PDF Summary:The Rebel and the Kingdom, by Bradley Hope

How far would you go to fight oppression and liberate the suffering? In The Rebel and the Kingdom, Bradley Hope presents a gripping account of Adrian Hong's evolution from a college activist into the architect of a daring, clandestine group dedicated to undermining the Kim regime in North Korea and ultimately shaping its post-collapse transition.

Hope unveils Adrian's dangerous odyssey, from advocating for North Korean refugees to orchestrating covert operations such as the unprecedented raid on Pyongyang's Madrid embassy. Along the way, he chronicles the intricate geopolitical dynamics surrounding North Korea, its gulag prison camps, nuclear ambitions, and the global powers' struggles with containing this pariah state.

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• Create a feedback loop with your closest allies to ensure absolute understanding and alignment of goals. Set up a monthly meeting with a group of trusted individuals where you can discuss personal goals, challenges, and strategies for overcoming them. This practice can help you and your group stay committed to supporting each other and maintaining a strong, loyal network.
• Develop a habit of engaging with diverse perspectives to challenge your own beliefs. Make it a point to read or listen to one piece of content weekly that comes from a viewpoint significantly different from your own. This could be an opinion piece, podcast, or a book from an author with contrasting views. Reflect on the arguments presented and consider how they compare to your existing beliefs, which can help you recognize and resist one-sided narratives.
• Participate in model United Nations (MUN) simulations, which are available for all age groups and can often be found through local educational institutions or community groups. Taking on the role of a diplomat from a country like North Korea or one of its allies can provide insight into the challenges and strategies involved in international negotiations, especially concerning issues like nuclear proliferation.
• You can enhance your awareness of global issues by following international news sources that report on technology transfers and non-proliferation. By doing so, you'll gain a broader understanding of how technology can impact global security. For example, subscribe to newsletters from think tanks that focus on international relations and non-proliferation, or set up news alerts for terms like "technology transfer" and "nuclear proliferation."
• Explore the concept of deterrence in personal security by researching and investing in advanced home security systems that use AI and machine learning to detect potential threats. This mirrors the idea of a strong defense mechanism as a means of protection, similar to how a nation might view nuclear capabilities as a deterrent. For example, a smart security system could learn the normal patterns of activity around your home and alert you to any anomalies that could indicate a security threat.
• Enhance your negotiation skills by learning from the principle of power projection. In negotiations, just as nations use the threat of power to achieve their goals, you can develop a strong bargaining position by highlighting your unique skills or resources that are valuable to the other party. For instance, when negotiating a salary, emphasize the unique expertise or connections you bring to the company that can benefit them in the long run, thereby improving your leverage.
• Engage in consumer activism by researching products and companies to ensure your purchases don't inadvertently support regimes that are under international sanctions. Use apps or websites that track the origin of products and their corporate affiliations to make informed decisions. For instance, if a company is known to have indirect ties with sanctioned states, consider finding alternatives that align with international efforts to promote peace and security.
• Create a personal "sanctions simulation" by choosing a product or service you regularly use and attempting to go a set period without it, noting the challenges and adaptations required. This exercise can provide a small-scale, tangible understanding of the effects of economic isolation.
• Engage in conversations with your community about the unintended consequences of international policies on civilians. Use social media, local discussion groups, or letters to editors to raise awareness. By fostering dialogue, you contribute to a more informed public opinion that can influence policymakers to consider the humanitarian impact of their decisions.

U.S. Struggles With North Korean Denuclearization

Hope meticulously details the decades-long struggle of U.S. administrations to contain or dismantle North Korea's nuclear program, highlighting the inherent difficulties and recurrent failures of diplomatic efforts. The author explores the limitations of policies like "strategic patience" adopted by the Obama administration, which essentially amounted to maintaining economic pressure through sanctions while hoping the regime would collapse. Hope also examines the high-stakes diplomatic gamble undertaken by the Trump administration, who, led by Trump's belief in his prowess as a dealmaker, embarked on a series of unprecedented summits with Kim Jong-un.

The author points out the stark contrast between the optimistic rhetoric of Donald Trump—believing that his unorthodox approach could achieve a breakthrough where earlier leaders were unsuccessful—and the ultimate lack of tangible results. Despite the photo opportunities and pledges of good faith, North Korea, Hope shows, skillfully used those summits to their advantage, securing symbolic concessions, such as the suspension of joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises, while making no genuine commitments to denuclearize. Ultimately, Hope argues, the diplomatic efforts by successive U.S. administrations have yielded little success, underscoring the tenacity of Kim Jong-un's government and their unwillingness to relinquish what they see as their ultimate shield: nuclear weapons.

