Korea: Judge: Raising China's Reality to an Artistic Level

February 24th, 2008 was the third day for the Divine Performing Arts New York Company in Seoul. Among the audience this day were many people from the legal profession.

A judge whose colleague recommended that he come see the show said, "All the dances are excellent, but my favorite performance is 'Drummers of the Tang Court.' The drumming is very light and lively. I'm also deeply impressed by the dances, 'The Mongolian Bowl Dance' and 'Water Sleeves.'"

The judge, who asked that his name not be revealed, continued, "It can be seen that the performances are all narrative.'The Risen Lotus Flower' depicts China's reality. I think it raises reality to the artistic level." [Note: "The Risen Lotus Flower" depicts the brutal persecution of Falun Gong in China.]

He told the reporter that before seeing the show, through a court document submitted by his colleague (materials about Falun Gong practitioners' application for refugee status), he had learned the facts about Falun Gong. He said, "I think in China, the persecution of Falun Gong is indeed to be questioned. Either in a political sense or from a religious point of view, cultivation is one's freedom of belief and freedom of speech. Everybody has the right to enjoy them."

Discussing the Chinese Communist regime's (CCP) interference with the Divine Performing Arts' performances, the judge said, "I know the interference is not only in my country, it also occurred in Canada and America. When I was in Vancouver, Canada, I saw Falun Gong practitioners' protest on the street (against CCP persecution and harassment). In Chicago and Vancouver, I also saw New Tang Dynasty Television personnel selling tickets for the Divine Performing Arts performances. Haven't the performances been staged in these places as scheduled? I wish the Divine Performing Arts' world tour a great success."