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An Afternoon with Shin Dong-Hyuk: The Only Known Person to Escape a Total Control Zone

“The North Korean government is not afraid of what I have to say. What the North Korean government is afraid of is how you will react to what I tell you. Will you believe me? And if so, will you do anything about it?”

On Saturday December 20, 2014, the NKHR Rescue Fund once again partnered with the Hallyuwood Film Club to hold its last event of 2014: “An Afternoon with Shin Dong-hyuk: ‘The Only Known Person to Escape a Total Control Zone.’” The event—which was held at the Chungshin Girls Middle School in Jamsil, Seoul—began with a talk and Q&A with Shin Dong-hyuk, the only known person born and raised in a “total control zone” prison camp in North Korea to have escaped. He is currently one of the strongest voices against human rights violations in North Korea. The event concluded with a screening of the documentary “Camp 14: Total Control Zone,” which recounts Shin’s experience inside and his escape from the prison camp. 

The event nearly packed the house. About 200 people from all over the world came to spend the afternoon with Shin. To this audience of students and professionals, of South Koreans and foreigners, Shin contrasted his own powerlessness to the huge influence of the members of the international community. Referring to himself, Shin said that the weak could not help the weak; whereas the strong could give hope to the weak. 

Shin also noted with regret the lack of international—especially popular, celebrity-endorsed—attention the human rights issues of North Korea has received. Alluding to historical genocides, Shin warned that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past, of standing aside as innocent people are killed by millions. Whether it’s protesting on the streets, boycotting North Korean tourism, or writing letters to authorities, we should send a message to the North Korean regime: that they cannot kill as they wish. Once again Shin emphasized the importance of international community in lending its voice to the voiceless in North Korea. 

After the talk and Q&A with Shin, the audience watched the documentary with renewed interest, as Shin’s message of the importance of their role in North Korean human rights began to sink in. 

The event was a meaningful and successful close of 2014 for NKHR Rescue Fund, and we thank you for being a part of it! Because of your generous donations, we were able to raise nearly KRW 2,400,000!

A Glimpse of Inequality in Inequality in North Korea: Hunger Banquet for North Korean Human Rights

On Thursday, November 6, the NKHR Rescue Fund team held a hunger banquet to raise awareness about hunger, food insecurity and social inequality in North Korea. The event was hosted at Neungla Bapsang (능라밥상) in Jongno, a restaurant owned by a North Korean defector that serves North Korean cuisine. Neungla Bapsang employs other North Korean defectors and regularly donates a part of its profits to fund scholarships that help other defectors.

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Participants were randomly assigned to one of the 3 songbun (social classes) of North Korean society with a false identity—hostile, wavering or core. The dinner they received corresponded to their class. The hostile class only received two potato dumplings each, the wavering a bowl of bibimbap, and the core a bowl of meat soup with rice. Guests were able to discuss their characters’ stories and observe their differences over dinner; people in the hostile class were also given NKHR Food Aid comprised of Choco Pies, modeled after the United Nations food aid that has been distributed in North Korea for the past few decades. Participants were assigned seats at the same table as others who were of different classes as they so that they could experience firsthand how the wide gaps in social status affects daily life in North Korea. Participants were visibly shocked that the social inequality produces such vast inequalities in the type of food people in North Korea can access; however, the shock gave way to camaraderie as unlike in North Korea, many participants of the core and wavering classes readily and willingly shared their meals with those in the hostile class. 

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After dinner, we invited Kim Eun Jeong (김은정), a young woman who escaped North Korea at the age of 15, to speak to the group. Ms. Kim also took questions from guests, conducted a Q&A session where people were able to learn more about the food shortages in North Korea. It was evident that many people were shocked and moved as she discussed the hardships she had faced and described the mass suffering she had observed during her childhood in North Korea. 

During the event, we also held a raffle with a variety of prizes, all of which were generously donated by the NKHR office and businesses in Seoul.

Thanks to the generous donations of the guests, the NKHR Rescue Fund raised over 700,000 Korean won (roughly USD 700) at the Hunger Banquet. We would also like to thank Neungla Bapsang for hosting and accommodating us, as well as Plant Bakery, Café San Damiano, Magpie Brewery and The Beastro for their generous contributions to the raffle.

North Korea Trivia Night

On Wednesday September 3, 2014, the NKHR Rescue Fund held a fun night of trivia, raffle and Q&A with North Korean escapee and activist Yeonmi Park. Hosted at the awesome Phillies Pub in Haebangchon, the event was a great opportunity to reach out to a new crowd and raise funds in a fun and casual setting. 

Yeonmi Park began the night by sharing her compelling story with the audience. Yeonmi, who escaped North Korea in 2007 and arrived in South Korea through China and Mongolia two years later, now lives in Seoul and has been actively engaged in raising awareness of North Korean human rights violations by giving speeches in both Korean and English, participating in a television program “Now on My Way to Meet You” and co-hosting the “Casey Lartigue Show with Yeonmi Park”, a podcast program. After listening to her powerful story, the crowd participated in a trivia game. All the 60 questions were written about topics related to North Korea, such as North Korean defectors, history and food, and they provided an opportunity for people to learn more about the country. The first and second place winners were announced at the end of the night and were awarded prizes donated by the generous Phillies Pub. 

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Thanks to your generous contributions, the NKHR Rescue Fund raised 815,000 KRW or $800 in total! We would like to thank everyone who came to the event and showed support for North Korean refugees. We would also like to thank Yeonmi Park for joining us, and Phillies Pub for the space, the delicious food for our hungry volunteers, and the generous prize donations.  For great food and great company, be sure to check out them out!  

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There will be many exciting events planned throughout the remainder of the year to meet our goal of raising $15,000 to save 6 North Korean refugees and help them reach South Korea safely. Keep up-to-date on our blog and Facebook page (NKHR Rescue Fund). We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

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Give North Korean Refugees Freedom and Hope

North Koreans who risk their lives to escape North Korea deserve the chance to live with freedom, justice, adequate food, clothing, and shelter–like every human being. They also deserve the opportunity to successfully attain stability and achieve their full potential once they safely resettle in a new country.  NKHR Rescue Fund, a volunteer group within the NGO Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights, helps North Korean refugees begin new lives filled with freedom and hope in South Korea. Learn more about NKHR Rescue Fund and Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights.

NKHR Rescue Fund raises money to bring North Korean refugees safely to South Korea. It costs approximately 2500 USD to ensure the safe passage from China to South Korea for one refugee. 

In 2013, NKHR Rescue Fund rescued five refugees.  Read about their lives and journeys here.  In 2014, we reached our goal of rescuing 6 refugees. Help us give six more North Korean refugees a new beginning in 2015 by donating here.