Please support our programs

North Korean Immigrants: Crossing Borders, Risking All

Listen:

Never miss a show! @ symbol icon Email Signup Spotify Logo Spotify RSS Feed Apple Podcasts


Yong Kim, Park Kum-Nyo, Col. Kim Bong-Keon, Yonhgsohk Choe in Los Angeles. Source: Alina Potts

Yong Kim, Park Kum-Nyo, Col. Kim Bong-Keon, Yonhgsohk Choe in Los Angeles. Source: Alina Potts

North Korea often appears in the headlines for its militarism and current push to become a global nuclear power. Yet, the legacy of routine human rights abuses connected to the government of Kim Jong II rarely makes news.

North Koreans live in one of the most politically oppressive and economically depressed societies on the globe, according to international human rights groups. Not surprisingly, many of its citizens seek asylum in foreign nations. It is said that some are captured and entered into a torturous repatriation process. Some are believed executed. Some, putting their lives on the line, enter the U.S. illegally seeking refuge and a new life.

On this edition, we hear the stories of two North Koreans who crossed border after border, eventually making their way into the U.S.

Featuring:

Yong Kim, North Korean escapee and Chairman of the North Korean Refugees Association in the U.S.; Park Kum-Nyo, North Korean escapee and restaurant worker; Colonel Kim Bong Keon, retired Korean army officer and President of the Coalition of Korean-American Patriotic Organizations in the U.S.A.; Yohngsohk Choe, Chairman of the External Affairs Coordinating Committee, Coalition of Korean-American Patriotic Organizations in the U.S.A., and translator for Yong Kim.

Senior Producer/Host: Tena Rubio
Making Contact Intern Producer: Alina Potts
Mixing Engineer: Stephanie Welch

For more information:

North Korean Refugees Association in the U.S. – Los Angeles, CA

Coalition of Korean-American Patriotic Organizations in the U.S.A. – Los Angeles, CA

U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea – Washington, DC

North Korea Freedom Coalition – Fairfax, Virgina

Defense Forum Foundation – Virgina

Liberty in North Korea (LiNK)

Human Rights Watch-Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – New York, NY

Amnesty International – New York, NY
Read their “North Korea Report 2005”

Chosun Journal

Yong Kim’s testimony

Seoul Train – Vail, CO
Documentary on the plight of North Koreans (including Yong Kim) as they try to escape into China

Author: Radio Project

Share This Post On