Alejandro Cao de Benós: Difference between revisions
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'''Alejandro Cao de Benós de Les y Pérez''' (born 1974) is a [[Spanish people|Spanish]] Special Delegate of [[North Korea]]'s [[Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries]] and president of the [[Korean Friendship Association]] (KFA). |
'''Alejandro Cao de Benós de Les y Pérez''' (born 1974) is a [[Spanish people|Spanish]] Special Delegate of [[North Korea]]'s [[Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries]] and president of the [[Korean Friendship Association]] (KFA). |
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These , despite appearances are private organsiation established by and of which '''Alejandro Cao de Benós de Les y Pére''' is the only salaried member <ref>{{Cite web|title = Capitalist credentials: N. Korea sympathizer group’s huge profit on access to country {{!}} NK News - North Korea News|url = http://www.nknews.org/2015/01/capitalist-credentials-n-korea-sympathizer-groups-huge-profit-on-access-to-country/|website = NK News - North Korea News|access-date = 2016-01-13}}</ref> . The whois page for its domain shows it registered in his name. An official website would have the TLD .kp |
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He has been an advocate of North Korea since 1990. His Korean name is Cho Son-il ("Korea is One"). He has lived in [[Tarragona]] and [[Barcelona]] ([[Spain]]), working as an IT consultant.<ref name="independent">{{cite web| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/his-dear-leader-meet-north-koreas-secret-weapon--an-it-consultant-from-spain-6291303.html | title=His dear leader: Meet North Korea's secret weapon - an IT consultant from Spain|work=The Independent|date=21 January 2012|accessdate=4 May 2015}}</ref> A single, unnamed detractor called him a "'perfect example of the [[useful idiot]].'"<ref name="independent" /> . |
He has been an advocate of North Korea since 1990. His Korean name is Cho Son-il ("Korea is One"). He has lived in [[Tarragona]] and [[Barcelona]] ([[Spain]]), working as an IT consultant.<ref name="independent">{{cite web| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/his-dear-leader-meet-north-koreas-secret-weapon--an-it-consultant-from-spain-6291303.html | title=His dear leader: Meet North Korea's secret weapon - an IT consultant from Spain|work=The Independent|date=21 January 2012|accessdate=4 May 2015}}</ref> A single, unnamed detractor called him a "'perfect example of the [[useful idiot]].'"<ref name="independent" /> . |
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Revision as of 15:36, 13 January 2016
Alejandro Cao de Benós de Les y Pérez 조선일 | |
|---|---|
 Picture of Alejandro Cao taken in front of the Yanggakdo International Hotel in Pyongyang, June 2012. | |
| President of the Korean Friendship Association | |
| Assumed office 8 August 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1974 Reus, Catalonia, Spain |
| Political party | Workers' Party of Korea |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  North Korea |
| Branch/service | Spanish Army |
| Rank | Alférez |
| Alejandro Cao de Benós | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 조선일 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 朝鮮一 |
| Revised Romanization | Jo Seon Il |
| McCune–Reischauer | Cho Sŏn-il |
Alejandro Cao de Benós de Les y Pérez (born 1974) is a Spanish Special Delegate of North Korea's Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and president of the Korean Friendship Association (KFA).
These , despite appearances are private organsiation established by and of which Alejandro Cao de Benós de Les y Pére is the only salaried member [1] . The whois page for its domain shows it registered in his name. An official website would have the TLD .kp
He has been an advocate of North Korea since 1990. His Korean name is Cho Son-il ("Korea is One"). He has lived in Tarragona and Barcelona (Spain), working as an IT consultant.[2] A single, unnamed detractor called him a "'perfect example of the useful idiot.'"[2] .
Commerical activities.
Cao founded the Korean Friendship Association in 2000, setting up a privately owned .com website.[3] It includes a media section and a web-shop where badges, North Korean music and other items can be bought online. He personally profits from the sale of such merchandise sending it from Spain.
In 2002, Cao established himself as a travel organiser for which he charges his clients a commission that some have described as excessive. Though he often claims to have an official title and citizenship he travels on his Spanish passport and does not wear his various military uniforms in Korea .. only in Spain where he lives. [4]
Cao travels regularly to Pyongyang, organizing international delegations for the foreign press ( himself constantly under supervision along with his guests ), cultural exchanges and business meetings, which entail working with North Korean officials in many ministries in both cultural and diplomatic affairs. This however anybody is free to do and doesnt confer he has special access or status. He has written numerous articles on matters relating to the political situation in the Korean Peninsula, as well as giving interviews for television, newspapers, radio and Internet press. As one of the few foreigners to devoutly follow the North Korean party line, he continues to be greatly involved with the Korean Friendship Association as well as with North Korean international relations. Cao is prominently featured in the documentaries ''Friends of Kim'' and ''The Propaganda Game.''
Positions and awards
According to the KFA, which he himself owns and runs .Cao has received several North Korean awards, including the North Korean Friendship Medal from the North Korean Supreme People's Assembly, diplomas from the Central Committee of Radio and Television of the DPRK and the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and a personal gift from Kim Jong-il.[5]
There has been no independant confirmation of these claims and searching http://www.kcna.kp/ gives no results for his name.
Criticism
Cao de Benós has also received widespread criticism from the Western press for, among other things, trying to restrict the freedom of expression of journalists from outside countries. He has expelled members of the "Association of Friendship with Korea" for "disrespect".[6] He has also been accused of threatening and intimidating journalists critical of North Korea. When Andrew Morse of ABC News visited the country in 2004, invited by the Association, he was accused of using sensationalist language to describe Kochang farm cooperatives.[7] Once in Pyongyang, Alejandro Cao broke into and searched through Morse's hotel room, confiscated his tapes, damaged his laptop and forced him to sign an apologetic letter in order to leave the country.[6] Cao de Benós has also tried to disrupt the work of other NGOs operating in North Korea by complaining about their work or their portrayal of problems in North Korea.
An extensive investigation by Ole Jakob Skåtun of North Korean News , based in South Korea revealed that despite expounding the virtues of communism and frugality Cao de Benós has charged what are considered excessive fees for organising travel with the fees being deposited in various bank accounts in his personal name throughout Europe.
Furthermore the investigative journalist claims that often it have transpired that Cao de Benós claims to have permits for various activities including filming inside North Korea when no such permits exist.
Lastly it is considered of interest that Cao de Benós has only ever been photographed in full North Korean Military uniform outside North Korea , usually in his home in Spain.
References
- ^ "Capitalist credentials: N. Korea sympathizer group's huge profit on access to country | NK News - North Korea News". NK News - North Korea News. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
- ^ a b "His dear leader: Meet North Korea's secret weapon - an IT consultant from Spain". The Independent. 21 January 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- ^ The Official Webpage of The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)
- ^ "Capitalist credentials: N. Korea sympathizer group's huge profit on access to country | NK News - North Korea News". NK News - North Korea News. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
- ^ http://www.korea-dpr.com/romenov.htm[dead link]
- ^ a b This incident and Alejandro's acknowledgement of responsibility can be seen in the "Friends of Kim" documentary
- ^ Korea Joongang Daily, ed. (April 17, 2005). "For love of Dear Leader: Spaniard's mission is to show North to world". Retrieved 15 September 2015.
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External links
- Interviews and conferences
- Entrevista exclusiva con Alejandro Cao de Benós on YouTube (Spanish)
- Alejandro Cao de Benós para LaRepública.es on YouTube (Spanish)
- Conferencia completa de Alejandro Cao de Benós en Tarragona (10-XI-2012) on YouTube (Spanish)
- Conferencia en la universidad de Castellón on YouTube (Spanish)