Comments on: Australian govt denies visas to DPRK artists http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2009/12/07/australian-govt-denies-visas-to-dprk-artists/ News and analysis of the North Korean economy Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:43:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: North Korean Economy Watch » Blog Archive » New DPRK art exhibit in Beijing http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2009/12/07/australian-govt-denies-visas-to-dprk-artists/#comment-170886 North Korean Economy Watch » Blog Archive » New DPRK art exhibit in Beijing Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:05:48 +0000 http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2009/12/07/australian-govt-denies-visas-to-dprk-artists/#comment-170886 [...] 3. Nick Bonner has his collection on display in Beijing as well.  His new web page is here.  His old web page is here. Mr. Bonner recently showed some North Korean art in Australia. [...] [...] 3. Nick Bonner has his collection on display in Beijing as well.  His new web page is here.  His old web page is here. Mr. Bonner recently showed some North Korean art in Australia. [...]

]]> By: haveahacks http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2009/12/07/australian-govt-denies-visas-to-dprk-artists/#comment-168308 haveahacks Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:11:08 +0000 http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2009/12/07/australian-govt-denies-visas-to-dprk-artists/#comment-168308 The Australian MFA's response doesn't make any sense. Is there an existing blanket ban on all North Koreans entering Australia ? Why does the spokesman talk about an "exception" ? There's a big difference between an art studio and a weapons factory or internal security agency. North Korea is a communist country. Where else is an artist going to work except a government studio ? This puts the Aussies in the position of suppressing people on the basis of their speech, or more accurately, the speech of their colleagues. But then the Aussie government is also putting up its own Great Australian firewall, so perhaps censorship comes naturally to them. It's possible that they do have security concerns about some specific individual in the delegation, but are unable to say so publicly. Still, even then they should come up with a better excuse than what they've pushed out so far. The Australian MFA’s response doesn’t make any sense. Is there an existing blanket ban on all North Koreans entering Australia ? Why does the spokesman talk about an “exception” ? There’s a big difference between an art studio and a weapons factory or internal security agency. North Korea is a communist country. Where else is an artist going to work except a government studio ? This puts the Aussies in the position of suppressing people on the basis of their speech, or more accurately, the speech of their colleagues. But then the Aussie government is also putting up its own Great Australian firewall, so perhaps censorship comes naturally to them.

It’s possible that they do have security concerns about some specific individual in the delegation, but are unable to say so publicly. Still, even then they should come up with a better excuse than what they’ve pushed out so far.

]]> By: Simon http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2009/12/07/australian-govt-denies-visas-to-dprk-artists/#comment-168245 Simon Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:30:27 +0000 http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2009/12/07/australian-govt-denies-visas-to-dprk-artists/#comment-168245 That's a good point Gavin, and I personally think there's a possibility that something reciprocal may occur such as you mention, no hint of it yet but something to keep an eye on for sure. incidentally the reason initially given for visa denial w as simply that it was not in the interests of the foreign policy of the Australian state, the detail about them being propagandists and workers for the government came later, the statement seems to suggest that because they paint Kim Jong Il (they don't, thats other artists) this is why they couldnt go to Australia, which is odd as it sounds as if the OZ govt is acting as an art critic. Anyway its all a bit sad as the art is there with nobody to explain how they go about producing it and as Curtis points out this is hardly a great victory for Australia, its an opportunity for some non-political engagement gone begging. The pieces themselves are great though, if you're in Brisbane and haven't been to the show yet then as the Australian tourist board memorably said 'where the bloody hell are ya?' That’s a good point Gavin, and I personally think there’s a possibility that something reciprocal may occur such as you mention, no hint of it yet but something to keep an eye on for sure. incidentally the reason initially given for visa denial w as simply that it was not in the interests of the foreign policy of the Australian state, the detail about them being propagandists and workers for the government came later, the statement seems to suggest that because they paint Kim Jong Il (they don’t, thats other artists) this is why they couldnt go to Australia, which is odd as it sounds as if the OZ govt is acting as an art critic. Anyway its all a bit sad as the art is there with nobody to explain how they go about producing it and as Curtis points out this is hardly a great victory for Australia, its an opportunity for some non-political engagement gone begging. The pieces themselves are great though, if you’re in Brisbane and haven’t been to the show yet then as the Australian tourist board memorably said ‘where the bloody hell are ya?’

]]> By: Gavin http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2009/12/07/australian-govt-denies-visas-to-dprk-artists/#comment-168181 Gavin Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:18:55 +0000 http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2009/12/07/australian-govt-denies-visas-to-dprk-artists/#comment-168181 I'm surprised that Australian citizens are continued to be granted North Korean visas if Australia bans the issue of viasa to North Koreans. A misunderstanding earlier this year left UK citizens unable to visit the North for a while after they incorrectly believed the UK had implemented a visa ban. I’m surprised that Australian citizens are continued to be granted North Korean visas if Australia bans the issue of viasa to North Koreans. A misunderstanding earlier this year left UK citizens unable to visit the North for a while after they incorrectly believed the UK had implemented a visa ban.

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