A North Korean's Journey

On Saturday, April 25, NKHR Rescue Fund partnered with the Halluwood Film Club to hold a screening of the award-winning film “The Defector,” which follows human smugglers as they lead refugees escaping North Korea. Following the film, Eun Jeong Kim, a North Korean resettler, spoke about her experience and answered questions from the audience.

In “The Defector,” director Ann Shin goes undercover to follow three North Korean individuals as they follow a smuggler to safety through China. The film explored universal questions about human rights, smuggling, and the pursuit of freedom.

Eun Jeong, a student at a university in Seoul, spoke about the journey she had made at the age of 15.  She confirmed that broker fees and fear of repatriation prevented many from even attempting to escape, and many are overburdened by debt once they reach South Korea. However, Eun Jeong acknowledged the need for such smugglers to navigate the dangers of the journey, and advocated for clear communication and understanding between the brokers and refugees.

 Thank you for your support these past few months, and make sure to be on the lookout for future events with the Rescue Fund!

Eun Jeong Kim (face blurred for safety reasons) and translator