Category Archives: North Korea
Movie ‘Crossing’ Wins High Praise
It also Raises Valid Questions
Based on a true story, the Korean movie “Crossing” took four years to complete. Until the movie was publicly announced in March this year, the entire project was kept under tight security, including all filming done in South Korea, China, and Mongolia. “Crossing” focuses on the reality of life in North Korea and the flood of defectors leaving the country. The secrecy was necessary because there were fears that pro-North Korean elements in South Korea might sabotage the project.
NK Spy a Modern-Day ‘Mata Hari’
Woman Seduces Officials, in Search of Secrets
Recently, the Japanese media has been full of coverage of a “North Korean Mata Hari,” a woman posing as a defector who slept with numerous South Korean military officials in order to gain military information for the North. The woman, Won Jeong Hwa, 34, was reportedly ordered by North Korea’s Public Security Force to spy on defectors, including Hwang Jang-Yop, the high-ranking former Workers’ Party Secretary who defected to South Korea.
Update on NK-China Border Situation
Pass Permit Issuance Suspended in NK
In April, the North Korean government stopped issuing pass permits for North Koreans to enter China. Because of this, many North Koreans who have entered China, seem to be staying there even after their pass permits expire. This means that they are now illegal immigrants – defectors – and if arrested, they will be repatriated. As a matter of fact, according to a local LFNKR staff member in China, many North Korean defectors have already been arrested and sent back.
NK Refugees Tell of Stricter Border Security
June 2008
Since its founding in 1998, LFNKR has been supplying food, clothing, and medicines to needy people in North Korea and to North Korean refugees who have fled into China.During the period from April 28 to May 10, 2008, LFNKR supplied through its local network one ton of rice and 80 first aid kits to needy people in North Korea and also to North Korean defectors hiding in China.
Letters from NK Refugee Kids in Hidden Shelters
June 2008
LFNKR recently received letters from several of our foster children who are currently in first to third grades of elementary school. These children are being supported under LFNKR’s education sponsorship program. In their letters to their foster parents, the children mainly report on their school records.
Bicycling Campaign Across Europe for NK Rights
Call for Volunteer Participants
LFNKR is joining the bicycling campaign hosted by Justice for North Korea. The campaign is to publicize the North Korean human rights issue and bring it to the attention of Europe. To maximize the impact of this campaign, we are calling for as many participants as possible. Those who wish to ride bicycles may do so, but that is not a requirement. Buses will accompany the riders, so it will be possible to ride bicycles on only selected segments of the route (or only one). Some participants may elect to ride the bus only.
U.S. Senator Nixes Ambassador Nominee over NK Human Rights
US State Dept. too Soft on Kim Jong Il?
United States Senator Sam Brownback (R. Kansas), a long-time champion of North Korean refugees and their human rights, gave an impassioned speech from the Senate floor outlining his reasons for putting a hold on the nomination of Kathleen Stephens as ambassador to South Korea.
LFNKR Protests Nagano Olympic Torch Relay
Nagano Japan, April 26:
The Olympic torch relay was carried out under high security as 3,000 policemen stood at high alert. The heavy guard was posted to protect relay runners from intruders throwing raw eggs and tomatoes, but it also kept away interested citizens. Many of those attending were asking “Is this a peace festival? Aren’t the Olympics supposed to be a symbol of peace and friendship?”