Last Saturday, July 13th, 2013, concert pianist and North Korean re-settler Kim Cheol-woong shared the story of his defection through talk and music, at a charity event hosted by NKHR at Haechi Hall.

Kim, perhaps more so than your average musician, has made immense sacrifices for the right to play his music. He shared the story of his journey, his reasons for defection, and his philosophical ideals over the course of the afternoon, interspersed with carefully selected songs.

Kim readily admits that his story is atypical of North Korean defectors. He led a life of relative comfort in North Korea.  His musical talent was recognized at an early age and he was sent to Pyongyang to further his musical studies at an elite school. As a result, he was insulated from the want and deprivation that is a common thread in the stories of many refugees. The privileges he sought outside of North Korea had little to do with material comfort. While victims of malnutrition and starvation longed for a more stable food supply, Kim had a burning curiosity about other, freer forms of music, and what it would be like to play what he wanted, as opposed to the standard litany of tunes glorifying the regime. Kim had studied music abroad in Moscow, where he had been exposed to many forms of modern music.

Such curiosity, if acted upon, amounts to political crime in North Korea. Having more to lose, as it were, than the average North Korean, one wonders where Kim found the courage to entertain it. The answer seems to lie in his love for music, and certainly no one can deny his passion for it. At the concert, he spent as much if not more time speaking about the beauty and power of music than the bleak political situation in North Korea. 

Kim Cheol-woong recalled the series of events that led to his defection matter-of-factly. Thinking that he would not be overheard, he once played a song that he had learned while studying in Moscow. In October 2001, Kim Cheol-woong was informed on to the National Security Agency and punished for playing Richard Clayderman's  "'A' Comme Amour," or "'L' for Love" for his girlfriend.

After having to write a ten page report of self criticism for his crime, he decided to leave.  There are times, Kim admitted, that he regretted his decision. He was a poor illegal worker in China for many years. For several of them he could not even play piano, as the small village where he ended up did not have one. One of the songs played at the concert, Amazing Grace, was the first song he played when he finally found a piano in an old church in China. Fifty of the keys made no sound, but at the time, it was wonderful, Kim recalls. Finding the church was fortunate in more than one way, as the people there assisted him in making his way to South Korea.

Since then, music has once again become a central part of Kim’s life, as he has continued to play and perform in South Korea. During the concert, Kim shared his hope that, just as the strict rules of classical music and the freedom and creativity of modern music can blend to make something more complete and more beautiful, North and South Korea could one day be reunified and reconciled on the basis of shared values and modernity.

We are grateful for Kim Cheol-woong’s willingness to share his music and his story with us, and we are equally grateful to all of those who came on Saturday and made this event a great success. 

The concert and raffle raised a total of ₩5,800,000, which will be used to help two more refugees reach South Korea safely, and to continue the Hanawon educational program for young defectors settling in South Korea.

Event: A Woman’s Voice: Testimony of Eunju Kim

On June 29, 2013, NKHR Rescue Fund hosted North Korean re-settler Eunju Kim, who described her trials escaping North Korea and, eventually, reaching South Korea. The talk was the third such event held by NKHR at Tripti Cafe. 

Eunju’s desire to leave North Korea stemmed less from political reasons as much as it did from her need to get food. Nearing starvation, China seemed like the ideal destination because it was depicted as a land where she could eat candy to her heart’s content. Eunju  decided to escape with her mother and sister. 

Eunju’s testimony is rare for the insight it gives into the experience of female refugees. According to Eunju, the experience of defection varies according to gender: while men are generally exploited for their labor, women are sold as slaves or brides.  Contrary to her dreams, upon arrival in China, Eunju experienced harsh discrimination and her mother was sold as a bride. Eventually, her family was able to come to South Korea, though signs of her trauma remain. Remembered fear of deportation in China made Eunju extremely sensitive to the sounds of sirens. Even now, in South Korea, her heart races when she hears sirens. Nevertheless, though difficult, Eunju noted that the fact that her family was never separated made her experience a relatively “easy” one.

Eunju expressed a peace with her past that many have yet to find. For these reasons, Eunju urged the audience to keep talking about the humanitarian crisis in North Korea, for the sake of those for whom fear is still their inescapable present.

