Airul Qaiz, 26, official delegate for the Korean Friendship Association, poses with his souvenirs from North Korea. (PHOTO: Nicholas Yong / Yahoo News Singapore)

Given that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is routinely labeled a totalitarian state that oppresses its people, not many would view the country in a positive light.

But Singaporean Airul Qaiz, the official delegate for the Singapore branch of the Korean Friendship Association (KFA), dismissed reports of human rights violations in the country. “These are just biased reports from Western media. The people there are given freedom of speech and assembly and religion.”

“I say all this from what I have seen and observed there, and from speaking to people there,” said Airul, 26, who claimed to have visited the country three times.

Airul, who is currently studying for a diploma in facilities management, heads the KFA branch here. Established in 2000 in Barcelona by Alejandro Cao de Benos, the KFA aims to facilitate the peaceful unification of Korea, and promote cultural and business ties between DPRK and other countries.

According to Airul, the Singapore branch of the KFA has some 50 members. He is not paid for his work with the KFA and his trips to the DPRK were self-financed.

Once a month, a handful of KFA members in Singapore meet over Skype to discuss the writings of the three DPRK leaders to date since the country’s foundation: the late Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, as well as Kim Jong Un.

Asked what he thinks of the writings and philosophy of the three Kims, Airul said he found them “quite impressive”. He added, “The way they worked tirelessly day and night for the people, putting the people first. As compared to Maoism and Stalinism, the (North Korean) philosophy of Juche (self-reliance) is more democratic. Even while under (United Nations) sanctions, they still managed to bring up the people, who are leading happy lives.”

The Hermit Kingdom and the world

View photos Airul Qaiz (fifth from right, wearing yellow shirt) and his friends at Pyongyang Golf Course in 2016. (PHOTO: Courtesy of Airul Qaiz) More

Speaking to Yahoo News Singapore, Airul showed this reporter his haul of souvenirs and books from the DPRK. They included stamps, coins, copies of The Pyongyang Times, a state-run newspaper, and a book written by Kim Jong Il entitled “Let us Carry Out The Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung’s Instructions For National Reunification”.

The eldest of three children, Airul started getting curious about the Hermit Kingdom in 2008. “Because I always see negative reports about the country, I wanted to see if there is anything good about the country.”

“I used to think there were a lot of starving people living under poverty, but now my impression is completely different. They are a modern socialistic society to be reckoned with. When I went there, I saw modern buildings and architecture,” added Airul, who said he had visited the capital Pyongyang and other cities.

Asked about the possibility that he might have been shown a sanitised version of DPRK by government-approved tour guides, he responded, “I have seen the rural areas and there were modern buildings. From what I see and know, the country is doing quite well.”

On the 12 June summit in Singapore between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Airul called it “a success” and is hopeful of better ties between their two countries.

“We hope all parties abide by the June 12 declaration and April 27 Panmunjom Declaration for peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsular after withdrawal of US troops from South Korea.”

So what do family and friends say when they find out that he is an admirer of North Korea? “They are quite shocked. They try to make fun of me but I just ignore them. I am serious in the work,” said Airul with a smile.

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