I don't really know where my opinion falls with this interview. The young man seems to be cognizant of his family's wrong doing, but as some have said this could all just be a media stunt.
What I do know is that this young man has inherited a horrific past, and if what he said in the interview is true he is attempting to make up for it. That is all any of us can do. People are born into situations, and that isn't anyones fault. It's what we do with that situation that matters.
I hope for his sake, and North Korea's sake that he is able to follow through with the goals and dreams that he shared.
If this isn't a media setup of some sort, you can bet that it will be pretty soon.
I'm going to take a wild guess that this kid will be the following things by the end of 2013: TED speaker, bestselling author, Anderson Cooper guest, a regular fixture on magazine "Most Intriguing People of 2012/2013" lists; short-liat candidate for Time Magazine's Person of the Year.
I don't mean to be cynical, but we can all smell the media frenzy about to descend on him. And, while I applaud his speaking out against the horrors of his family dynasty, I have to keep in mind that a) he's been living a luxurious, sheltered existence in Macau on the ill-gotten gains that dynasty secured, and b) he has virtually nothing to lose by going public, as his father was disinherited from the dynastic succession a few years ago. (One wonders if he wouldn't be toeing the Kim party line, were he the next heir apparent to the Supreme Leadership).
All of that being said, I do share your sincere hope that he can, in some way, be a catalyst for change and improvement in the conditions of the North Korean people. He does seem to be sincere in his desire to effect change, and as such, I am forced to shelve my cynicism if he has any hope whatsoever of being an agent for that change.
What I do know is that this young man has inherited a horrific past, and if what he said in the interview is true he is attempting to make up for it. That is all any of us can do. People are born into situations, and that isn't anyones fault. It's what we do with that situation that matters.
I hope for his sake, and North Korea's sake that he is able to follow through with the goals and dreams that he shared.