Missiles fly; Citizens starve
Since January 2017, North Korea has already launched 11 missiles this year. Most of the news about North Korea these days focuses almost exclusively on those missiles. World media seem to forget about the majority of the people in North Korea, those who still suffer dire food shortages.
By mid-July 2017, North Korea had begun connecting high voltage power lines to the barbed wire fencing that runs along the Tumen and Yalu River. This is a move to further tighten their crackdown on people trying to escape into China.
For decades now, the entire nation of North Korea has been a huge prison.
Below are three news articles reminding us that in North Korea, people are suffering. Even the soldiers face long-term malnutrition and many people are shipped abroad to work as slaves, where they earn foreign currency, which is sent back to the regime.
Electrified fence – Asia Press
North Koreans working as slaves – Radio Free Asia
Soldiers suffering malnutrition – Asia Press
Deepest Condolences for American Student Warmbier
STATEMENT
Deepest Condolences for American Student Warmbier
Mr. Otto Warmbier, the US student released in coma by North Korea last week after 18 months in detention, died on June 19, according to AFP news on June 20, 2017.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Warmbier
LFNKR sincerely prays for the repose of his soul and we offer heartfelt sympathy and condolences to his family and to the US people.
Why one young lady escaped from North Korea
On May 12, 2017, Yong-mee Lee was invited to Tokyo University to present a speech to the students.
Yong-mee Lee is one of the North Korean refugees whom LFNKR (Life Funds for North Korean Refugees) has helped to safely reach Japan and resettle here. We are very happy to see the growing number of resettled North Korean refugees now helping LFNKR. They are actively participating in our activities to raise awareness of the difficulties still faced by the North Korean people. The following speech was presented by Yong-mee Lee.
Another 5 still waiting for help
On February 13, the world was rocked by news that Kim Jong-nam, half-brother of North Korean Leader, Kim Jong-un, had been assassinated using VX, a highly toxic liquid nerve agent, at Kuala Lumpur airport in Malaysia. The Sunday Express (British online newspaper), in its March 12 issue, reported that Kim Jong-un is also thought to have personally ordered the assassination of a British national and an American in retaliation for assisting Thae Yong-ho, formerly North Korea’s deputy ambassador to London, when he defected to the West in August last year.
You have just saved another life
Your donations do make a difference
Your support has enabled us to save a 27-year-old North Korean refugee. On February 23, LFNKR successfully completed the rescue mission to bring Mr. Y.Y. out of China to a safe place.
It has been your generous support and donations that made it possible for him to even dream of freedom.
Five more remaining people still await their chance for rescue. We are thankful for your concern for these people living at risk. If you would like to donate to help these five to reach safety, please click through to our donation page.
With sincere thanks,
Hiroshi Kato, Director of LFNKR
Follow-up of Mr. Choi Myung Bok
Choi’s legal status is still pending
On February 13, LFNKR received the following press release from the Human Rights Center “Memorial” in Russia. Mr. Choi Myung Bok has managed to avoid the deportation. However, his case is still pending a final decision.
LFNKR sincerely hopes that Mr. Choi will be granted refugee status as soon as possible or alternatively be allowed safe passage to a third country of refuge.
URGENT APPEAL FOR MR. CHOI MYUNG-BOK (RUSSIA)
Russia Set to Deport NK Refugee
LFNKR faxed petitioning letters to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in France, the Russian Embassy in Tokyo, and related human rights groups asking to save the life of a North Korean refugee named Choi Myung-bok.
Mr. Choi was recently arrested by police in Russia, and the court’s ruling on his deportation is scheduled to be handed down on 10 February.
Join Our Christmas Campaign to Rescue 6 NK Refugees
On Nov. 26, LFNKR received a rescue request from a group of six North Korean refugees, one of whom is a 4-year-old girl. These people are survivors of the heavy flooding caused by North Korea’s torrential rains in late August. Reportedly, more than 100,000 people lost their homes.
Flooded village in North Korea
One LFNKR member visited the China-North Korea border and took photos of the affected area. The following two photos were taken two days after the flooding.
After their village was completely swept away by the disaster, these six people fled to China, initially searching for food just to survive. Soon afterward they heard about LFNKR and contacted us for help relocating.
For more details, refer to: this CNN article
In this Christmas season, with the spirit of giving and receiving, we gratefully thank you for all the assistance you have sent us in the past. And we invite you to join us in helping these six refugees reach safety.