By Editors Ji-yoon and Joanna | Campaign Team
The journey through China is long and treacherous for North Korean refugees. NKHR's staff joined to observe one of such missions. Sungju, who joined the mission recalled: "The rescue worker's phone was ringing day and night. He was checking whether the group reached the next safe point on their difficult journey."
The tourist boats on Mekong River go back and forth with happy people, but for North Korean refugees on a small wooden boats this short passage is a decisive journey. "We were all very nervous," writes Sungju, "until we saw that the whole group made it. I raised my head and sent thanks to heavens."
In 2018, NKHR directly assisted 230 North Korean refugees (176 women, 5 men, 17 teenagers and 32 children) to reach South Korea safely. NKHR spent over $402,643 in relief activities. Both in terms of donations and rescues it was the highest number ever reached by NKHR in a year.
The successful rescue misions were possible thanks to an article published in the Chosun Ilbo newspaper. The article featured Young Ja's story (NKHR's Director General) of devoting her life to helping North Korean refugees. Many readers touched by her story organized fundraising efforts, bringing over $200,000 in donations.
NKHR would like to thank all the donors, including GlobalGiving donors who supported these rescues. Our mission continues as usual, as it has been for the last 20 years.
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