Event: Songs of Freedom - a Benefit Concert

On July 6, 2013, NKHR Rescue Fund hosted a benefit concert called "Songs of Freedom" at the Camarata Music Company Studio in Haebongchon. The concert featured Carolyn Demisch, Jennifer Waescher and the Adjourning Vagabonds, who performed covers, acoustic folk and original music respectively. The performers selected various songs revolving around one theme - freedom. Through beautiful music, the performers reached out to the audience, urging them to support Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights in their rescue efforts. 

This fundraiser event was a part of the 'North Korean Human Rights Refugee Rescue Fund' (탈북난민 구호금 모금운동) and all fees and donations are being used to support and save vulnerable North Korean refugees who are hiding in countries like China, still waiting to be rescued from the risk of repatriation and prison camps.

Thank you to everyone who came to the benefit concert to support this cause! 

On June 7th 2013, Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights received a request to help four North Korean refugees in China. 

The two female refugees, both of them young women, are originally from Hamgyeong Province. Upon hearing that they could earn better money in China, they fled from their increasingly difficult lives in the North, but were sold to Chinese men.

We helped the father and his 14-year-old daughter after his college-aged son, already living in South Korea, came to us with an urgent request.  After resettling, the son had remained in contact with his family in the North and had recently realized that his father and sister were sick, suffering from malnutrition and other precarious situations.

₩ 3,600,000 of the funds raised from our NKHR Refugee Rescue Fundraising Campaign Team went to help the father and his 14-year old daughter.

We are happy to announce that two female refugees, a father and his teenage daughter arrived safely in a Southeast Asian country this past week.

In a desperate attempt to maintain the regime, North Korea bars its citizens from leaving the country, but the march towards freedom continues. It is an irreversible trend. In a month or two, the four North Korean refugees will arrive in South Korea. We hope they achieve the happy lives they dream of. 


Sincerely,
Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights
Seoul, South Korea

NKHR, with the Hallyuwood Film Club, are hosting another movie screening of the 2012 North Korean Human Rights International Film Festival movie called the "Traveler from the North (여행자)" (w/English subs), a documentary called "North Korea Through the Eyes of Witnesses" and a Q&A session with a North Korean defector (in English & Korean) after the movie!

We will show a documentary called "North Korea Through the Eyes of Witnesses." The documentary presents women, children and political prison camp issues in North Korea. Seven victims describe their experiences of horror. The video is intertwined with secret footages shot in North Korea. The documentary was produced in 2011 by the Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights.

"Traveler from the North (여행자)", directed by Lee Won Sik, is about a North Korean single mother defector and how she deals with the hardships she faces as she settles down in South Korea., follows the emotionally overwhelming journey of a North Korean man who illegally leaves the country in a desperate attempt, despite the risks, to find a medicine for his sick wife. The movie portrays the incredible hardships of an average North Korean citizens and the gravity of the risks many defectors are at the risk of and must confront. This film received financial support from the film festival (2012 North Korean Human Rights International Film Festival).

View trailer for Traveler from the North


We will also have a Q&A with a North Korean defector following the movie. At this event, we will have Chung Kwang Sung (정광성), who will share his experience and answer questions to better depict the reality of the escape from North Korea.

This event is a part of the 'North Korean Human Rights Refugee Rescue Fund'  and all fees and donations will be used to support and save vulnerable North Korean refugees who are hiding in countries like China, still waiting to be rescued from the risk of repatriation and prison camps.

To learn more about the fundraiser campaign and help spread awareness about NK human rights, please visit our website: 

http://www.nkhrrescuefund.org/ 

Like and share our facebook or tumblr page:

http://www.facebook.com/NKHRRescueFund

http://nkhrrescuefund.tumblr.com/ 



Location: Sports Complex Station (Line 2 Exit 3)
Kim Maria Building, 1st Floor, Annie Ellers Hall, Chungshin Girls School, Jamsil, Seoul
Map: http://goo.gl/lONmv

Date:  Saturday, June 15, 2013
start 13:00 // end: 15:00

Entrance: 0! (Donations appreciated!)

