Comments on: Joe Dresnok: An American In North Korea

Bob Simon Reports On The Last U.S. Soldier Still Living In North Korea

[fleshmonger6]

A wonderful example of the truth that a human being will fall for anything, no matter how obvious it is that reality doesn't support it. The sad fact is that we don't have to go half way across the world to see this principal at work, just read some of the post...

[rpaulstu]

What a sad, sad story. A not-too-bright guy makes a stupid decision and pays for it--as he should--for the rest of his life.

Hardly someone to be angry at, and not worthy of our sympathy. Gone and--rightly--forgotten.

[rufusmin]

I note that so many posters here think this guy "used" the media to spew his whatever. I don't see where he, himself, initiated publiczing his story. It was those two British guys who went after this story. Note that after 44 years Joe's story is only now coming out. Blame the "free, Western civilization" media for this. I expect the only reason the N. Korean government let these guys do the documentary was just their way of giving out propaganda about how wonderful their society is (at least, they think it is). Of course, I wouldn't trade my life here in the good ol' US of A for what goes on in N. Korea. Even with all this madness of technology and geekdom. But at least I can choose how much of it I'll buy into (like using it to express my considered opinion in a forum such as this). But as I said previously, this guy named Joe had such a dismal life as an American, it's no wonder he fell for the N. Korean exploitation.

[mwitmer]

I served in the U.S. Army on the Korean DMZ in 1973. There were hundreds of "Joe Dresnoks" there--who stayed on their own side of the line--at any given time. We were just a bunch of young, lonely kids deployed to a distant, forgotten, seemingly God-forsaken--and dangerous--place for 13 months. I'm just suprised more didn't "go north."

[nyckate]

Wow - this is one mean-spirited angry little pissant - one thing is for *** sure - the US is much better off without the likes Joe Dresnok.

That's not to say that the story isn't interesting - jsut that this guy never had anything to contribute to anywhere, anytime, anyplace -- he's more than happy to sit there and be taken care even knowing that others were starving so he could fill his fat belly.

[rufusmin]

After seeing the segment on the technology and geek revolution, I think maybe this Joe Dresnok guy has the better part! The revelation that bicycles aren't even much in evidence so the government can keep better track of its citizens--well look what all the mobility in this country leads to: nationwide serial killers, rampant drug dealing and children running away and living on the streets and resorting to God knows what to survive! And the breakdown of families that leads to all this horror. But getting back to Joe Dresnok, one should remember that at the time he ran away to N.Korea, he was a poor soul. Unless one walked in his shoes, one ought not to be too critical of what he did. Of course, we can sit here in our ivory towers in the good ol' US of A and pat ourselves on the back that WE would never do such a thing, and OUR government doesn't use defectors from other countries to ours as a propaganda tool. Hey, didn't you hear Bush's State of the Union speech last week? Talk about propaganda machine! Sure, the N.Korean government gave this poor slob from the U.S. red carpet treatment: apartment, food, clothing and Jack Daniels. Joe probably felt like he'd died and went to heaven.

[nbbrunner]

What was the point of this story? Joe Dresnok is a traitor and deserter! Shame on you for being his champion. He does not deserve any attention from anyone is the USA.

[jvtut]

I found the story interesting. Mr. Dresnok appears to be a pompous ***, not to mention the already known fact that he is a traitor. Glad that he "decided" to stay there, as if he had any other option. I also found it disturbing to see that he is "fed" Jack Daniels at will; can't imagine what that must cost there. One would think he would have refused the drink and requested that the money be spent on rice for hungry North Koreans since he acknowledged that he knew about millions dying there of hunger.

[nbbrunner]

What is the point of this story? He is a traitor and deserter and does not deserve any recognition! Shame on you for promoting this man.

[cbsjerry]

There seems to be no greed, no ambition to aquire great wealth, make more money and live in a bigger better house than your neighbors. They don't have hi-tech gadgets that most people must have but don't even understand how to use what they have. They don't have muti-millionairs that are given more millions on severance all because they are incompetant. They don't have muti-million dollar ball players. The list goes on and on.

[olifmatthews]

Thanks for letting us know what is happening in North Korea, both with the deserters and letting us see some of the things that we have not been able to see. I served in Korea in 1952 and was amazed at the comparison of the two Korea's now. I revisited South Korea last year on the Korea Revisit program sponsored by the South Korean Veterans Services and could not believe the progress that has been made. Too bad we could not have followed Gen McArthur's advice and got the two re- unified.

[mzungutembo]

I lived in S. Korea for two years and found this story very interesting. Too many comments above are taking the stance of 'anti-American' or 'traitor'. To me it was a story about a guy who has done something very interesting, whether you agree with it or not. Living in S. Korea many Americans find ourselves intrigued by the cult of personality 'just over the hills' that is North Korea. Read "Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader" for more insight to this 'strange' place. Great story.

[pmsnapp97]

While watching the news segment on Joe Dresnok, the last U. S. Defector in North Korea, I was extremely disturbed at his language, which in this day and time seems to be second nature to far too many people. However, what was most disturbing was not just his use of the Lord's name in vain, it was the fact that your producer, therefore your company, did not care enough about my and others right not the hear that phrase to even bleep it. Then when I logged on and scanned the story online, I was amazed to discover that you blocked out the last three letters in the word ***. How can you justify your decision to allow this sort of language. I am a born again Christian, an African-American born in the United States and after my forefathers fought for my right to do so many things, now, the one thing that this country was founded upon, the freedom of worship, is being trampled upon by our extreme leniency of the freedom of speech. I am seriously considering leading a boycott against CBS, its affiliates and all its subsidiaries. Please reconsider your reasons for editing or not editing a news story.

[bhamer2]

You should be ashamed of yourselves, I have watched you show for over 40 years. I will never see it again, How could you talk about a traiter, we have enough people dying for this county let alone you showin somethin about that piece of ***. That piece of *** should hang.

[dprkstudies]

The story was neither anti-war for Iraq, North Korea, or anywhere else. It%u2019s interesting to see what he has to say, and telling that he was fairly careful in word selection a few times, proof he still needs to watch exactly what he says. He was also drinking Jack Daniels whiskey %u2013 a bottle of that likely costs more in North Korea than the average person will make in several months. His %u201Cprivileged%u201D apartment looks more like something illegal immigrants in the U.S. might live it. All that is telling, and worth learning from.

[kathy9209]

Let him stay where he is! For someone who has no use for our country, he seemed to enjoy the fame he got using our media to publish his traitorous behavior. And you should be ashamed for giving him a stage. We wouldn't trade anything for him either!

[kathy9209]

Let him stay where he is! For someone who has no use for our country, he seemed to enjoy the fame he got using our media to publish his traitorous behavior. And you should be ashamed for giving him a stage. We wouldn't trade anything for him either!

[kathy9209]

Let him stay where he is! For someone who has no use for our country, he seemed to enjoy the fame he got using our media to publish his traitorous behavior. And you should be ashamed for giving him a stage. We wouldn't trade anything for him either!

[h2odale]

60 Minutes should be ashamed to give this traitor any kind of press at all. We have thousands of men and women giving their lives for our country everyday. Do stories on these heros and their families. I was completely disgusted by your coverage and am very disappointed in your show.

[hankjohnda]

This "story" reaks of an anti-war sentiment about Iraq, not N. Korea. This man's comments and sentiments are irrelevant and invalid; who cares what he thinks and how does he have the nerve to call himself an American? Your reporters should be more honest with Americans and themselves. You can do better!