U.S. Military Used Christian NGO as Front for North Korea Espionage

[Jludo]

https://theintercept.com/2015/10/26...hristian-ngo-front-for-north-korea-espionage/

Anyone have issues with this? Or is it an all is fair kind of thing.

It feels similar to using polio vaccinations in Pakistan as cover in the search for Bin Laden.

 

[Arthur Dent]

Probably not the first time and it certainly won't be the last. Every third world country loves the humanitarian aid they get.

 

[ArmedProgrammer]

It definitely put legit aid workers at risk, assuming it to be true.

My concern doesn't have a thing to do with Hiramine's faith or anything else. Anytime you use unwitting volunteers in a spy operation - that's not right. It's one thing if they signed up to smuggle something into NK. But to unwittingly use the aid workers as mules, is not right.

It is remarkable that someone of Japanese ancestry (as Hiramine is) was allowed access ANYWHERE in Korea. The two countries HATE one another, and the Koreans have a fair amount of historical reason on their side for their hatred.


Interesting - I'll have to read up further when I can.

 

[Jludo]

Makes you question when some US citizens are detained in other countries for being spies, maybe some actually are spies. Not in the traditional CIA recruit trained to be a spy but asked to do uncle Sam some favors while doing humanitarian work.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Anyone have issues with this?

No. It's about time the Christians In Action do the needful such as killing Communists.

 

[indiucky]

No. It's about time the Christians In Action do the needful such as killing Communists.

 

[T.Lex]

Good book that deals with these kinds of topics:
http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Play-Moral-Dilemmas-Spying/dp/1597971537

Basically, people with strong nationalism can be induced to do "small things" like drop a radio relay or covert GPS device into a certain place without much trouble. From there, the role can expand.

 

[SEIndSAM]

The North Koreans treat everyone as if they are a spy. So I don't see where it makes any difference...

 

[KittySlayer]

It feels similar to using polio vaccinations in Pakistan as cover in the search for Bin Laden.

This was the example I was thinking of. The unintended consequences of the return of polio may outweigh getting the bad guy in some situations. In other situations the bad guy or the bad government may be of greater concern than handing out bibles and and western culture knick knacks. Something that needs decided by non-politically motivated individuals behind closed doors and then everyone keeps their mouth shut.

...asked for anonymity because discussing classified military and intelligence matters would put them at risk of prosecution

What I find equally disturbing is people not keeping their mouth shut about classified matters. Perhaps a few prosecutions with severe consequences would allow us to keep secrets secret.

 

[Jludo]

This was the example I was thinking of. The unintended consequences of the return of polio may outweigh getting the bad guy in some situations. In other situations the bad guy or the bad government may be of greater concern than handing out bibles and and western culture knick knacks. Something that needs decided by non-politically motivated individuals behind closed doors and then everyone keeps their mouth shut.



What I find equally disturbing is people not keeping their mouth shut about classified matters. Perhaps a few prosecutions with severe consequences would allow us to keep secrets secret.

I'm sure the north Koreans have some idea what's going on, I personally like learning of these things which I otherwise wouldn't for 50 years if ever.