| Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) | |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2004 |
| Type | NGO, Advocacy Group |
| Headquarters | Torrance, CA, United States |
| Key people | Hannah Song, President |
| Website | http://www.linkglobal.org/ |
Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) is a grassroots organization in North America working full-time on the North Korean human rights issue.[1] LiNK is headquartered in Torrance, California, USA with affiliates and chapters all over the world.[1]
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LiNK's mission is "redefining the North Korea crisis through creative storytelling, while providing emergency relief to North Korean refugees and pursuing an end to the human rights crisis."[1]
In 2004, two passionate individuals learned about the human rights and humanitarian crisis in North Korea and felt a burden to share with the rest of the world what had gone unnoticed for too long. Educating a group of college students and young leaders about the crisis, together they formed LiNK with the hope of spreading awareness and effecting real change. The organization quickly grew and became a movement of activists empowered by the stories of refugees and motivated by the urgency of the issue. LiNK's work focuses on awareness through mobilizing the grassroots and telling these stories of hope and survival. LiNK meets with governments, NGOs and institutions to advocate for the North Korean people, while working directly with refugees through a network of shelters in China and Southeast Asia - protecting, educating and assisting them to eventually find freedom and empower them to live new lives.[2]
For 12 years, hundreds of thousands have fled North Korea seeking basic necessities such as food and medicine or even freedom. It is estimated that up to 300,000 are hiding in the underground today. Similar to the Underground Railroad of 19th century America that saved over 30,000 slaves, the modern day underground railroad comprises a network of safe houses and escape routes from North Korea to China, Mongolia, Russia and Southeast Asia. Refugees must traverse over mountains, deserts and other unfriendly terrains and families are frequently separated during the journey in the underground.
Often left behind or lost along the way are North Korean children whose parents cannot return home or have separated or abandoned them. These children end up illegally in China, homeless and without any documentation, left to find a way to survive or to escape to another country where they could be eligible for resettlement or asylum. Without protection or any rights, they are of the most vulnerable and are at high risk of exploitation or abuse.
Of the North Korean refugees who are hiding or have come through China, the majority are women and over 80 percent are trafficked or voluntarily marry Chinese men. Some of these women, however, leave their families for fear of being caught and sent back to North Korea or to escape abuse. Once the North Korean mothers leave, the Chinese fathers often find themselves struggling or unable to provide for their children, leaving these "stateless" children to be cared for by relatives or abandoned. Stateless children lack documentation that prove their citizenship and allow them to receive education, work legally or have basic rights, leaving them at high risk of exploitation or abuse.
Working with partners on the ground, LiNK supports dozens of children with food, shelter, access to education, transportation to school, scholarships and necessary paperwork. LiNK also protects and shelters some of these children who have been abandoned, abused or are at risk of being sold or exploited.
LiNK operates the only major shelter in Southeast Asia for United States-bound North Korean refugees. This shelter - which also assists North Koreans seeking to resettle in South Korea - provides protection, shelter, food, education, counseling and medical care before refugees are transferred to the care of free nations that will resettle them.
Refugees are placed under the care of LiNK staff (or Protection Officers) who live with the refugees and walk them through every step – from accompanying them to required medical exams to ensuring their interviews are on track. Protection Officers also prepare refugees for resettlement by beginning the acculturation process in the shelter. A United States-bound refugee, for example, is taught English and American history, lives in an environment that incorporates aspects of American and Korean culture, and learns different skills to widen their career options once they have resettled.[3]
Economic instability and continuous food insecurity perpetuated by government mismanagement of food aid has left 33% of the population undernourished and hungry; freedoms of speech, press, assembly, association, physical movement and religion are prohibited; and over 200,000 prisoners are overworked, tortured, raped or executed in five political prison camps. In search for food, work and freedom, up to 300,000 North Koreans have fled to neighboring China through a network of shelters and escape routes, similar to the Underground Railroad of 19th century America. In China, over 80% become trafficked and children become orphaned or "stateless" with no paperwork or protection. As refugees must remain in hiding from Chinese authorities who will send them back, North Koreans flee again to Southeast Asia where they seek asylum or resettlement to safe countries such as South Korea or the United States.
In 2010, LiNK launched "TheHundred" campaign to rescue 100 more North Korean refugees hiding in China to LiNK's shelter in Southeast Asia, where they are protected and provided for until they are transferred to the care of free nations that will resettle them.[4]
LiNK's field operations are run by LiNK staff and partners, and funded by individuals, foundations, and private organizations. LiNK does not accept any form of payment from refugees in exchange for protection or assistance.[4][3]
The number of North Korean refugees arriving in third countries for resettlement has steadily increased. In the United States, approximately 100 have been resettled since the passage of the North Korean Human Rights Act in 2004 to early 2010. In South Korea, approximately 17,000 have been resettled from 1994 to 2010. In Europe, approximately 2,902 have been resettled from 1994 to 2008, and an additional 151 are estimated to be in other nations.
Newly resettled North Koreans often find themselves overwhelmed by the abundance of choices and challenges in their new lives. They must relearn many concepts taught in North Korea while discovering how to form opinions, make decisions, become financially independent, learn a new language and continue working through trauma incurred in North Korea and during their escape. Navigating these obstacles in a drastically different culture often inhibits their ability to understand and enjoy freedom.
Since 2004, LiNK has assisted in rescuing and resettling over 40 refugees, working with various governments for processing and helping refugees reach safe nations such as the United States and South Korea.
Through a network of volunteers, partners and community resources, LiNK's "Liberty House" program provides case management services, micro-grants, scholarships, translation, tutoring, mentorship, and rehabilitation and career counseling. LiNK also develops North Koreans with leadership skills through its fellowship and internship programs, which train in advocacy and awareness-building and provide opportunities for defectors to assist fellow North Koreans.[5]
Through LiNK's grassroots "Movement" program, the organization raises knowledge of the North Korea crisis using national awareness tours that present films, stories of refugees and creative media to educate communities of the crisis. LiNK also provides opportunities for local communities to get involved through its Chapter program that allows students, young professionals and religious institutions to continue building awareness, advocacy and funds for LiNK's programs and rescue operations. LiNK also uses social networking platforms to build a support base.[6]