Other Perspectives

• Some may contend that the focus on U.S. "struggle" fails to acknowledge the role of the United Nations and the impact of international sanctions, which have been a collective effort to pressure North Korea and have had significant effects on the country's economy and its ability to advance its nuclear program.
• Sanctions may solidify internal support for the regime by providing a narrative of external aggression and siege mentality.
• The Trump administration's engagement with North Korea could be seen not as a "gamble" but as a strategic shift in diplomacy, aiming to break the impasse of previous administrations' policies.
• Personal dealmaking abilities might not translate into success without a clear strategy and understanding of the counterpart's motivations and intentions.
• The summits provided valuable insights into North Korea's perspectives and demands, which could inform future diplomatic strategies.
• The summits themselves, regardless of immediate tangible outcomes, may have helped to prevent further escalation of hostilities or nuclear testing, which in itself could be considered a form of progress.
• The policy of strategic patience may have avoided the risks of escalating military confrontation, which could have had catastrophic consequences.
• While Kim Jong-un's government has shown a strong attachment to its nuclear program, it's possible that under the right conditions, such as security guarantees and economic incentives, they might be open to negotiations that could lead to denuclearization.

Creation and Operations of Adrian's Secret Cheollima Defense Organization

Having grown disillusioned with the limitations of traditional advocacy and increasingly frustrated with the diplomatic failures of world powers, Adrian Hong began a radical path, forming the clandestine Cheollima Civil Defense organization. This section of the book unveils the motivations for this shift and the secretive, high-risk operations the organization undertook.

Disillusioned, Adrian Formed the Clandestine Cheollima Civil Defense to Act Against North Korea

Hope details Adrian's disillusionment with LiNK, the organization he'd founded, and his increasing belief that traditional advocacy methods were insufficient in challenging North Korea's government. The author depicts Adrian grappling with the realization that, despite years of tireless work, the state of human rights in North Korea had not improved and the world's attention remained fixated on the threat of nuclear weapons, obscuring the plight of suffering citizens. Hope recounts conversations with close friends to whom Adrian confided his growing conviction that bolder action was needed - a covert approach that bypassed the limitations and bureaucracy of established organizations. This, according to Hope, led to the formation of Cheollima Civil Defense in 2012, a small, highly secretive group dedicated to directly challenging the Kim regime.

Cheollima's Secretive Operations For Extracting Defectors and Stabilizing North Korea Post-Regime Collapse

Hope illuminates Cheollima's clandestine activities, highlighting the dual nature of their operations: extracting high-profile defectors and preparing for North Korea's eventual transition away from Kim's leadership. Hope describes Cheollima Civil Defense's early efforts as primarily focused on intelligence gathering and establishing a covert contact network. Drawing on his experience with LiNK and fueled by new connections, Adrian, according to Hope, developed an extensive network of allies, including North Korean escapees, businessmen, human rights activists, and even government sources. This network provided Adrian with valuable insights into the inner workings of the regime and its vulnerabilities, informing both Cheollima's on-the-ground rescue operations and their broader goals for a post-Kim era in North Korea.

Context

• Beyond political and intelligence considerations, the extraction of defectors is also a humanitarian effort, aiming to save individuals from persecution and provide them with a chance for a new life in a safer environment.
• Cheollima Civil Defense is an organization that aims to protect North Korean defectors and prepare for a potential regime change. Their operations are often secretive due to the sensitive nature of their work and the risks involved.
• The loyalty of the military is crucial for regime stability. Any signs of discontent or factionalism within the military could indicate vulnerabilities.
• These are individuals within various governments who may provide Cheollima with information or support. Such sources can be crucial for diplomatic efforts and ensuring international cooperation in rescue operations.
• Efforts to unify the Korean Peninsula would involve cultural and social integration, addressing decades of division and fostering a shared national identity.

Adrian Recruited Supporters, Including North Korean Escapees, Businesspeople, and Government Contacts, for Cheollima's Intelligence and Resource Missions

Hope details Adrian's method for growing the Cheollima network, emphasizing his remarkable ability to connect with a diverse range of individuals and cultivate trust. The author describes how Adrian made efforts to formalize this intelligence gathering, establishing the Joseon Institute, a think tank dedicated to crafting blueprint plans for all aspects of North Korean governance in the aftermath of the Kim regime's collapse. Hope portrays Adrian as a networking master. He tapped into his existing contacts from LiNK, sought out escapees, former diplomats, and businessmen from the North Korean diaspora, and even cultivated relationships with individuals like Kim Han-sol, whose father Kim Jong-nam was assassinated by North Korea in Malaysia.

