Kim, Kasab, Korea and Karkare
I accidentally read about Kim Hyon-hui. Her story [Link] is so strikingly similar to Kasab’s that it needs to be recounted; it may perhaps hold a clue for further action.
Kim was born in North Korea in 1962 and she was recruited by her country’s secret service agency when she was nineteen. She was given extensive physical training as well as training in handling firearms and explosives. She and another agent were given an important assignment – to blow up Korean Airlines Flight 858. Kim was told that the order came from Kim Jong II, the de facto leader of North Korea.
Kim and the other agent boarded Flight 858 and placed a bomb in it. They disembarked at the stop over at Abu Dhabi. The Flight 858 flew towards its destination Bangkok but exploded over Bay of Bengal killing all the 115 persons aboard. This was in 1987. [Link]
Kim and her accomplice travelled to Bahrain where they were apprehended. The accomplice consumed cyanide and died, but Kim’s attempt was unsuccessful, she survived.
Kim was tried in South Korea. Kim was shown the prosperity of South Korea. She realised that North Korea had given her information about South Korea which was nothing but propaganda. She was sentenced to death in March 1989. Kim was pardoned by South Korea’s President. She lives in South Korea today and is married. She has published her autobiography ‘Tears of my Soul’ and has given away the proceeds to the Flight 858 victims’ families.
The US State Department refers to Flight 858 bombing as a ‘Terrorist Act’. UN Security council discussed the matter but could not pass any resolution.
[There are, of course, some allegations. A section of American Press said ‘it was unknown whether Kim was coerced in her remarks or her remorse for her action’. It is also alleged that her autobiography may not be authentic in as much as translations may not be reliable.]
There are several parallels that we can see with India- Pakistan – Kasab situation. A unified country was divided by foreign powers. One was under democratic rule while the other was otherwise. One is alleged to be involved or aided terrorist activity. Large numbers of people were killed in the action in which the terrorist was involved. There is no doubt about involvement of the person charged. And so on….
The story points out some possibilities for action in Kasab case: [a] Government of India can hang Kasab after he is held guilty; [b] Government of India can pardon him and use him, like Kim, to show to the world that the real criminals are those who recruited Kasab and directed him to conduct the terrorist operation. This would call for very skilful handling of the entire case.
If South Korea can do it, why not India? After all, the second option gives greater credit and political mileage to India. And that Mr. Karkare’s daughter feels that Kasab should not be sent to gallows sets the stage for such an action.
It requires great skill and will to do what South Korea did. Do you think our leaders have it?
Vivek
Option (B) would be a brave step indeed, but two things scare me – firstly, religious indoctrination may be harder to change than political indoctrination. Secondly, can we trust our leaders not to use the whole exercise for political mileage.
The environment is different. Kim was indoctrinated in a political system of communism, which has basically fizzled out the world over since the 90’s.
Kasab has been indoctrinated by religious zealots, ( subscribing to an ancient religion with well defined documentation) who , consequent to planned suppression of education, have become successful in polarizing so many countries into fundamentalist philosphy. Some for religion, and some for reasons of unbridled power and money. And it is growing…
Like Sucharita, I absolutely dont trust our politicians.
Hanging Kasab, will sort of bring a closure to events. His being alive will be a constant reminder to those similarly misguided, and will keep our citizenry , hopefully , more on their toes.
Try telling that to those whose fathers, mothers and children had their lives snuffed out simply because, they stood at a platform to catch a train to their native place, after being the first successful person in their family, hardworking, sole bread winner etc.
And I also suspect that Kim and Kasab differed in the level of their basic education…
But certainly a thought provoking post…..
the post is a food for thought….but honestly, do we trust our politicians? and secondly indian politicians do not hve the courage to take either of the two steps suggested here.
Would that it were possible to harness the strength of will it takes these people to terrorise folk and make them realise that if they used their brains and energy for good instead of ill……
Cheers, Kate x.
Wonderful that you have brought this up and connected the dots sir.
Our political class is all of politics and no leadership. It requires courage to step and contemplate such things even understanding that this could be unpopular…
But do we have anybody who can engage in these things ? And that includes the media and society as well. Can there be space to engage in such a discussion..in the first place..like you have ?
Thanks Sucharita, Ugich Konitari, Jyotsana, Kate and Kavi.
I was struck by similarities in the story. And unanimity in everybody’s view that our leaders are incapable to carry out an experiment like the one South Korea did.
Thanks for your response,
Vivek
The answer in “NO”
Thank you for the story of Kim and also the link to the details of Kasab.
“If South Korea can do it, why not India?”
From what I’ve gathered and my knowledge is very limited, Kasab didn’t have the misrepresentations that Kim did.
I agree, that the more sinister criminals are those who recruit, but it is the example of what happens that sets a pace. It’s a difficult decision to make and certainly one to ponder. But the question is, how do you know what the heart of the person is ~ what was manipulated or what was actually there?
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This story was probably unknown to most of us…thanks for sharing.
The story of Kim was indeed similar to that of Kasab. But as pointed out my others, the significant difference is that Kasab and impressionable youngsters like him, have been indoctrinated into religious fanaticism. It’s different from socio-political rebellion. They have been brainwashed into believing that killing the ‘pagans’ will earn them a place in heaven. The jehadis, as they claim, are fighting for a religious cause.
And in our country, communal sensitivity is misused as a trumpcard by our politicians, who are not LEADERS in any sense of the word and are more of conmen/manipulators. They are in the profession to ONLY serve their self interest.
Though pardoning Kasab will indeed be a brave act but as pointed out , it will be misconstrued and political parties will vie with one another to gain political mileage out of it or a mudslinging match will follow …
Well, my comment may sound emotional…. But Kasab and Kim…No comparison….
I would suggest a 3rd type of punishment…. a torture for rest of his life…. A life he will regret to have lived at every breath..Every moment of his life should be a message that u cannot commit a crime and get away… the purpose is that he has committed a sin he cannot be forgiven.. I don not want my country to show that if u kill people and feel remorseful, u can have a life…Bullshit….A crime is a crime…religious, political etc. Had this crime been in self defense, it can be forgiven to an extent..But the only problem lies in leadership and police of this country both of which are one of the pathetic ones in the world….
"If you bloody the nos of a bully, the bully is not going to come back". Kim was more disillusioned by the view of her country, while Kasab is blinded by religion, don't think that he can be treated the same way! Besides the religious divide might not let this kind of an act take place successfully.
Would she have an option but to not fake remorse and regret? Is the prosperity of South Korea a good enough reason for such a drastic Change? Not sure, but maybe! Do all this and achieve what? Give a daily reason to cry for everyone who has lost innocent people performing their daily chores to bullets of hardcore trained terrorists? Do this and achieve what? Give Biryanis and further encouragement to prospect terrorists? Do this and achieve what? Disrespect another Mohan Chand Sharma or Mr. Karkare? All this to prove a point that we are not barbaric? Id rather hang him in public and give the minimum bit of satisfaction to anyone who has suffered a loss at his hands..