"Crossing the Line": A Tale of a US Veteran Who Left to Live in the DPRK

[The Vegan Marxist]

“On August 15th, at noon in broad daylight when everybody was eating lunch, I hit the road. Yes I was afraid. Am I gonna live or die? And when I stepped into the minefield and I seen it with my own eyes, I started sweating. I crossed over, looking for my new life.”

James Joseph Dresnok (Comrade Joe (http://marxistleninist.wordpress.com/2009/05/28/comrade-joe-a-u-s-defector-in-the-democratic-peoples-republic-of-korea/)) defected from the U.S. Army in 1963 to a better life in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK – North Korea), he has lived there for 43 years. Dresnok has stated that he intends to spend the rest of his life in North Korea, and that no amount of money could entice him back to the West.

In this documentary, “Crossing the Line”, (here in 9 parts) he tells the story of his fascinating life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGIndKDBjyg&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qIMq-EmJxk&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykFQg58M5P8&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h4XBmXOUJc&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xelMBK4phc&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tAN4x-TlfI&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMzXK8V8s9Q&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RHsDnm7xjw&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLWmubDogiU&feature=player_embedded

http://marxistleninist.wordpress.com/2009/12/09/documentary-crossing-the-line/#more-4116

[AK]

I was tempted to stop watching after the narrator said the soldier was sent to Korea to "guard the peace".

[The Vegan Marxist]

I stopped watching after the narrator said the soldier was sent to Korea to "guard the peace".

That's the most idiotic reason for not watching a video that I've heard lately. But w/e, like I really care.

[Paulappaul]

Beautiful story, almost got me tearing up at the end.

[AK]

That's the most idiotic reason for not watching a video that I've heard lately. But w/e, like I really care.
I thought it was going to be nothing but propaganda. As it turns out, only some is propaganda. :)

[Os Cangaceiros]

How come that particular video is always posted whenever the DPRK is brought up?

It's almost as if certain people think that one man's opinion is worth more than the thousands of undocumented North Korean ex-pats living in China, who live in mortal terror of being captured and deported.

[ContrarianLemming]

I assume he lives in Pyongang (or however it's spelt), in which case the point of the documentory seems moot, only pro DPRK get to live there.

[Wanted Man]

I assume he lives in Pyongang (or however it's spelt), in which case the point of the documentory seems moot, only pro DPRK get to live there.

What do you think is the "point" of the documentary, besides documenting the man's life?

[Os Cangaceiros]

All political considerations aside, it is an interesting story.