By BRIDGETTE NORRIS
Before watching a documentary on the persecution in North Korea, the members of the Social Justice and Serendipity Club chatted with nomads for the Liberty in North Korea Foundation.
Although the whole documentary was not shown due to lack of time, it shared the stories of refugees and the members of LiNK whom have helped North Koreans escape. The North Korean government permits the citizens from having freedom, both religiously and economically. In an attempt to help the North Koreans, nomads are traveling representatives for LiNK, who volunteer and work with a shelter in Southwest Asia, where refugees are housed and provided with relocation assistance. The refugees in the movie have escaped to the United States, South Korea and China in search of freedom.
“Students should care so we can help. It is hard to imagine how the [North Koreans] feel, to not be able to leave and not have the freedom they deserve,” senior Olusegun Akinwolere said.
When refugees escape to China, they are taking a risk. If they are found, they will be sent back to North Korea and severely punished. Even if one is not found, if North Korea finds out someone has escaped, the entire family may be punished.
“It is not just a Korean or racial issue. It is a human issue and something needs to be done,” nomad Yang-Jin Lee said.
So far, the organization has helped 122 refugees escape. There are currently up to 50 thousand hiding in China. The nomads encouraged students to volunteer in three ways, become a shift talker and share stories of what is happening in North Korea, or to fundraise and donate.
“It inspires me hearing students get involved after watching the documentary and get it and wake up. It is a personal issue to me because half of my family is in North Korea,” Lee said.
For more information, visit http://libertyinnorthkorea.org/
Social Justice meets every Tuesday in Ian Gold’s room, 128.
Serendipity Club meet every other Tuesday in Suzanne Unger’s room, 113.
