LiNK Newsletter May 2008

Crossing, Shin Dong-Hyuk, and more in this month’s newsletter.

Liberty in North Korea | LiNK Newsletter
Updates from LiNK Worldwide

Read on for the latest news from LiNK and the worldwide movement for North Korean human rights!

Message from the Director

Friends,

Change is coming. Here in Washington, DC, the last two months saw a great deal of dialogue, debate and discussion about human rights in North Korea, among citizens, activists, advocates, scholars and public representatives. We are seeing slow but steady progress in winning new leaders and representatives to our case. In South Korea, a new President is joined by a new National Assembly this June, and both branches have shown a willingness to talk about what was once considered taboo – human rights in North Korea, and the rights of North Korean refugees.

On June 26, the movie Crossing will premier in theaters throughout South Korea, a powerful portrayal of the sufferings of the North Korean people. Our entire headquarters office, as well as some of our field protection officers, will gather in Seoul as well, spending several weeks working on engaging both the grassroots and policymaking elite, raising awareness of the crisis to the general populace, and also engaging North Korean defectors in Seoul.

To say the least, we have high hopes.

In the past month, I have had the privilege of spending just under two weeks with Dong Hyuk Shin, a North Korean defector who is the only known survivor born and raised in a North Korean concentration camp, and one of the DPRK’s “Total Control Zones” at that. Shin was born in 1982 in North Korea’s Camp Number 14 in the Kaechon region. His story is at once compelling and numbing, tragic and yet hopeful. Shin has come from a background that makes so many others’ pale in comparison, and has become a capable and passionate advocate for recognition of the atrocities happening in North Korea. Throughout meetings with policymakers and the grassroots, it has reminded us of the urgency of this cause, an urgency we lose sight of so often. As you read these words, the children Shin grew up with in Kaechon’s camp – children who have known no life outside of the camps – are still living, working, and dying in these camps. This summer, reports from various aid agencies and NGOs indicate potential losses from starvation of up to a quarter-million North Korean refugees.

We must continue to develop and improve our own efforts, and we must fight harder to make this issue one that matters to leaders around this world. This summer, we hope to make an impact in South Korea, and spark what must eventually become a domestic grassroots movement that can propel Free Korea to the forefront worldwide on this fight. Amidst what is often discouraging work, it is the energy of the grassroots and the willingness of complete strangers to help that often recharges us. Pictured here is just-turned-five David, oldest son of one of LiNK’s supporters in the Bay Area. Recently, David worked with his father to break open his piggy bank, and carefully removed exactly half of his savings – $25 – to give to the cause. He also set aside a crayon and some papers for “the North Korean children.”

We have been entrusted to do important work, and to do it effectively. We will work hard to ensure your trust is well-placed, until the day North Koreans are free. Thank you for your continued support.

Onwards and upwards,
Adrian Hong

RECAP: Shin Dong-Hyuk US Tour

LiNK hosted a nationwide speaking tour from May 1-15, 2008 for North Korean defector Shin Dong-Hyuk who was born into slavery and raised as a political prisoner in a North Korean concentration camp. Beginning with a press conference on Capitol Hill – hosted by Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Representatives Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Diane Watson (D-CA) – Mr. Shin shared his story and perspectives on North Korea and the world that was hidden from him until recently, and urged the world to stop the grave injustices in the North.

LiNK’s Directors, who accompanied Mr. Shin, also shared new developments and information about the crisis, refugee situation and LiNK’s resettlement activities, and how the public can get involved.

The following week, LiNK hosted a private pre-screening of Director Kim Tae-Kyun’s Crossing at The ImaginAsian Theater in New York City, which was attended by over 200 guests, including activists, defectors, media and representatives of the New York State Governor and Assemblymen. The audience was visibly moved and many pledged to increase their involvement in and support for this cause. A “Brown-Bag Lunch Discussion” was also hosted at Columbia University’s Center for the Study of Human Rights, as well as a press conference and gathering with New York State Assemblymember Ellen Young.

Mr. Shin also shared his testimony and pointed the location of his former home and camp parameters and facilities on Google Earth in a “Google Tech Talk” with LiNK Executive Director Adrian Hong at the Googleplex headquarters near San Francisco. Google had previously hosted Mr. Hong for a talk in June.

Throughout the tour, mixers and happy hours were hosted at venues such as M Grill Restaurant in Los Angeles (5/14) and IndeBleu in Washington, DC (5/2), the latter co-sponsored by the Sejong Society of Washington, DC, Asian American Pacific Film, Inc. and the National Association of Asian American Professionals.

Awareness events were also held at The King’s College in New York City (5/6), Northwestern University Law School (5/9) and Foster Bank in Chicago (5/10), UC-Berkeley (5/12), UCLA (5/14) and UC-Irvine (5/15).

Full debrief coming soon at The LiNK Blog [ here ].

UPDATE: Reports Indicate Resurgent Famine Looming This Summer

Recent reports from various organizations have warned of a resurgent famine in North Korea, comparable to the “Great Famine” that hit the country in the mid-1990s. Reports have indicated that the “Public Distribution System”, North Korea’s state food distribution system, has broken down not only in rural areas, but in Pyongyang as well, typically the last area to experience the same hardships felt in the rural counties. The widespread damage caused from major flooding in 2006 and 2007 has exacerbated the effects of the abnormal weather and low crop yield this season. In addition, North Korea has refused to accept or formally request aid from its neighbor South Korea, ending years of millions of tons worth of unconditional food aid that typically arrives from the South. The U.N. World Food Programme, one of many organizations predicting a major shortfall in food this year, has reported that, “North Korea faces a looming food and humanitarian crisis after a poor harvest that has caused food prices to skyrocket and supplies to dwindle.” The WFP estimates and expects North Korea’s annual food deficit to nearly double since last year to 1.83 million tons, leaving nearly 6.5 million people hungry. In the great famine of the 1990s, North Korea suffered from an estimated one to three million deaths out of a population of 23 million.

Cars for Refugees

LiNK is seeking cars to be used by North Korean refugees resettled here in the US. If you are able to donate and would like more information, please email info (at) linkglobal.org with the subject headline “Cars for Refugees.”

All contributions are, of course, tax-deductible!

Fundraiser Highlight: RUN for LiNK

LiNK would like to thank Christine Kwon for her efforts to raise awareness for the North Korean human rights cause and $10,000 for LiNK by sacrificing her time and energy to run two! marathons.

To learn more about Ms. Kwon’s goals, or help her reach them, visit her blog [ here ].

LiNK Headquarters in Seoul

LiNK Headquarters will be in Seoul from June 21 to July 27 for Project: Real Sunshine and the Chollima Leadership Program. LiNK staff will continue to answer emails and can be reached at their respective addresses or at info (at) linkglobal.org.

Donate to LiNK!
Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is

Don’t forget – you can make recurring, monthly donations to LiNK and the worldwide movement for North Korean human rights! With a few clicks, you can set a monthly contribution from your credit card – funds that will go toward LiNK’s growing network of underground shelters in Asia, rescue missions, humanitarian aid projects inside North Korea, and international advocacy for these vulnerable and voiceless people.

All contributions are, of course, tax-deductible!

Contact Information
email: info@linkglobal.org
phone: 202.347.2150
web: http://www.linkglobal.org