With North Korea currently in the process of lumbering itself with another dear leader, whose mother, somewhat surprisingly, was a Japanese-born ‘consort’, the chance to meet Charles Robert Jenkins was a very timely one indeed. A man who, after defecting when he was only 24-years-old in a move that he now describes as the biggest mistake of his life, suffered a mindboggling 40 years in the hermit kingdom, making him a genuinely unique individual with quite a tale to tell to put it mildly.
Details of which really don’t need to be repeated here, as they are well documented on the internet and in the man’s own memoirs, but having the chance to talk to him about his new life on Sado Island with his wife and daughters — who it turns out still talk in the language of their captors when they are together — along with everything else from motorbikes, rice selling and of course North Korea, was absolutely fascinating. A rare mix of history, politics and redemption all encapsulated in one person.
Yet perhaps even more staggering than the story itself, is the fella himself, as, after going through what is utterly unimaginable to most, he has somehow come out the other side both a devoted family man and a genuinely accommodating and friendly individual.
A feat many of us fail to manage in the most welcome of situations, let alone the worst.
Durf says
I remember when he got out of the North and came to Japan there was a lot of tooth-gnashing among the American righties: “He’s guilty of treason and should be executed” and so on. Hope that’s all died down now. I imagine it could pick up once again when the film version of his book comes out—kind of surprising to see it’s Brett Ratner (“Rush Hour,” one of the X-Men flicks) who’ll direct.
Lee says
Yes, I never understood the animosity directed at him from some quarters when he came to Japan, especially as he’d already suffered 40 years of detention. He mentioned he was planning a trip to the US for film-related work, so it’ll be interesting to see what kind of reception he gets. And, like you say, the film itself when it’s released.
MrSatyre says
It’s not too hard to understand the animosity. He betrayed his country and his fellow soldiers. Who knows how many of his mates might have lived to return home and have families of their own had he stuck it out and backed them up when the shit hit the fan? After all, that’s what soldiers do: they protect one another.
He DID suffer 40 well-deserved years of fear and famine under his Dear Leader, but he was the one who got out with a family intact and a nice little life on the side. A lot of US troops did not.
Lee says
Cheers for responding MrSatyre. It’s interesting to see the feelings Jenkins still generates. And what a polarizing figure he remains. Very different from his status in Japan as you can imagine.
I guess I just see it differently. Especially so perhaps as an Englishman living in Japan. And having now met the man. For me he was a very scared and confused young man who made an absolutely huge mistake. One that as well as paying a heavy price for, he still suffers from today in the baggage he carries around, both in regards what he went through personally and how he let his country and fellow soldiers down all those years ago.
MrSatyre says
I’m certain his teammates were just as scared and confused as he was. But they didn’t defect. That’s the real baggage he will have to carry to the end of his days. He was weak. They were not. I don’t want him executed as a traitor. But I do want him to live a very long time with his guilt. It’s like going to prison for life for murdering someone, which is what his actions amounted to. Executing him only alleviates him of his suffering. Lots of criminals admit to being wrong, but that doesn’t absolve them of wrongdoing. Serving a sentence of punishment does.
And, honestly, Lee, what does being an Englishman living in Japan have to do with anything? I don’t want to start a fight, but that sounds remarkably specious to me. If you had been an English soldier in Afghanistan, and had defected to the Taliban, and then moved to America, would a Brazilian be excused for thinking good thoughts about you because he was a Brazilian living in America?
Anon says
“I do want him to live a very long time with his guilt.”
What are you, some kind of sadist?
Kyle Mizokami says
I’d love to meet him. Read his book on my way to Japan last year. Yes, Jenkins made a mistake, but paid for it many times over, not only in his poor treatment, but having to live with the realization that he did it to himself.
Al says
I minor point, perhaps, but I think N. Korea’s next leader’s mother is Korean. She was born in Japan but not Japanese.
Chris says
Don’t judge anyone unless you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.
That way, your already a mile away…and you have their shoes 😉
Seriously though. Dude paid his dues and then some. He’s getting over it. So should everyone else.
Lizzy says
You are too right, Lee. Here in the states genuinely friendly people seem a dying breed.
Lee says
@MrSatyre
All that time in North Korea, and all the time he has left to deal with his decision/guilt is, for me, more than enough. The man has suffered. Enormously. Still does. Really, what good would putting him through even more of it accomplish? Obviously we see this very very differently.
And as for being an Englishman in Japan, his betrayal of America all those years ago is simply something I can’t get worked up about. If he’d been English I’d still struggle, but as he’s not, it’s even less of an issue. He made a mistake. Paid a heavy price. And that’s enough. More than enough in my books to be honest.
Plus his Japanese connection casts him in a different light again. Yes, Jenkins was a defector, but his wife wasn’t, and any punishment to Jenkins would heap further suffering on his family, who, unlike him, didn’t bring any of it upon themselves. And to see the footage of their release, along with how they talk and interact with each other, it’s painfully obvious that any such punishment of the man would have a devastating effect on his wife and daughters. None of which, in a world very different from when it happened, to a man very different than he was, would benefit anybody.
Eyedunno says
“Who knows how many of his mates might have lived to return home and have families of their own had he stuck it out and backed them up when the shit hit the fan?”
For the record, this was 1965, and the Korean War was over; he was not on combat duty, and the shit never hit the fan. He claims to have deserted because he was afraid of being shipped out to combat duty in Vietnam.
Roy Gilbert says
When I served in Korea 1971-1975 I heard about you and the other Americans who were in North Korea. You were the topic of several training films while I was in Korea. I read your Book and after spending time in South Korea and my time on the DMZ. I am glad that you were able to come back and make things right. Praise God you and your family are together. I pray God will continue to Bless you and your family.
Dennis says
Welcome Home Charles, I am retired US Air Force, you made it through years only you experienced, as a Vietnam Vet I can only say I cannot, or would not judge your actions, enjoy your life in Japan, I hope to live in Japan someday soon myself. Dennis Scott