Choi Sung-ryong, a 73-year-old South Korean activist, has dedicated nearly six decades to advocating for the return of several hundred South Koreans abducted by North Korean agents. Choi's personal connection to this cause began when his father was forcibly taken north of the border during Choi's teenage years. Now, he is employing modern technology, specifically drones, to intensify his campaign for justice and reunification.
As the founder of the Association of Those Abducted by North Korea, Choi has tirelessly fought to bring attention to the plight of these individuals. Many abductees were never permitted by Pyongyang to return home, and a number have died in North Korea without ever seeing South Korea again. In a dramatic turn of events, five years after the association accused some members of complicity in the abductions, Choi's father was executed for treason at the age of 62.
Choi's current campaign is aimed at Chosen Soren, the General Association of Korean Residents of Japan. This organization, which boasts a membership of 70,000 individuals who pledge allegiance to Pyongyang, has come under Choi’s scrutiny. He plans to use drones to deliver leaflets into their heavily fortified compound in Tokyo. These leaflets will detail the abductions and serve as a rallying cry for action.
The use of drones is a significant leap in Choi's strategy to raise awareness and exert pressure on North Korea. By utilizing this technology, he hopes to reach a broader audience and spotlight the ongoing injustices faced by abductees and their families. Choi believes that increasing public awareness will eventually force Pyongyang to allow these individuals to return home.
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