VIDEO: North Korea's Change Generation - Sokeel Park
Sokeel Park, LiNK's Director of Research & Strategy, works closely with defectors to build our understanding of North Korea, acts as a media liaison, and develops our strategy. Previously, he worked for the South Korean government, the United Nations, and diplomatic consultancy Independent Diplomat. Through his work, he's developed new insight about the millennial generation in North Korea.
Check out the video below to learn more:
Three key points:
1. North Korean millennials live in a new economic reality.
2. They have more access to outside information than ever before.
3. This generational increasingly shares in non-compliance, disobedience, and even frustration against the regime together.
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.
