Category Archives: Rescue Operation
Former Street Child Refugee Re-visits Japanese Rescuers
At the end of October, O.C., one of our former North Korean foster children, came to visit us again after 20 years! We met at a Korean restaurant in Tokyo, where we held a party to celebrate the wonderful surprise reunion.
Why No Reports on NK Refugee Rescue Activities
Last month, the United Nations announced the appointment of Elizabeth Salmon as the new UN special rapporteur for North Korean human rights. This signifies official recognition that the North Korean human rights issue has not yet been resolved. Further, many of those familiar with the situation feel that conditions have actually worsened for the people of North Korea.
North Korea rejects to accept NK defectors from China
The coronavirus is still frustrating the restart of our rescue operations.
The full blockade at the China-North Korean border is still going on, and according to Yonhap News, the North Korean government recently buried landmines in a part of the border area.
Statement on Enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law
On June 30, the Hong Kong government enacted and put into force the “Hong Kong National Security Law” that strengthens the central government’s control of Hong Kong. It is now possible to crack down on a wide range of actions that are deemed counter to the Chinese government’s policies. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment. For “serious situations,” the central government has established a new security maintenance agency in Hong Kong that will be directly involved in compulsory investigation, enabling trials and enforcement of sentences in mainland China.
Mother and Daughter Seek Our Help
LFNKR has received a request from a North Korean woman, HU (age 28) and her daughter KH (age 7).
The woman was sold to a Chinese man who, it turned out, was a gambling addict. Every time he lost heavily or ran out of money, he would bring men home and force her to pay off his gambling debts with sex.
Here is what she says:
“My Chinese husband abused me from the very beginning, always reminding me that I am a Korean woman, so I have no nationality in China. I was constantly watched even after I gave birth to my daughter. For her sake, I swallowed my bitter tears and bore the years of hell, but I cannot take this any longer. I desperately want to escape and go to South Korea with my daughter. Please help us.”
Helping them out of their current situation will require a minimum of USD $5,000.
Please help us rescue this mother and her daughter.
Flash update: 3 orphans reach safety
On December 24, the 3 North Korean orphans have been accepted by a neutral third country where they can safely await for the trip to South Korea, their final destination.
As with most refugees fleeing oppression, these three also faced several unexpected delays along the way, but fortunately made it all the way to the safe haven.
We at LFNKR wish to extend our most sincere thanks for all the help and support you have provided in this case as well as all many other refugees you helped over the years.
3 North Korean Orphans Need Our Help
Our organization, LFNKR, has just received a request for help from three orphans who, until recently, had been living on the street. These children area girl, age 14, and two boys, ages 10 and 8. Currently, they are hiding in China to avoid being found and arrested by Chinese police. We need to lead them out to a safe country as soon as possible.
Below is the request we received from the girl, who speaks for her small group. Here is her story.
This year’s rescue operations
At the annual meeting of LFNKR held on October 14, details of this organization’s rescue operations were reported as follows.
During the past year, LFNKR received requests for rescue from a total of 27 North Korean refugees, 12 being mothers accompanied by children, and 15 being unaccompanied women. LFNKR-led operations resulted in the rescue of 8 adults (5 mothers with their children and 3 unaccompanied women). The rescue operations cost more than USD $20,000. LFNKR is extremely grateful for the donations we received to help these refugees.