We will be accepting donations during the event and people who donate 20,000 or more will receive a complementary 'Thank you!' gift from NKHR for showing your support for human rights in North Korea and standing in solidarity with the refugees who have escaped, but are still living in fear of repatriation.

Our gift is a beautiful tumbler decorated by award winning children's artwork depicting the human rights abuses that children must endure in North Korea. The art illustrates the horror of North Korean prison camps, but also reveals hope for a better tomorrow.



Thank you, and we hope you will all attend our second movie screening!
If you have any questions, please contact us via email: nkhrrescuefund@gmail.com

Nine orphaned North Korean defectors (ages 14 to 23) risked their lives to fight for their human rights. Their willpower and hope overpowered their fear. From North Korea to China, and China to Laos, they pushed on toward freedom – they were almost there.

However, all hope vanished on Friday, May 10, 2013.

The nine North Korean youth defectors, with the help of two South Koreans, were en route to South Korea when authorities in Muang Xay, Laos, captured them and sent them to the Immigration Detention Center in Bientiane, Laos. One of the South Korean leaders pleaded the South Korean embassy to provide the nine North Korean refugees with necessary protection, but the South Korean embassy did not take any emergency actions to help them. Instead, the South Korean embassy told the refugees to “wait.” For seventeen days, neither the South Korean embassy nor its embassy in Laos visited or interviewed the young defectors while a North Korean diplomat, claiming to be a South Korean diplomat, visited the refugees, twice.

On May 27th, 2013, the North Korean diplomat succeeded in taking the nine North Korean youth defectors back to China.

The refugees were on the brink of being repatriated back to North Korea, where they will be punished - tortured and abused at political prison camps, and possibly face the risk of execution.

On Wednesday, May 29th, 2013, NKHR members along with other supporters, gathered in front of the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs to appeal to the South Korean government to take action and stop the enforced repatriation of these young defectors. NKHR members and other supporters let their voices be heard on the streets of Seoul; “The South Korean government must take responsibility for its negligence and failure to protect the young North Korean refugees in Laos.”

Ultimately, the nine North Korean youth defectors were deported back to North Korea. Even though the Laotian government knew the fatal fate of these refugees, it sent them back to North Korea. The Laotian government did not stand by its duty as a signatory of the UN Convention on the Rights of Children. The Laotian government’s actions were basically a violation of human rights.

On Friday, May 31st, 2013, NKHR held another street protest/press conference at the Embassy of Laos in South Korea to demonstrate against the Laotian government’s inhuman practice and to urge the Laotian government never to send refugees back to North Korea again.

We need to keep in mind that Laos is one of the main routes for North Korean refugees to come to South Korea.

The fight isn't over yet.

We are talking about nine young lives – help us save these lives. Continue to support and pray for the nine young North Korean defectors; continue to support other future refugees; and continue to voice your opinion on the issue of human rights in North Korea.

We’ve had a recent donation from Princeton for North Korean Human Rights (PNKHR). 

Princeton for North Korean Human Rights, a student organization dedicated to promoting North korean human rights in the Princeton community, held a fundraiser on April 27/28 at the larger annual campus-town event called “Communiversity”. 

At their booth at the event, PNKHR explained the current North Korean human rights situations to the Princeton community and distributed their pamphlets to spread awareness to the students, professors, and Princeton residents. They also held a small fund-raising event called “Splash to Save”, where people - mainly children who came with their parents - could have a shot with a water gun for $5. 

PNKHR has redirected the total amount of donations from this fund-raising event as a contribution to the NKHR Rescue Fund.

We’d like to thank them for their kind donations and the continued efforts to spread awareness on North Korean human rights violations to the Princeton community.

NKHR is holding a film screening of the groundbreaking Korean movie "Crossing" (w/English subs) and a Q&A session with a North Korean defector (in English & Korean) after the movie to answer your questions about the dangerous defection process and the abysmal human rights situation in North Korea.

All proceeds will go to rescuing six North Korean refugees who are trapped in temporary transit countries and desperately trying to make their way to safety in South Korea.

This event is a part of the 'North Korean Human Rights Refugee Rescue Fund' and all fees and donations will be used to support and save vulnerable North Korean refugees who are hiding in countries like China, still waiting to be rescued from the risk of repatriation and prison camps.

