Finding Dreams: Donna's Story
Donna felt like her life was wasting away in North Korea. After her uncle was publicly executed for selling electric wires to feed his family, she couldn’t advance in society and was constantly subjected to government inspections.
In pursuit of a free life, she escaped North Korea with her daughter and resettled in the United States.
“It still feels unreal to be treated like a human being in America, and I want to thank everyone who helped me live such a happy life in this great country.”
She’s gone on to start her own business running a sushi kiosk in a university cafeteria. She's done so well at running her business that she’ll soon relocate her kiosk to a more profitable area and begin hiring employees to work for her.
Donna’s daughter, Isabel, is doing wonderfully in school and can already speak fluent English. She enjoys drawing and making crafts. She’s also very fashionable and loves to pick out her own clothes.
In the next five years, she wants to buy a house and hopes to eventually help North Korean defectors.
“Thanks to LiNK, I was saved. And my life, which had once been withering away with no hopes or dreams, now has new buds sprouting with new dreams and a future, and I’m so thankful for that.”
Read about Donna in Marie Claire.
Learn more about Donna's escape from North Korea and help more North Korean refugees reach freedom today.
From North Korea to the Oval Office: A North Korean Defector Advocates for Religious Freedom
This past summer, you may have spotted Ill Yong Joo, a North Korean activist, at the White House meeting with the President. Ill Yong was a LiNK Advocacy Fellow last year! The LiNK Advocacy Fellows program prepares and empowers the next generation of North Korean leaders, advocates, and analysts on this issue. Ill Yong took what he learned during his time at LiNK and traveled to the White House to advocate for the North Korean people. During his trip to the White House, he advocated for the North Korean people’s religious freedom as part of the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom hosted by the U.S. State Department.Interview edited for clarity and length.
What are you doing right now?
Ill Yong: Right now, I’m a senior studying Political Science and International Relations at Korea University. I also work for ‘One King, One Korea’ which is a missionary group for North Koreans. My main goal is to focus on working to improve North Korea’s situation and following the path that God has prepared for me.
You were a LiNK Advocacy Fellow last year.
What did that experience mean to you?
Ill Yong: LiNK AF was like a “booster” for me. I knew that I wanted to do something for my friends in North Korea, but I wasn't sure what or how to take action. And if I did do something, I didn’t know if I could influence or make an impact for the people. But through the Advocacy Fellows program, I became sure of my identity as an advocate for the North Korean people.When I toured the U.S. as an Advocacy Fellow and I saw the way American young people hung onto every word of my story, I realized that I had to continue doing this work. I was sure of it. Because this experience helped me move forward towards this dream, I like to say that being an AF in a word was a “booster” for me.
What was the experience going to the White House like?
Ill Yong: It was an honor and I was grateful for the experience. However, my heart was heavy because I carried the message of the pain of North Koreans.
I was there because of the heartbreaking pain and stories of my people.
It was a pity I could only speak to President Trump for a moment, but I hope that even though it was short, my message moved President Trump's heart. I pray that the work or policy the President carries out will not be for the North Korean regime, but for the lives of the North Korean people.
What message did you want to give to the President?
Ill Yong: I wanted to inform him about the situation of my people being persecuted for religious reasons in North Korea. I wanted him to know that not only my family but many other people, especially Christians, are oppressed for religious reasons.Many people judge North Korea based on only Kim Jong-Un, but I want to tell everyone that within North Korea, the North Korean people want freedom, have achieved some freedom on their own, and now we must empower their restoration of freedom.
Want to learn more about Ill Yong’s journey from a small North Korean farming village to studying to become a human rights lawyer? Watch our latest video interview with him.
