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The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

SCMP
Asia

The Korea Times

Opinion

Columnists

20. Casey Latigue

People are negative

When people use the idiom “a penny for your thoughts,” I say, “You will probably get back $10 of criticism.” If you want to know what others think then it means you don't know humans very well. People are negative, but they rarely express those thoughts.

2023-03-21 16:54

Mentoring while Black

One thing I have learned from working with North Korean refugees is that many avoid public speaking because audiences may not understand the context of North Korea. A recent incident has had me trying to explain to North Korean refugees an unfortunate reality in America.

2023-02-16 16:50

My heart still isn't broken

When I meet South Koreans who are negative about North Korean refugees, I ask them why. Some mention having to pay higher taxes because of North Korea and North Korean refugees and the negative stories they read about North Korean refugees. When I ask how many North Korean refugees they have met, most say, “None.”

2023-01-19 16:50

Honorary citizenship

I have lived in several cities in three different countries (United States, Taiwan and South Korea). Seoul is the first city to choose me.

2022-12-22 16:40

Workable worders

Some moderators and organization leaders are apologetic when they introduce me at their events. One organization president introducing me as the keynote speaker distanced herself so much from my activities that after she concluded her remarks, I asked, “Are you still sure you want me to speak?”

2022-11-24 14:14

Normal questions, abnormal country

Over the last decade I have organized numerous conferences and forums featuring North Korean refugees. One of the best insights was from a North Korean refugee who said during Q&A that one main reason North Korea continues to survive is that people look at it as a normal country.

2022-10-27 15:16

Lovely criticism

Some of the most heartwarming criticism I have received has come from the North Korean refugees I have worked with for almost a decade.

2022-09-01 16:14

Tears in our office

A great thing about the internet is the many great quotes of wisdom. Sometimes, however, that wisdom can come into conflict.

2022-08-04 16:51

Humor, my CIA way

A South Korean friend recently asked me to “teach” her how to have a good sense of humor. She admired me for having fun even though I deal with serious social issues. My secret sauce? I turn alleged insults into compliments, then get back to work fueled by the compliments of critics.

2022-07-07 16:23

Unthinkable in North Korea

Tae Yong-ho made international news in 2016 with his dramatic escape to South Korea. Then North Korea's deputy ambassador to the United Kingdom, he has been described as one of the highest-ranking North Korean officials to escape from the regime.

2022-06-09 16:24

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