Monthly Archives: June 2010
Survivor of NK Starvation Speaks
NK orphan talks about the movie “Crossing”
At the Jan. 29 preview of the movie “Crossing” in Tokyo, one of LFNKR’s foster children joined the preview press conference to talk about her experiences. An orphan, she had lost her parents to starvation in North Korea, but is now a university student in South Korea. LFNKR members are happy see that she has grown into such a fine lady. The movie apparently reminded her of her own childhood.
They Won’t Reap What They Sow
Hopeless Crops
One of LFNKR’s local staff members in China took this picture across the border on June 1, 2010. It shows people planting rice seedlings in Namiyan, North Hamgyong, North Korea. Their clothing indicates that they are not farmers but soldiers and urban women who have been assigned to the rice planting job.
NK Woman with Moxa Marks
Thyroid Illness Common in NK Woman’s Village
One day recently, a 30-year-old woman from North Hamgyong, North Korea unexpectedly appeared at one of LFNKR’s shelters in China requesting medical assistance. She was suffering from hyperthyroidism, with swollen throat, and in her home city had received a Chinese remedy for her illness. That medicine, however, had worsened her symptoms.
Donor Sends Warm, Hand Knitted Clothing
More Gifts from Ms. Warmheart
LFNKR’s foster children in China are excited to receive warm, stylish, hand-knitted caps and mufflers. The wonderful knits continue to arrive from Ms. Warmheart in the US, who personally knits each piece for LFNKR’s foster children.
Visit to Bangkok’s Immigrant Detention Center
Although Thailand is not the final destination for North Korean defectors flowing into this country, this flow is currently the largest in the world, outside of China. The numbers have steadily increased over the past several years. According to the Thai government, about 1,000 North Korean defectors were detained here in 2007. From 2008 and after, the Thai government stopped publicly announcing numbers, but my estimation is about 1,500 in 2008 and a bit higher in 2009.
University in US Recognizes LFNKR Director Noguchi
University Website Mentions Noguchi’s New Book
Arkansas State University posted an article, Thursday June 3rd, on its school news website, Inside ASU, describing the new book written by alumnus Takayuki Noguchi. The book, entitled Escaping with North Korean Defectors, relates his experiences in China as he helped North Korean refugees escape to freedom.