North Korean Christian escapes at second attempt
Luke Randall
A Christian woman from North Korea has successfully escaped from her country five years after her first attempted defection, having spent time in prison and re-education camps.
So Young, whose name has been changed for security reasons, was returned to North Korea, after escaping the first time, by the Chinese authorities. China does not view North Korean defectors as refugees who require protection, but as illegal immigrants to be returned.
The pastor saving lives in North Korea
Milla Ling-Davies
Twenty-four years ago, Kim Seongeun witnessed dozens of dead bodies floating down the Tumen River, which separates North Korea from China. Ever since, he has been committed to helping people escape Kim Jong-un’s totalitarian regime.
Pastor Kim, as he is known, organises these dangerous escapes from his base in Seoul, through a charity and church named Caleb Mission. They have rescued 1,012 people since it began in 2000, taking defectors on an ‘underground railroad’ through Southeast Asia to safety. The very first to be rescued was a woman named Park Esther, a lieutenant in the North Korean Army – who later became Kim’s wife.
Entire North Korean church executed
Iain Taylor
Several dozen North Korean believers have been discovered by the authorities – and immediately executed.
They were gathered for a meeting when security guards broke in and arrested them all. More than 100 members of their families were then sent to political camps, which is a common fear tactic in North Korea, whereby the government extends punishments to the relatives of supposed culprits too. It is believed that information about the time and place of the meeting was deliberately leaked to the authorities.
