Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) hosted LiNK alumnus and North Korean refugee Justin Kim at an event on March 24, where he addressed LiNK members and other UR students. Kim spoke about his experience growing up in oppressive North Korea, his attempts to flee the country and his resettlement in Rochester. Justin’s presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session by the audience, during which audience members were invited to ask Justin more details and personal stories about his life.
LiNK is a non-political international organization that seeks to rescue and help the resettlement of North Korean refugees, as well as to educate and gain support for humanitarian efforts under the oppressive North Korean political system. UR’s LiNK chapter exists as a subcommittee under Korean American Students’ Association (KASA), which is funded by the Students’ Association (SA).
During the event, Kim discussed his childhood in North Korea, growing up on a potato farm and attending elementary school for only a few years, until he was considered old enough to work on the farm, cook meals in his home and take care of his family. Kim recalled that he was not given the choice or the opportunity to work or to attend school. He was told that he would not be entitled to a formal education, and that his place was on the farm.
“What I learned from my childhood is to obey your government and obey your dictators,” Kim said.
Kim also discussed his multiple failed attempts to escape North Korean oppression and flee to China, the first of which was in 2003. He and friends were able to approach the river that separates North Korea from China, only to turn around after seeing the state of the water.
After a few more attempts, run-ins with police officials, and jail time as punishment for his attempts to escape the country, in September 2005, Kim safely escaped to East China, where he lived for eight years until he could fly safely to John F. Kennedy airport in New York. From there, he told officials that he and his family would “prefer to live somewhere cold,” so he was sent to live in Rochester, where he resides today.
Kim described his first impression of the U.S. saying he was amazed by the fact that “everyone was driving their own car, and no one was working in the field.”
Reflecting back on his journey, Kim encourages students to pursue hard work and courage in order to accomplish major feats. According to Kim, “Your heart can change the world.”
Kaplan is a member
of the class of 2018.
