Debates between Lord Swire and Robert Buckland during the 2010-2015 Parliament

Mon 16th Dec 2013
North Korea
Commons Chamber
(Urgent Question)

North Korea

Debate between Lord Swire and Robert Buckland
Monday 16th December 2013

(10 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Robert Buckland Portrait Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con)
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What assessment does my right hon. Friend make of reports of widespread public indoctrination sessions occurring in North Korea? Does that not reinforce the point that greater outside influence must be brought to bear if we are to see change in this despicable regime and change for the people of North Korea?

Lord Swire Portrait Mr Swire
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My hon. Friend will no doubt wish to discuss that at the meeting of the Conservative group on North Korea that I believe is taking place tomorrow. He mentions indoctrination, and I have to say that the levels of indoctrination that go on there are almost surreal—incomparable with any other regime or country in the world. It is truly horrific, with almost every aspect of the Korean people’s lives being the result of indoctrination. That is why, as I said, we maintain an embassy because any chink of light is better than no light at all, but it is a long haul and it is difficult work.