This, according to Hope, was a crucial strategic move, as Kim Han-sol, a potential heir with a unique pedigree within the Kim family, could potentially serve as a figurehead for the opposition movement. The author highlights Adrian's sharply different approach from typical NGO fundraising tactics. He often gauged individuals’ willingness to contribute, not just financially but by offering their expertise and connections, emphasizing the need for confidentiality and commitment. This approach, Hope argues, created a unique ecosystem of like-minded individuals eager to help what they perceived as a righteous cause.

Context

• LiNK is a non-profit organization that focuses on rescuing and resettling North Korean refugees. It also works to raise awareness about the human rights situation in North Korea.
• As a member of the Kim family, he holds symbolic significance. His involvement could lend legitimacy to opposition efforts and attract international attention, given his unique position as a potential alternative leader.

Other Perspectives

• Crafting plans for North Korean governance post-Kim regime may be seen as presumptuous, as it assumes the collapse of the current regime without considering the possibility of reform or gradual change from within.
• There is a risk that some of the contacts, especially those involved in business, may have vested interests that could influence the objectivity and goals of the Cheollima network.
• Cultivating relationships with individuals based on their family connections could be seen as opportunistic or exploitative, rather than forming alliances based on shared values or goals.
• The approach of seeking contributions of expertise and connections, while valuable, might overlook the importance of grassroots support and the power of numbers in a movement.
• A heavy focus on commitment could deter potential supporters who are interested in the cause but have limited time or resources to contribute.
• Adrian's method, while unique, may not necessarily be more effective than traditional NGO fundraising tactics, which have been honed over many years and have a track record of success.
• The uniqueness of the ecosystem might be challenged by the existence of other networks and organizations with similar goals and methods, which may have been overlooked or not acknowledged.

The 2019 Madrid Embassy Raid and What Happened Afterward

Hope dedicates a significant portion of the book to recounting the events surrounding the 2019 Cheollima raid on the DPRK's Madrid embassy, where Adrian mobilized his clandestine network in a high-risk operation intended to extract a diplomat and his family, who had requested defection.

In February 2019, Cheollima Raided North Korean Embassy in Madrid to Extract Diplomat and Family Requesting Defection

Hope lays out the audacious plan hatched by Adrian and the Cheollima Civil Defense group to extract So Yun-suk, a high-ranking North Korean diplomat in Madrid, who, fearing for his and his family's safety, had reached out to the group for assistance. Hope details the mission’s elaborate preparations, highlighting the inherent tension between its humanitarian objectives and its inherently illegal nature. The group’s members conducted reconnaissance trips to Madrid, acquired supplies ranging from fake firearms and handcuffs to candy and toys for So's young son, and carefully mapped the embassy layout. Central to Cheollima’s strategy was a plan to stage a fake kidnapping, capturing footage that would convince North Korean authorities that So's defection was not intentional and thus safeguard his extended family from retribution.

Operation Failed When Staff Member Escaped, Alerted Authorities, Leading to Confrontation and Cheollima Members' Apprehension

Hope recounts the dramatic execution of the raid on the embassy in Madrid, showcasing the swiftness and precision with which Cheollima members subdued embassy staff and secured the premises. The author describes their efforts to maintain a façade of aggression to bolster the staged kidnapping narrative. Team members spoke in English, used prearranged signals for communicating over walkie-talkies, and wore balaclavas to disguise their identities. However, Hope goes on to detail the fateful misstep that caused the operation to unravel: Cho Sun-hi, the wife of another diplomat stationed at the embassy, panicked and escaped during the raid, alerting the authorities. Not knowing she was there, the group continued to secure the building.

Hope vividly describes the chilling tension as Spanish police arrived, responding to Cho’s claim of an assault, only to be met at the door by Adrian, who, in a feat of improvisation, put on a facade as a North Korean official. The author expertly captures the rising panic within the group as hours dragged on with no sign of So’s family and phone calls from unidentified individuals, presumably linked to North Korea, ringing incessantly, further unnerving the diplomat. Ultimately, Hope states, So lost his nerve, believing that his defection would be discovered, putting his family at risk, and ordered the Cheollima operatives to leave.

