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60 Minutes Overtime, 12.02.12

December 2, 2012 4:08 PM

Anderson Cooper profiles Shin Dong-hyuk, who escaped Camp 14 - a secret prison in North Korea. Shin explains the hunger, the beatings and the horrifying conditions of his captivity, as well as his new-found life in America since his escape.

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by marksman101 December 3, 2012 5:57 PM EST
I find your question, "How could this still happen in this day and age?" rather ignorant of (the pathetically unchanging) human nature. What makes the 21st century human any different from previous generations? More specifically, and as uncomfortable and unfortunate as the comparison may be, modern-day Americans are easily comparable to the German citizens (Nazis) of the second world war, ignoring modern-day concentration camps like Guantanamo Bay. They are even rationalized in the same way, as being for "enemies of the State that would do us harm". But regardless of the target population, rationale, or "day and age", human behavior remains the same; chosen ignorance.

...But I agree with your exasperation at the hopelessness of the situation.
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by DunBe2Surprised December 3, 2012 1:06 AM EST
I am not surprised people are surprised about the existence of these camps. Stuff like this happens all the time, but people in America refuse to believe it. There are certainly places like this in Russia, Burma, and especially China. Hell, you can look online and see people murdering people on websites easily accessible by any lay computer user. A new one pops up every day in Mexico, Brazil, the middle east... beheadings, shootings, rape... look for yourself. It's sad but the sooner you come to know the sooner you can make a change.

Also, Anderson Cooper, stop mocking this guy. He talks about a serious issue and Anderson Cooper makes snarky observation about the man's notion of "freedom" (talking about when he snarks at the guy wanting to eat some chicken). Pathetic.
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by pattizzz December 2, 2012 11:12 PM EST
Who in the world has the power or authority to inflict mental, physical and emotional trauma for generations is beyond comprehension. How could this still happen in this day and age? DIdn't anyone investigate or question the electric fences that secured/guarded the atrocities that occurred within the confines. What type of persons would work or be involved day after day keeping their dark secrets to themselves manage to live with their conscience? To know and do nothing is equally shocking and especially disturbing. When we have access to such information it is impossible not to acknowledge and do nothing. Three generations to be punished for some act that was misunderstood or unknown to exist in permanent oppression, unbelievable fear with absolutely no rights--not even to know how to feel--completely powerless. That is what a human being does to their own kind. This is so wrong. And, it's got to stop. RIght now. When people who are morally without a conscience surround themselves with their own kind and given power. We then have the Hitlers of the world. When do we learn and have enough courage to stop the madness. It starts with knowing and facing the truths of our actions. Are they honorable? pz
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