The venue was generously offered by the CUBA Language Exchange in Suwon!

Location: "별밤" POP ("Byeolbam" Pop.) 
1042-9 5th Fl, Ingyedong, Paldalgu, Suwon 442-834

Most people will take a short cab ride from Suwon Station to Ingyedong CGV. From there, they should go up the street next to KB bank (three intersections.) There will be a 7 Eleven on the right hand corner. Turn left and look up at the building to the left. "별밤" POP is on the fifth floor of that building. There is an elevator in the back left hand corner of the entry.

For public transit (bus) see map.

Korean speakers can call Jay at: 010-4092-1332. 
English speakers can call me (Kate) at: 010-2352-3223.

Date: Sunday, May 12, 2013
start: 14:00 // end: 16:30

Entrance/입장료: 0! (Donations appreciated)

We will be accepting donations during the event and people who donate 20,000 or more will receive a complementary 'Thank you!' gift from NKHR for showing your support for human rights in North Korea and standing in solidarity with the refugees who have escaped, but are still living in fear of repatriation.

Our gift is a beautiful tumbler decorated by award winning children's artwork depicting the human rights abuses that children must endure in North Korea. The art illustrates the horror of North Korean prison camps, but also reveals hope for a better tomorrow.

To learn more about the fundraiser campaign and help spread awareness about NK human rights, please visit our website: 

http://www.nkhrrescuefund.org/ 

Like and share our facebook or tumblr page:

http://www.facebook.com/NKHRRescueFund

http://nkhrrescuefund.tumblr.com/ 

Hope to see you there!

NKHR is inviting a North Korean Defector to come share his personal testimony about survival in North Korea, his time in a prison camp, escape to China, defection process to South Korea and the hardships he faced throughout his harrowing journey. 

Testimonial Quotes:

"Because people are deemed criminals in North Korea, they are then starved. But this does not take away from the fact that they are human. They also possess love, a conscience, morality, and a mind. They are just caught in the flow of evil, and are left to survive it if they can."

"It was almost as if we were no longer human beings, but more like goods being exchanged. I agonized over what would lie ahead. A worse feeling was realizing that the regime which virtually created our crimes to cover its own faults was treating us like beasts."

The event will include a Q&A session (in English & Korean) after the testimonial to answer your questions about the dangerous defection process and the abysmal human rights situation in North Korea.

All proceeds will go to rescuing six North Korean refugees who are trapped in temporary transit countries and desperately trying to make their way to safety in South Korea.

This event is a part of the 'North Korean Human Rights Refugee Rescue Fund'  and all fees and donations will be used to support and save vulnerable North Korean refugees who are hiding in countries like China, still waiting to be rescued from the risk of repatriation and prison camps.

To learn more about the fundraiser campaign and help spread awareness about NK human rights, please visit our website: 

http://www.nkhrrescuefund.org/

Like and share our facebook or tumblr page:

http://www.facebook.com/NKHRRescueFund

http://nkhrrescuefund.tumblr.com/


Location: Tripti Fair Trade Cafe
Directions: Sinchon Stn. between exit 6-7 walking toward Sogang University about 5 mins walking
Mapo-gu, Nogosan-dong 107-61 Geumyong Bldg. 2 Fl
Number: 02-717-0477

Date: Saturday, April 27, 2013
start: 14:00 // end: 16:00

Entrance Fee: 5,000 KRW

Seating is limited to the first 35 people who RSVP.

Please email: nkhrrescuefund@gmail.com to reserve a seat.

We will be accepting donations during the event and people who donate 15,000 or more will receive a complimentary 'Thank you!' gift from NKHR for showing your support for human rights in North Korea and standing in solidarity with the refugees who have escaped, but are still living in fear of repatriation.

Our gift is a beautiful tumbler decorated by award winning children's artwork depicting the human rights abuses that children must endure in North Korea. The art illustrates the horror of North Korean prison camps, but also reveals hope for a better tomorrow.

NKHR is hosting a movie screening of the groundbreaking Korean movie "Crossing" (w/English subs) and a Q&A session with a North Korean defector (in English & Korean) after the movie to answer your questions about the dangerous defection process and the abysmal human rights situation in North Korea.