Context

• Following the raid, international arrest warrants were issued for those involved, leading to legal challenges and debates over extradition and asylum for the operatives.
• Actions against embassies can lead to strained diplomatic relations and potential retaliatory measures from the affected country.
• Such tactics are often used in covert operations to simulate a more dangerous threat, which can deter immediate intervention by authorities or other parties.
• Speaking in a foreign language could add to the confusion and intimidation of the embassy staff, enhancing the perceived threat and urgency of the situation.
• Balaclavas have been used historically by military and paramilitary groups, as well as in protests and riots, to maintain anonymity and protect against retaliation.
• Embassies typically have security measures in place, but the raid's success in initially subduing staff suggests a well-planned operation, despite the eventual failure.
• The involvement of local authorities, like the Spanish police, adds a layer of complexity, as they must navigate the diplomatic sensitivities while responding to potential criminal activities.
• The escape of a staff member would have been an unexpected variable. In high-stakes operations, teams often have contingency plans, but the unpredictability of human behavior can complicate even the most well-planned missions.
• As the wife of a diplomat, Cho Sun-hi's presence at the embassy was likely routine, but her escape was pivotal in alerting authorities, which was not part of the group's plan.
• The raid on the North Korean embassy in Madrid occurred in February 2019. It was a controversial operation that drew international attention and involved multiple countries' intelligence agencies.
• The involvement of international media and governments in such incidents can lead to increased scrutiny and pressure, further complicating the situation for those involved in the operation.
• Defectors from North Korea often face severe consequences if caught, including punishment of their families. This context highlights the gravity of So's fear for his family's safety.
• Individuals involved in defection or covert operations often experience intense psychological stress due to the high stakes and potential consequences, which can lead to sudden changes in decision-making.

Mission Fallout: Ahn's Detention and Adrian's Flight Strain Cheollima and Free Joseon

Hope details the events immediately following the failed Madrid operation, emphasizing the chaotic escape, the tense attempts to maintain secrecy, and the eventual unraveling of Cheollima's carefully constructed anonymity. Motivated by a desire to mitigate the fallout and protect his team, Adrian contacted his FBI contacts in America, believing that they would provide legal protection. However, the situation spiraled out of control when news of the raid leaked to the press in Spain, revealing the group's involvement and triggering a criminal investigation. Hope describes the arrests of Ahn and Adrian, and the dismantling of their carefully built scooter business, showcasing the fragility of Cheollima’s operations and the group's naiveté in believing that their intentions would be understood by authorities.

The U.S. Marshals issued wanted posters for Adrian, describing him as "dangerous and armed." Hope expertly captures the sense of betrayal felt by the Cheollima members when the FBI shared intelligence with Spanish authorities, culminating in their abandonment by the very entity they thought would shield them. The author then describes how Cheollima attempted to control the narrative, evolving from a secretive group into a more public-facing organization with the new name Free Joseon, in an effort to gain international support and political legitimacy. This, Hope argues, underscores their desperation as they grappled with the consequences of their actions: facing multiple charges in Spain, including illegal entry, assault, and illegal detention, and the constant fear of retribution from North Korea.

Context

• Individuals involved in sensitive operations sometimes seek legal protection from authorities they have previously assisted, expecting leniency or advocacy due to their perceived shared goals.
• The Spanish legal system would have been compelled to investigate the incident due to the severity of the crimes involved, such as illegal entry and assault, especially given the diplomatic context.
• The scooter business was likely used as a legitimate front to provide cover for their activities and to generate funds for their operations against the North Korean regime.
• The leak of information about the Madrid operation exposed the identities and activities of Cheollima members, making them vulnerable to legal actions by Spanish authorities and potential threats from North Korea.
• Wanted posters serve to alert the public, encouraging them to report sightings or information, which can increase pressure on the individual to surrender or go into deeper hiding.
• Operations involving North Korea are particularly sensitive due to the country's geopolitical significance and the potential for diplomatic fallout. This can influence how intelligence is handled and shared among international partners.
• The name "Free Joseon" refers to "Joseon," an ancient name for Korea, symbolizing a vision for a liberated and unified Korean peninsula free from the current North Korean regime.
• The group aimed to undermine the North Korean government and support defectors, which they believed justified their actions, though this perspective was not shared by the legal authorities in Spain.
• The constant threat of retribution can have significant psychological effects on members of dissident groups, leading to stress, anxiety, and a pervasive sense of vulnerability.