Nearly 180 years ago, the term “Underground Railroad” became a part of the American lexicon. For around that time, a clandestine network of well-organized individuals – neither underground nor by railroad – was assisting thousands of other courageous people to flee the intolerable injustice of slavery.
What few Americans know, however, is that the legacy of the American Underground Railroad gives inspiration to myself and others around the world today, notably in my birth country - North Korea.
Over the past decade, large numbers of ordinary men and women have defected from North Korea through northeastern China to escape starvation, disease and a brutal, militaristic regime. Most plan to leave China for freedom in a third country. But the harsh reality of existence for refugees inside of China’s borders marks the most treacherous portion of their journey.
China actively pursues escapees, detaining some, allowing women to be trafficked into prostitution for life for as little as $250, and forcibly repatriating others. In North Korea defection is considered a capital offense. Torture and imprisonment in gulags is practically assured. Now, the situation has become even more pressing as China is working closely with North Korean agents to find and repatriate refugees in preparation for next summer's Olympic Games.
I am a member of the underground railroad which provides safe houses and support to North Korean refugees residing temporarily in China, then fleeing over dangerous terrain, mountain passes, cities, rural villages, swamps and forests to freedom. I have fed more than 1,000 North Korean refugees, and have helped over 100 through China, Laos, Thailand, Mongolia and other countries, and eventually to South Korea for asylum.
During one of these escapes to freedom, I led 32 out of China without detection. On our trip, which included 10,000 miles by foot, vehicle, boat, and train, we eluded the police and soldiers successfully, traveling through several countries. We boarded a train at the Three Northeast Provinces (Northeast China) going past Beijing and Yunnan, and crossing the border of Laos without any visas. We traveled clear across Laos and crossed the border of Thailand, where we eventually arrived at the Embassy of South Korea in Bangkok. Only then were the refugees granted asylum.
I am never alone in these efforts. Sympathetic individuals in American and elsewhere have provided funding and support. Nongovernmental organizations and humanitarian aid workers aid hundreds of other refugees. Heroic individuals have sacrificed their own freedom to help others, including American Steven Kim, a furniture importer from Huntington, N.Y., who was released this September from prison after serving four years for assisting defectors from North Korea.
I myself spent time in the same Chinese prison as Steve Kim for my efforts. On May 9, 2005, I was in the process of assisting 14 North Korean refugees to travel north to Mongolia when I was arrested by the Chinese authorities. Four refugees successfully made their journey to South Korea; however, 10 were arrested. I was sent to a Chinese prison, awaiting seven months until my trial. It took another seven months until a verdict was announced – guilty of the crime of helping illegal immigrants. In total, I spent 15 months imprisoned.
And what became of the 10 refugees who were arrested? To this day I regret their fate and feel guilty that I lived. I believe 7 were returned to North Korea and were either executed or were thrown into a political concentration camp where they will most likely die from long and horrendous torture and mistreatment. Continue >>
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PRAISE GOD! - THIS IS CHRISTIAN SERVICE, AND TAKING UP YOUR CROSS. MY PRAYERS GO WITH YOU AND ALL THAT ARE ASSISTING YOUR GREAT MINISTRY.