North Korean Refugees Reaching their Potential: A Mid-Year Recap of 2024
It’s been a busy first half of the year for Liberty in North Korea! In case you missed it, here’s all that we’ve accomplished together with YOU and our North Korean friends.
Many of these major updates have been a long time in the making. This bigger-picture impact is only possible because of the continued support and generosity of this global movement. With every update we share, know that you’re now a part of each of these stories, and you have helped to change lives!
The 2024 Advocacy Fellows: Bella, Grace, and Lily wrapped up their 2.5 months in the US after traveling to 11 cities, speaking at 48 events and meetings, and sharing their stories in person with over a thousand people!
20 North Korean refugees now living in freedom: Of the 20 rescued, 3 families were able to escape together and will also reunite with family in South Korea. One woman will be seeing her sister again after being separated for 25 years!
The LiNK English Language Program: This spring, we had our biggest semester of LELP yet—156 participants, including 78 North Korean students and 78 volunteers. 98% of participants reported that they were satisfied with the program!
12 North Korean students awarded academic scholarships: $77,400 was awarded to help North Koreans studying in the US complete their post-secondary education programs and achieve their academic goals.
Featured Content
- 📰 Read: From our World Refugee Day campaign, experience “The Journey” of North Korean refugees through the eyes of Il-Lyong, Vickey, Haneul, and Doohyun.
- 🎥 Watch: North Korean stories are headed to the Emmys! Beyond Utopia, a documentary following several people as they escape from North Korea, was just nominated for “Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking.” Stream now on Hulu!
- 📝 Learn: Curious about North Korean instant noodles? Or what middle school is like in the most closed-off country in the world? Our North Korean friend (and one of last year’s Summit speakers!) Sunghee is publishing weekly articles about her experiences.
LiNK in the News
- A daring escape by boat: Kang Gu-rin is one of just 15 North Korean refugees who have escaped directly from North Korea and made it to South Korea since 2021. Read more in this recent Washington Post article.
- The Closing of North Korea 2018-2023: Earlier this year, Human Rights Watch published an in-depth report on the devastating impact of pandemic-era restrictions on the North Korean people.
- Where they are now: Last month, Geumhyok, one of our 2018 LiNK Advocacy Fellows, spoke at the U.N. Security Council Meeting on North Korean Human Rights (timestamp 35:50). He’s the second LiNK program alumni to be invited to speak this year!
Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to the North Korean people. We’re excited to see what the second half of 2024 brings!
North Korean Fellows in the United States: Meet the Class of 2025
Please join us in welcoming Hannah and Rose, LiNK’s 2025 Advocacy Fellows!
The Advocacy Fellows program partners with young North Korean defectors to build their skills as effective leaders, storytellers, and agents of change for this issue. Hannah and Rose spent the last month training and preparing with our team in South Korea, and will now be traveling across the US to share their stories!
Join us at a Fellows speaking event near you!
Dallas, TX
September 9th, 6pm
Southern Methodist University | Dallas Hall Room 306 (McCord Auditorium)
3225 University Blvd, Dallas TX 75205
RSVP Here
Guest parking information here
Waco, TX
September 11th, 6pm
Baylor University, Foster Campus | Room 240
1621 S 3rd St, Waco, TX 76706
RSVP Here
Parking: 1521 S Fourth St. Waco,TX 76706 (Google maps or Apple Maps)
Madison, WI
September 16th, 12pm
UW-Madison | Lubar Commons (Room 7200)
975 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706
RSVP here
Evanston, IL
September 20th, 5pm
Northwestern University | Harris Hall 107
1881 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201
RSVP Here
Palo Alto, CA
September 28th, 1:20pm
True North Church
655 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306
RSVP Here
Berkeley, CA
September 29th, 6pm
UC Berkeley | Stephens Lounge at the MLK Student Union
2495 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94720
Parking: Lower Sproul Garage
RSVP Here
Washington, D.C.
October 8th, 1pm ET
The Stimson Center
1211 Connecticut Avenue Northwest Washington, DC 20036
RSVP Here
*Online livestream also available: RSVP Here
Washington, D.C
October 9th, 10:30am
ET Hudson Institute
1201 Pennsylvania Ave N.W. Suite 400 Washington, DC 20004
RSVP Here
Philadelphia, PA
October 13th, 5:30pm
University of Pennsylvania
3401 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
RSVP Here
New York, NY
October 16th, 2025, 12 PM
The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017
RSVP here
Los Angeles, CA
October 21st, 7:30pm
UCLA
Haines Hall Room A2 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Parking available in UCLA Parking Structure 2
RSVP here
Additional details and timely updates will be sent to RSVP’ed guests via email.
Hannah is a 4th year student at Hongik University studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering. While participating in LiNK’s Changemaker Scholarship Program, she worked on developing devices and strategies that increase information access for people inside North Korea. Her goal as an Advocacy Fellow is to grow as a leader and communicator, and facilitate more collaborative work on this issue.
Rose graduated from Hongik University’s Department of Architecture. For her final project, she designed a memorial to honor North Korean human rights and provide comfort to defectors who had to leave their homeland. She drew inspiration from the Holocaust and 9/11 Memorials in the US, and was deeply moved by how such spaces contribute to healing and progress. As an Advocacy Fellow, Rose hopes to continue finding her identity and increase interest in this issue.
