It’s only six o’clock in the evening but with the fading sun comes utter darkness. The night is invasive; seemingly snatching every glimmer of hope that life could be different. In a country that is both literally and figuratively darkened due to inadequate resources and the relentless grip of a regime bent on absolute control, North Koreans have little other choice but to embrace the darkness, and slowly grope and strain towards survival.
With the collapse of the USSR in the 1990’s North Korea in the post Cold War era became unable to fully sustain itself. Without the help of its allies, and a shift in political agenda, the people began to experience extreme conditions of lack. The political philosophy of the North Korean regime became one of “Military First” and with that nearly all resources, limited as they already were, were diverted from the people to the military. The natural deficiencies of a mountainous and arid terrain when combined with poor government decisions and actions resulted in one the most horrific humanitarian crises of the 20th century. Even worse, because of the isolationist policies of the regime much of it went unnoticed and unaided by the rest of the world. Estimates now rest around 1 million people, or roughly 5% of the population perished in the 1990’s as a result of the government aggravated famines that struck the land.
In the waning light a mother quickly grabs the last morsels to stow them in a small bag. Fear wraps itself as tightly around her as the thickening darkness. She glances down at the scribble of instructions for the millionth time before finally ripping it up and swallowing it. As she swallows the last piece the small faces of her two children catch her eye. She pauses. Is she really making the right decision? But examining their smaller than average frames and bloated tummies that question is extinguished from her mind and heart forever; convinced this is really her only choice if they are to have a future.
With the breakdown of the state-run distribution centers in the 90’s North Koreans either starved to death, got extremely creative, or they fled. North Koreans began to traverse into the border regions of China, and suddenly there was a refugee crisis quietly beginning to simmer. Due to the political alliance between China and North Korea the people who cross over face a host of perils. They could be hunted down and repatriated to North Korea where they will inevitably face prison camps after being beaten and interrogated. Those that are able to avoid capture for a time are constantly at risk for traffickers that sell women and children into marriages or brothels. Ultimately, all the North Koreans hiding in China know that they will need to continue trekking the 2000 miles through China towards South East Asia where they might be safe enough to claim asylum. Despite the dangers, more than 34,000 North Koreans have made it safely to South Korea to date.
A knock at the door startles her. For an instant her worst fear is nearly realized: police have discovered her plan of escape and have come to take her and her children away. The pause and slightly shifted rhythm of the rapping on the door brings her back to reality. This is her first step to freedom. She gathers her children and they silently follow the figure into the black of night. After hours of groping through the darkness they reach the now frozen river that has stood for generations as the natural border between China and North Korea; between the hope of a new life and the fear of capture. With the first hints of light beginning to peak over the tops of mountains, there is no time to reconsider, she scoops both her children in her arms and runs across the solid mass. She muffles a cry of relief into the children, held in her arms, as she lightly sets them down to scramble up the frozen bank onto the Chinese side. Pushing her children now ahead of her, she recalls the scribbled instructions. Exhausted, cold, and starving as they are, they must continue to trek through the darkness until they reach the checkpoint.
Not unlike the Underground Railroad used by fugitive slaves in the United States , there exists a network of “stations” and “conductors” in China and along the route to South East Asia. A combination of non-profit organizations, churches, and other informal actors have created routes through which North Koreans can trickle out of China and into a place of transition before being resettled to South Korea. Most North Koreans are resettled to South Korea as it has been established in their constitution that all peoples upon the peninsula belong to the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Similarly, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea also makes a similar claim. However, at times North Koreans are resettled to other countries with some 970 living in Canada, around 220 living in the United States, and many handfuls having made it to Europe or England.
As sunlight fully invades the northeastern Chinese sky the journey becomes that much more dangerous. The children begin to whimper and ask for food. The woman looks for a place to hunker down and open her small sack. Slowly she opens the bag, convinced the few pieces she has been able to save will not be enough to satiate her suffering children. As she divides the congealed stew of beaten roots and cabbage she hears the faint sounds of what seems to be an engine. Whispering desperately to her kids to be silent, the SUV is nearly upon her as they dash under the brush. Boots hit the ground just feet from where she huddles over her children, covering their mouths to keep their stifled sobs from being detected. Her own breath caught in her throat as the feet stomp around the area and voices begin to rise. “Che Un, let's eat sweet potato for lunch” the voice calls out. She can longer suppress the weeping in her own chest as she recognizes the code and vaults out from hiding. Her husband’s strong embrace greets her. But his voice is harder than she remembers as he tries to calm her down. While he has found his family and they are safe for the moment they still have a long way to go.
