Liberty in North Korea

Joseph often says that North Korea is not a land of darkness, merely a land with darkness

When recalling his past, warm childhood memories and gripping hardship are shared in the same breath. His father died of starvation when Joseph was just 12 years old. But the enduring impact of his father’s love, memorialized in the name he gave to Joseph — Kim Kwang Jin, which means “walking forward with brightness” — has become the foundation for Joseph’s life.

In a free North Korea, Joseph dreams of returning to his hometown in Hoeryong, to see if the pear tree his father had planted is still there. It’s a dream that may sound impossible, but he survived a famine and crossed the North Korean border in broad daylight. Overcoming the impossible has become a familiar part of Joseph’s story, one that LiNK is honored to be a part of.

refugee rescues

Joseph reached freedom through LiNK’s very first rescue mission in 2007, and was the first North Korean refugee minor to resettle in the United States.

coming full circle

Joseph has gone on to get his bachelor’s in political science, speak from the TED stage, publish a memoir, and serve as the George W. Bush Institute's Expert-in-Residence. Last year, he also joined LiNK’s board of directors as the first North Korea-born member.

a new chapter

This fall, Joseph has started his master's degree in Public Administration at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He continues to pursue every opportunity to grow as an advocate and increase his capacity to work on this issue.

refugee rescues

Joseph reached freedom through LiNK’s very first rescue mission in 2007, and was the first North Korean refugee minor to resettle in the United States.

coming full circle

a new chapter

This holiday season, support and empower the North Korean people through our life-changing programs

The Advocacy Fellows Program

Raises up the next generation of North Korean leaders and changemakers. Fellows train in the US to become effective storytellers and advocates, then speak to audiences across the country. 81% of people who attended an Advocacy Fellows event said their perspective on North Korea was forever changed!

The Rescue and Resettlement Fund

Helps North Korean refugees, like Joseph, escape safely and begin new lives in freedom. To date, over 1,370 North Korean refugees and their children have been rescued through LiNK’s networks. Over 50% of the women we helped had escaped from forced marriages or being trafficked; and over 500 families have been reunited.

Scholarships

Both in the US and South Korea, support the increasing number of North Koreans who are pursuing higher education. In 2024, over $70,000 in scholarships were awarded to high-achieving students pursuing their undergrad, masters and PhD degrees.

The LiNK English Language Program

Builds the capacity and confidence of North Korean refugees in conversational English, increasing access to career and educational opportunities. To date, over 400 North Korean students have been matched 1:1 with volunteer tutors.

Information Access

Facilitates the research and innovation of ways to empower people inside North Korea with access to outside information and technology. This includes collaborating with recent defectors, creating and curating content for North Korean audiences, and developing new technologies.

give today

17 years ago, I fled North Korea. Today, I’m helping lead the organization that made my escape possible.