Robert Boynton, Director at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University, discusses his new book, The Invitation-Only Zone: The True Story of North Korea’s Abduction Project, a thoroughly researched investigative report of the systematic abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korean agents. Invitation-only zones were guarded communities for Japanese abducted by North Korean spies from the late 1970s to early 80s. Boynton’s book is a balance of the harrowing personal stories of Japanese abductees, with an analysis of contextual history, that offers an insight into the behavior of the DPRK regime. This is a special release-day event, with an author signing to follow.
"Rob Boynton tackles the question of North Korea's abductions of Japanese, too often overlooked in the US press. He also explores the broader identity clash between Japan and Korea, rooted in Meiji ideas on evolution, race and colonialism, and more recent DPRK desires to breed a new generation of spies. North Korea seized international attention with last week's fourth nuclear test, and Boynton reminds us of the longer challenges associated with the North in this riveting new work," says moderator Stephen Noerper.
The Invitation-Only Zone with Robert Boynton
Robert Boynton
Author of the Invitation-Only Zone: The True Story of North Korea’s Abduction Project
Moderated by Dr. Stephen Noerper
$10 Members, $20 Guests.
YPN and Explorer Level Members Register here for free admission.
5:30 PM | Registration
6:00 PM | Discussion & Book Signing
If you have any questions, please contact Nikita Desai or (212) 759-7525, ext. 355.
About the Speaker
Robert S. Boynton is the director of NYU's Literary Reportage program. He graduated with honors in philosophy and religion from Haverford College, and received an MA in political science from Yale University. He is the author of The Invitation-Only Zone: The True Story of North Korea's Abduction Project (FSG, 2016) and The New New Journalism (Vintage, 2005) His articles have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Nation, and elsewhere.
Stephen Noerper (moderator) writes on US policy and Asia. He was an NYU associate professor and senior State Department analyst and worked with visiting press at the Edward R. Murrow Center for Public Diplomacy. Dr. Noerper wrote in Newsweek, Asian Survey and other publications and appears in media. He is a graduate of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and London School of Economics.
Of Interest:
Purchase http://us.macmillan.com/theinvitationonlyzone/robertsboynton
The New Yorker:
