The Michael Jackson and Kim Jong Il Connection?

The last time I spoke to my friend Michael Jackson was about a month ago, 3 weeks before his shocking death. He had called me late one night to ask about another of my close friends who he had read about in the news. Laura Ling, a former colleague and friend, was detained originally by North Korean border guards along with her colleague Euna Lee on March 17th. Since then, they have been imprisoned, had very little contact with their families or western officials, and endured a secretive trial at which they were sentenced to twelve years hard labor. At this present moment, it is unclear where Laura and Euna are – whether they remain in a government guesthouse where they were originally held, in a hospital (due to medical problems for both of them), or moved to the infamous North Korean labor camps that many do not survive.

Michael had read some of the details regarding Laura and Euna’s predicament. As was often the case with him and global events he read about – from famine in Africa to victims of natural disasters in far off countries, to orphans created by wars – he felt a deep sense of empathy for Laura and Euna. When I shared with him that Euna had a four-year-old daughter, he was even more anguished.

He asked me whether I had had any contact with Laura. I told him I had written her a few letters and had been assured they were getting through. Outside of that, her own family had only heard from her twice – brief monitored phonecalls – in the over three months they had been imprisoned. When I told him that, Michael paused.

“Do you think,” he said hesitantly, “that the leader of North Korea could be a fan of mine?”

I didn’t really know how to respond. Not much is known about the reclusive Kim Jong Il or “Dear leader” as he is called in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Over the years it’s been alleged he has a thing for Hollywood, certain NBA stars, Elvis, and specific liqueurs. Still, I’d never heard about any connection between Michael Jackson and Kim Jong Il.

Michael said he had seen some pictures on the internet of the Dear Leader. “You’know, he wears jackets like mine.”

I couldn’t help but laugh a little. It’s true. Michael always had a fascination with military-like jackets, the types with markers and badges on the collars and shoulders. If you search it online, you will indeed find a lot of images of Michael and Kim Jong Il, similarly bedecked in analogous outfits.

“I don’t really know,” I answered Michael. “But I can try and find out.”

“Please,” Michael responded without hesitantly, “because maybe if he was a fan, I could help get those girls home.”

I explained to Michael that there were larger geo-politics involved, nuclear programs, a new administration trying to assert its foreign policy strategy (Obama), and another one in NK possibly going through some sort of transference of power.

“Yeah,” Michael said wistfully, “but if someone wants to do something good, they just can. They don’t really need to worry about all that other stuff.”

And that was really the end of that conversation. I kept my promise and tried to see if I might find a connection between MJ and KJI, but sadly I wasn’t able to. Before I was able to get back to Michael, the news regarding his tragic passing broke. The tributes and commemoratives began in earnest and have not stopped.

Then the irony occurred to me, the far out bizarre seemingly impossible possibility: there is really only one person in the world today that could make a truly meaningful tribute to Michael Jackson. If indeed Kim Jong Il ever was a fan of Michael Jackson, ever gasped at Michael’s moonwalk, smiled at Thriller, hummed along to the Jackson Five or any of Michael’s countess hits, his pardoning of Laura Ling and Euna Lee and sending them home to their families would be a profound act of compassion, a true tribute to a man whose death has left the entire world in mourning. What a better way to re-invent himself and his own conflicted image than for Kim Jong Il to send a message of hope, forgiveness, and empathy as a commemoration of possibly the greatest icon of our times. It’s an act that would be historic, covered by every news organizations in the world, and be immortalized in the annals of time.

Alas, maybe I’m naïve to have such dramatic hopes for my friend and her colleague, to think that leaders of nations may be influenced by the dying wishes of great artists. Or…maybe not. To me, Michael’s memory will always be as a great friend and mentor. To many around the world, it will be as an iconic and brilliant musical artist. Wouldn’t it be staggering if one Kim Jong Il were to honor him – post-death – as a truly great humanitarian?

Please Sign the Petition for Amnesty for Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Robert O.

11:56AM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

Thanks.

send a green star

Nada A.

5:26AM PST on Jan 10, 2011

Micheal is and stay in many hearts... L.O.V.E.

Mari '.

4:22AM PST on Dec 18, 2010

He will never die and always be alive through us

annie s.

10:45PM PST on Dec 13, 2010

Michael is alive and right now the evidence is mounting,his death was a hoax and I believe 100% that he is very much alive---in fact there is mountains of evidence to suggest he is still alive and none to suggest he is not.

Alicia N.

11:13AM PST on Feb 28, 2010

thanks for sharing this story about you and pop icon super star Michael Jackson. All we got flaws, remember something ..... nobody is perfect, we just got perfect intentions. I am glad that I got the chance to hear and enjoy Michael J. music, dances, videos, his voice.. ... wherever you are .... you came to this world to turned it all around, that's for sure; thanks Michael for making my life a much better experience, R est in Peace !!!!

Teresa W.

9:51AM PST on Feb 26, 2010

Interesting!

Past Member .

4:01AM PST on Feb 19, 2010

That truly would be a lovely gesture of compassion. Let's hope it gets to the right person and maybe one day this dream could be a home welcoming reality. Anything is possible. And what is the world without hope?

r4i gold carte

Mehreen E.

12:50AM PDT on Aug 21, 2009

deepak u were close to MJ.. how lucky u r...

Nightcat M.

8:53PM PDT on Jul 24, 2009

Way to go Sandy! MJ did so much for both humans and animals. A heck of a lot more than folks dogging him around. He loved the world and wanted to heal it. So did Elvis, Lennon, Garcia, and so many others. The haters didn't kill their message and they won't kill MJ's. :)

Oh, and where were these haters when MJ released his green album? Love this man forever. Hey, please give me a look on http://www.squidoo.com/michaeljacksonnowandforever

I really want to keep MJ's dream alive. Just getting the word out makes people think about his causes. And if it ever does make anything it all goes to the AHA in MJ's honor. Peace and purss!

S K.

5:25AM PDT on Jul 23, 2009

(CON'T) ..shot in four different places and depicting man-made ecological devastation and renewal..."
Update: Jackson performed "Earth Song" at the
(partial)Lyrics to Michael Jackson's EARTH SONG........What have we done to the world
“”Look what we've doneWhat about all the peace
That you pledge your only son...What about flowering fields
is there a timeWhat about all the dreams
That you said was yours and mine...Did you ever stop to notice
All the children dead from warDid you ever stop to notice
The crying Earth the weeping shores
I used to dreamI used to glance beyond the stars
Now I don't know where we are
Although I know we've drifted far
Hey, what about yesterdayWhat about the seas
The heavens are falling down
I can't even breatheWhat about apathy
I need youWhat about nature's worth
It's our planet's wombWhat about animals
We've turned kingdoms to dust
What about elephantsHave we lost their trust
What about crying whalesWe're ravaging the seas
What about forest trailsBurnt despite our pleas
What about the holy landTorn apart by creed
What about the common man
Can't we set him freeWhat about children dying
Can't you hear them cryWhere did we go wrong
Someone tell me whyWhat about babies
What about the days
What about all their joyWhat about the man
What about the crying man
What about AbrahamWhat about death again
Do we give a damn””