The stories of North Koreans desperately braving incredible hardship to find safety have reached across oceans and continents. In 2004, a few students that were attending a conference geared towards Korean American students were struck by footage of conditions in North Korea. As the conference came to a close these students could not let go of the images they had seen and decided to take action. They founded Liberty in North Korea which would petition for changes in policy and approaches in the United States towards North Korea, but would also raise funds and help North Koreans escape from China and resettle to South Korea. After a few years of little progress and setbacks they reevaluated their mission and began to strategize new approaches. In 2009 Liberty in North Korea moved to Los Angeles, CA and began focusing on raising awareness amongst students and the general public through a national tour initiative. In setting out to different communities to expose the truth of life in North Korea they also raised funds to continue to support the safe journey of North Koreans through China and into resettlement.
To date Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) has rescued 1,310 North Koreans, reached hundreds of thousands of people across North America and the glove with the reality of life under the Kim Regime, and built relationships with dozens of businesses and other organizations to expand the network of those supporting the people of North Korea. In the mid 2010’s LiNK once more had to develop a new approach to best support North Koreas. With tensions in the region and a spotlight on Kim Jung-Un, the third leader of North Korea, border crossings became critically expensive and dangerous. An area that may have seen several sneaking across the frozen river nightly, devolved into hardly any for weeks at a time. North Koreans already resettled were more desperate than ever to connect with families. They seemed to find the cracks and LiNK became more focused on leveraging those relationships to continue its work. Today, LiNK has programs in place that encourage self-efficacy for those resettled to South Korea. Many North Koreans have shared the challenge of the cultural, linguistic, and attitude barriers they face due to the complete separation the two countries have endured for decades. One program they offer to the new arrivals is mentorship by previously resettled North Koreans, those that have begun to thrive in South Korea come alongside newer arrivals and help them navigate common barriers. For those clients that wish to move forward in their education, or careers LiNK now has a scholarship program to provide assistance for those who wish to explore such opportunities. Finally, LiNK offers an assortment of workshops that are designed to empower clients and build upon the self-efficacy that is essential to successfully resettling in South Korea. North Koreans have proven they are incredibly resilient and innovative. LiNK, too has drawn from a spirit of innovation and resiliency to face the crises of a nation and a people often overlooked and see hope, see people worth fighting for, and see the beauty of each individual and their potential if nurtured. To learn more about LiNK and hear testimonies from North Koreas, visit https://libertyinnorthkorea.org/
The family reunited, scurry into the car. They are shocked into silence though a thousand questions are ringing through their minds. The driver’s voice is gruff but informative and in its own way reassuring, “We have an hour of twisting dirt roads. I have to drive with the lights off so as not to draw too much attention to us. This will be a slow, very bumpy route. Please try not to talk above a whisper, so we can keep windows down and let the fresh air in. Before we reach the main road, I will stop. It will be the last chance to relieve yourselves and talk. Once we get to the main road, you will all need to hide under this thick blanket that will be laid on top of you. Absolute silence is required. If I stop the car, if you hear voices, you are to hold completely still and remain totally quiet. There will be several checkpoints we need to pass before the night is over. You aren’t safe. Should you be discovered, we all face terrible consequences. Do you understand?” The children begin to cry. They don’t know what he is saying, but they sense the fear, the danger. The mother once again wraps them in her arms. The father’s arms surround them, too and for now, that is the comfort they need. They all agree with the driver. “If you can pass through this night, it gets easier from here. But don’t for a second let your heart be relieved. Stay watchful. The road is still arduous.” Along the darkness they continue. It’s the darkness they know. The darkness knows them. They move through it relentlessly. For tonight they are guided by the flicker of hope that shines brighter than ever in their hearts.
******* Thank you to Liberty in North Korea for your courageous work and passionate pursuit of freedom in North Korea. Thank you to the people of North Korea, who I have met and befriended. Your stories are important to me and to this world. Thank you for those that would read this and go out and support the people's cause for a life of hope and a life of freedom in and out of North Korea.
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