Humans of North Korea: This is freedom
I got foreign media from my dad. He was a member of the Korean Workers Party and many of his friends were security agents. They confiscated a lot of foreign media and gave it to my dad and he would bring it home.
Some of my most vivid memories are getting together with my friends at someone’s house, shutting off all the lights, and secretly watching South Korean dramas. It was exhilarating. If you heard anything outside, you’d get startled and think,
“Did they come to arrest us? Are we going to jail now?” It was thrilling doing things we knew we shouldn’t do.
Everything portrayed in the South Korean dramas was so clean and everyone seemed so wealthy. I used to think “Wow, there is such a world out there.” We were taught that South Korea was a poor country but I wondered, “Why can’t we live like that?”
I wanted to wear clothes from the dramas but I couldn’t find them anywhere. We used to get a lot of used clothes from the market down by the harbor. You either find used clothes or fabric and have a tailor make the outfit for you. After three or four days of wearing a new style, everyone would be wearing the same thing because it looked so cool.
My designs were very popular. If I started wearing something new, there was always someone who would wear similarly styled clothes because the number of South Korean dramas that inspired us was so limited. Girls would ask me where I got my clothes and if I wanted to exchange outfits. Bartering was very common and sometimes they’d offer their more expensive clothes in exchange for mine.
But you had to look out for the Inspection Unit. If they caught you wearing jeans and a hoodie, they’d cut the bottom of the jeans with scissors. My sister and brother were older than me so their friends were sometimes in the Inspection Unit. If I knew the person, I would just tell them, “I’ll go change right now” or “I’ll give you these jeans but please don’t cut the bottoms off” and I would go get it back from them later.
The regime doesn’t want people wearing those kinds of clothes. I think it’s because things like jeans symbolize freedom. North Korean society is so restricted that if they allowed jeans there would be no end to what people would want to wear.
Even now in South Korea, every time I put on a pair of jeans I think, “This is freedom.”
- Jihyun Kang escaped North Korea in 2009. She now works in the fashion industry in Seoul.
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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!