"Crossing", directed by Kim Tae-gyun, follows the emotionally overwhelming journey of a North Korean man who illegally leaves the country in a desperate attempt, despite the risks, to find a medicine for his sick wife. The movie portrays the incredible hardships of an average North Korean citizens and the gravity of the risks many defectors are at the risk of and must confront. 

We will also have a Q&A with a North Korean defector following the movie. At this event, we will have Kim Hyuk, who has been kind enough to share his experience and answer questions to better depict the reality of the escape from North Korea.

This event is a part of the 'North Korean Human Rights Refugee Rescue Fund'  and all fees and donations will be used to support and save vulnerable North Korean refugees who are hiding in countries like China, still waiting to be rescued from the risk of repatriation and prison camps.

To learn more about the fundraiser campaign and help spread awareness about NK human rights, please visit our website: 

http://www.nkhrrescuefund.org/ 

Like and share our facebook or tumblr page:

http://www.facebook.com/NKHRRescueFund

http://nkhrrescuefund.tumblr.com/ 


Location: SinBin Sports Pub
Directions: Itaewon Stn. Take exit 3 to street level and walk about 100 meters. Take a right just past the Dunkin Donuts, then keep walking up the hill for about 100 meters.

Number: 010-8827-7379

Date:  Sunday, April 28, 2013
start 14:00 // end: 16:30

Entrance: 0! (Donations appreciated!)

We will be accepting donations during the event and people who donate 20,000 or more will receive a complementary 'Thank you!' gift from NKHR for showing your support for human rights in North Korea and standing in solidarity with the refugees who have escaped, but are still living in fear of repatriation.

Our gift is a beautiful tumbler decorated by award winning children's artwork depicting the human rights abuses that children must endure in North Korea. The art illustrates the horror of North Korean prison camps, but also reveals hope for a better tomorrow.

Since the launch of our NKHR RescueFund Tumbler Campaign, we have received much attention and donations from generous donors who have made significant contributions to our efforts.

We'd like to thank these thoughtful donors and celebrate the success of our campaign by listing them below.

Please note that we had several donations made as Anonymous or without any Names on our Donation Lists from our Fundraising Events. If you've donated but do not see your name on the list, please contact us and we will make the corrections as needed. On the contrary, if you see your name but wish to remain anonymous, please contact us at NKHRrescuefund@gmail.com.

List of Donors:
Bolederas, Sophie
Chung, Won-Seok
Crawford, Aaron
Dionne, Alain
Ferri, Roberto
Fuentes, Ruben
Fursova, Natalia
Gil, Paul
Glendinning, Michael
Glendinning, Lorrene [***Tumbler sent to address in UK, please contact us for any problems with delivery]
Handong Students
Harlan, Aaron
Im, Yoo-Cheol
Jang, Sang-soon
Jeon, Hae-Sol
Jeong, Young-Hak
Ji, Hae
Jo, Won-Il
Kim, Geon-woo
Kim, Ho-Joon
Kim, Jeong-Lim
Kim, Joshua
Kim, Kyung Tae
Kim, Seon-Joo
Kim, Seok-Woo
Kelly, Robyn
Lee, Jooyea
Lee, Maria
Lee, Mipa
Lind, Jennifer
Lowry, Jennifer
Montana, Bridget
Nesbiff-Brown, Justine
Ng, Amy
Park, Hyeon
Park, Hyojin
Park, Sojung
Rose, Joanna
Schellina, Ashley
Shin, Dong Hyuck
Song, Kiyong
Spagnoletti, Simon
Then, Ashleight
Yang, Jessica
Yi, Chloe
Yoon, Dorothy

Thanks to these wonderful donations, we have now raised $2,790.00 (USD)! The donations will be used to help and rescue 6 North Korean defectors at the risk of capture, repatriation, and prison camps, in addition to other dangerous situations whilst in China. 

Again, thank you for your donations! And please feel free to contact us for any further inquiries with regards to the RescueFund Tumbler Campaign and other donations, and any corrections you'd like to make with regards to your name above. 

NKRH Rescue Fund.