[Student Reporters] Raising Awareness about the North Korea Crisis

Ha Young Kwen
10th grade
Glen A. Wilson
High School

Last Friday on April 29 the Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) chapter at Glen A. Wilson High School hosted a free film screening of a documentary called "Hiding" after school. The film was about a group of North Korean refugees hiding in China and their attempt to find freedom in a safe country.

North Korea is an oppressive regime ruled by Kim Jong-il. There is no food or freedom. Millions of civilians die from hunger and people are sent to concentration camps if they oppose the government.

North Koreans escape to China with hopes of finding food work and freedom. However living in China is not any better because North Korean refugees have to hide from Chinese officials who send them back to their country to face torture or execution. Also almost all North Korean women and children fall victim to exploitation and sex trafficking in China.

Liberty in North Korea is a non-profit organization that rescues these refugees and resettles them in South Korea or the United States. $2500 is needed to rescue one refugee. The funds provide food medical care shelter transit and other expenses along the way.

The Wilson LiNK chapter was the first chapter to raise over $2500 in the spring semester. A refugee was already rescued thanks to their fundraising efforts. Naomi Du vice president of the LiNK chapter and senior said "My experience this year has been very very amazing. I got to meet so many new passionate and motivated people who do everything they can to support our cause. I just have so much hope for our chapter because from here we can only improve and grow."

LiNK Nomads or representatives from the organization came to the screening to speak about the North Korea refugee crisis sell t-shirts and ask for donations.

Katie Voytastek a LiNK nomad said "We are traveling storytellers. We raise awareness about the human rights crisis going on in North Korea and in China with the refugees. We go around to different schools churches colleges and just anyone who wants to listen. We show them films about the North Korea crisis and get people inspired to do something for this issue."

After the screening Kathie Tang a sophomore said "The screening was really really good. The nomads talked people listened and they made a difference."