Justice and Human Rights South Korea Project #23723

Give Life and Hope to a North Korean Refugee

by Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights

Give Life and Hope to a North Korean Refugee

Project Report | Sep 21, 2017
Three-generation of four women rescued

By Joanna Hosaniak | Project Leader

Thanks to our generous donors, the rescue work continues, although slowly due to continued increased arrests of North Koreans in China. We are happy to report, however, that a three-generation family of four women reached South Korea safely. Mi-ae is 41 years old and she contacted rescue workers to receive assistance for her 62-year old mother and her two young daughters: 10-year-old Kyung and 5-year-old Won.

When in China, Mi-ae explained her hardships to the rescue worker who contacted us to help the four women:

"In North Korea, my family suffered from extreme poverty. In order to survive, we were forced to separate. My father passed away and my two sisters left for China to look for a means of survival. When we did not hear from them again, my mother was inconsolable. I had a hope that maybe if I got married, I could escape poverty and help take care of my mother, as my sisters were not returning. But my marriage only led to abuse and domestic violence.

Finally, my mother and I and my older daughter went to search for my lost sisters in China where I was sold to human traffickers, who then sold me to a man near Shenyang. I did not know anyone and had no place to go. In fear of being reported to police and deported, I endured months of gruesome physical labor and did whatever the man ordered me to do. However, I was caught and repatriated back to North Korea where I was punished for leaving to China by serving in a labor detention center for six months. My mother and older daughter remained in China, and I was scared to send them a message that I was caught in fear that the police would deport them, too.

In 2013, I left again for China and was reunited with my mother and my older daughter. We made up our mind to go to South Korea, partly with the hope that maybe my two sisters had made it there and we could find them. This is how I met you (read: the rescue worker) and I cannot believe that we are finally going to leave China for South Korea. I could not believe hearing that there are good people who sent money to rescue our family. I can promise you, I will raise my daughters well."

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May 25, 2017
19 refugees found safe haven

By Lauren E. Walker & Joanna Hosaniak | Project Leaders

refugees' stories

We are happy to report that since the beginning of this year, we have been able to assist 19 refugees in reaching safety. Some of them have already entered South Korea, others are under refugee protection and will enter South Korea very soon. Once they enter South Korea, it will be at least 6 more months until we can hear from them again. During these 6 months, they will go through an investigation and then special government resettlement programs, which will prepare them for adjusting to their new lives in South Korea.

So far this year, we have received over US $1,200 in donations from our generous Global Giving donors. Every dollar goes to rescuing women and children; this costs, on average, $2,000 per person.

We have received a few letters from the field from refugees whom we are helping, who have reached a safe third country and are now asking for asylum in South Korea. Here is a letter from Ee-yok, which we share with you, thanking you for giving life and hope to people like her.

"Earlier this March, I sent you a letter in desperation asking for help. While still recovering from a serious medical condition, I left North Korea hoping to avoid starvation. However, I did not know that in China a series of tragedies were awaiting me. I was sold into human trafficking, forced into multiple marriages, and in my third marriage suffered domestic violence. My lack of legal status in China made it almost impossible for me to escape these situations. After enduring years of psychological, verbal and physical abuse, my dream became to go to the Republic of Korea and not pass these miseries on to my children.

Now I am glad to tell you that I, my two children and four other North Korean refugees were able to reach a South-East Asian country safely and wait for our departure to South Korea. In a few months, I will be able to land in the world of freedom and will no longer live in fear of forced repatriation back to North Korea.

Sincerely,

Ee-yok"

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Feb 28, 2017
70 refugees saved in 2016!

By Joanna Hosaniak | Project Leader

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