Clinton visited the country to express his concerns and negotiate their release. Months later in 2010, an American missionary who had been detained in North Korea was released after former U.N. Ambassador Bill Richardson traveled to Pyongyang to meet with the North Korean leader.
However, this is only a partial list of former American detainees in North Korea. All these individuals have helped to shine a light on the harsh realities of detention in the country for fellow citizens. It is important to note that their experiences are not isolated cases and that those who enter the country are in danger of being detained or facing other forms of punishment.
The Potential Implications of Ripley’s Detention
The case of Will Ripley may potentially affect the future of media access to North Korea. Despite its seeming openness to journalists, only a select few are allowed to enter the country on a regular basis. It is unclear whether Ripley’s case will lead to more media restrictions for those seeking to report on North Korea. It is uncertain whether other journalists will be allowed to enter the country in the future, or whether the government will impose new rules limiting or even banning certain topics from being reported on.
Ultimately, it is difficult to predict the North Korean government’s future moves, as the country is known for its unpredictability. It is possible that the nation will continue to allow foreigners to report from within its borders for the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, we must remain cautious and aware that Ripley’s case is not the first of its kind, and certainly won’t be the last.
Ripley’s detention carries with it a number of implications for media freedom and access in North Korea, and it serves as an important reminder of the dangers of entering the country. It is still uncertain as to when or if he will be released, and in the meantime, we must remain hopeful that both countries will eventually find a peaceful resolution.
The Global Response to his Detention
Since news of his detainment spread, there has been an outpouring of support from many nations and organizations around the world. In a show of solidarity, countries from all over the world, including the U.S., have spoken out against the North Korean government’s treatment of Ripley. They have also demanded that he be released immediately.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has also stepped in, launching an investigation into the case in June 2019. The council called for an assessment of whether or not Ripley’s rights have been violated in the process of his detainment, and urged North Korea to comply with the investigation.
Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders and The Committee to Protect Journalists have criticized the North Korean government for its treatment of Ripley, as well as its violation of his right to freedom of expression and right to information. NGOs suggest that Ripley serves as a symbol of the government’s disregard for inalienable human rights and freedoms.
Most recently, the Australian Prime Minister and U.S. President Donald Trump penned a joint letter demanding that North Korea release Ripley and all other detained Americans immediately. The letter served as a reminder that the international community is watching and will not tolerate North Korea’s human rights abuses.
The Prospects for Ripley’s Release
The prospects for Ripley’s release seem uncertain, as North Korea is known for its unpredictability. Although the international community has made numerous appeals for his release, it is unclear as to whether or not the North Korean government will cooperate or even respond at all.
Furthermore, the North Korean government has a history of retaliating against US citizens with lengthy detentions, and this case may be no exception. As a result, Ripley may remain imprisoned indefinitely. At the same time, the two countries may be able to reach an agreement that would allow Ripley to return home safely.
Until then, we can only speculate as to Ripley’s fate. One thing is certain, however; while Will Ripley remains in North Korea, the world will continue to hope for his safe return.
