NORTH KOREANS ESCAPEES

MYEONGHWA SON

Son Myeong-hwa recalls her father's last wish: "If you get to go to the South, you've got to carry my bones with you and bury me where I was born." Her father, a South Korean soldier from Gimhae, was forced to work in North Korea's coal mines and logging factories for decades, dying of cancer without ever seeing his homeland again.

Defecting in 2005, Son took eight years to fulfill her father's dying wish. She arranged for his remains to be exhumed and smuggled out of North Korea. After a year-long protest, she secured his burial in South Korea’s national cemetery in 2015, believing she had honored her father's memory. However, this act came at a high cost: her siblings in North Korea were imprisoned in political camps as punishment.
Now leading the Korean War POW Family Association, Son advocates for recognition and fair treatment of around 110 families of South Korean soldiers who never returned. She and her lawyers have filed a constitutional court case, challenging the South Korean government’s neglect of unrepatriated soldiers. Many, like Son, seek compensation for unpaid wages, but face numerous barriers due to their uncertain status

Son passionately argues that without action, the sacrifices of these soldiers and their families will be forgotten. "If we can't recover our fathers' honor," she says, "the horrendous lives of the prisoners of war and their children will be all forgotten."

JOURNEY TO FREEDOM

North Koreans who have escaped their country are in danger.

Every year since the start of the pandemic, thousands of North Koreans have risked their lives trying to escape in search of a better home. If caught trying to escape, North Koreans can face extremely harsh punishment, including detention in political prison camps, forced labour, brutal beatings, forced abortions, and torture. Today, women make up around 80% of North Korean escapees. Many never reach safety and are trapped in the sex industry or sold as brides in China. North Korean women and girls are at great risk of sexual and gender-based violence in transit.

The 5,000 km journey across 5 countries starts in Northern China, stretches down through Southeast Asia, and ends only once North Korean refugees are processed to safely travel to their destination. Throughout the journey, they are in constant danger of being arrested and returned to North Korea.

NORTH KOREANS IN SOUTH KOREA

For escapees who arrive in South Korea, adjusting to a vastly different society presents its own set of challenges. Many escapees struggle with feelings of alienation and discrimination. South Korea's fast-paced, highly competitive society can be daunting for those who have lived in North Korea's regimented and state-controlled environment. Despite government support programs, escapees often find it hard to secure stable employment and face a high risk of poverty. Mental health issues such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common, stemming from their traumatic experiences and the uncertainty of building new lives.

A NEW DARK AGES IN NORTH KOREA

On January 23, 2020, North Korea became the first country in the world to shut its borders in response to COVID-19. The government implemented overbroad, excessive, and unnecessary new restrictions, including a standing “shoot on sight” order at the northern border. They installed new fences and guard posts and applied strict rule enforcement, which sealed the country.

As a result, the number of North Korean escapees safely reaching South Korea has significantly declined in recent years. In 2019, around 1,047 escapees arrived in South Korea. However, this number dropped sharply to just 229 in 2020, and 63 in 2021. In 2022, only 67 made it to South Korea. These figures represent some of the lowest numbers in decades.

At the same time, Chinese police have forcibly returned more than 670 North Koreans since North Korea closed its northern border in early 2020. The returnees, mostly women, are at grave risk of being detained in forced labour camps and face torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearance, and execution.

Kyu Li Kim

Kyu Li Kim grew up in a family of six in North Korea during the 1990s, a time when famine was rampant, and food was scarce. Her family often did not know when they would have their next meal. During the height of the famine, she lost her mother in a tragic fishing accident. At just 18, Kyu Li was left to care for her father and younger sister. Despite her best efforts, it became increasingly difficult to provide for them.

At the age of 20, she made the difficult decision to escape North Korea but was sold to a Chinese man. Fortunately, he treated her kindly, and within a year, she was able to send support to her family back home. In 1998, her 15-year-old sister, Cheol-ok, was also sold to a much older Chinese man, more than 30 years her senior. Although Kyu Li tried to stop the sale, she was powerless, and the two lost contact for 23 years.

Kyu Li eventually made her way to England, where she built a new life. In 2020, after years of searching, she finally found her sister and began working to bring her and her daughter to safety in England. However, the COVID-19 pandemic made their escape nearly impossible. China's strict zero-COVID policy resulted in tighter border controls and widespread lockdowns, while North Korea issued "shoot on sight" orders for anyone attempting to cross the border, making any movement extremely dangerous.

In a final attempt in March 2023, Cheol-ok set out to reunite with her sister, leaving home on April 15. Tragically, just two hours into the journey, she was captured by Chinese authorities. On October 9, Kyu Li received devastating news: the Chinese government had forcibly repatriated more than 500 North Korean escapees, including her sister, Cheol-ok. Now, Kyu Li is a tireless advocate, working to secure her sister’s release and raise awareness about the plight of North Korean escapees.