David Alton Bücher

How much do you know about North Korea? Depending on whom you ask, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is an international laughing-stock, a terrifying nuclear-powered war machine, or a humanitarian crisis of nightmarish proportion. For David Alton, the DPRK is Asia's tragic and prodigal son, long overdue 'coming in from the cold' and returning to the embrace of the international community. The obstacles are gigantic and the record of human suffering is almost beyond description, yet there is still hope for a better future, if only the political and military powers have the courage to seize it. In this book, David Alton and Rob Chidley paint a practical and compassionate picture of North Korea, from the earliest history to the tragic division and right up to the present day. In doing so, they present a North Korea that we can understand, approach, and reach out to with a glimmer of hope.

The book explores the persistent failure of global leaders to prevent genocide despite the establishment of the Genocide Convention after WWII. It highlights numerous genocides since then, including those in Cambodia, Rwanda, and against religious minorities in Syria and Iraq, illustrating the inadequate responses to these atrocities. The author poses critical questions about what changes are necessary to effectively address and prevent future genocides, emphasizing the urgent need for a more robust and proactive international approach.