“This is what most of you will know about North Korea: nuclear weapons, the Kim family, and the movie The Interview. But by the end of this presentation, we want you to see it as a place of hope, life, and growth.” On March 24th, traveling interns from the organization LiNK(Liberty in North Korea) stood in front of a packed audience. Lancers from all grades had crowded into the PAC Lobby out of a sense of curiosity or a desire for extra credit, but they left with newly-opened eyes, and the aspirations of their North Korean peers imprinted on their hearts.
During the presentation, the “LiNK nomads” spoke passionately for the North Korean people, emphasizing the need for the next generation to be aware of the human rights situation. Through an impressive video presentation, the team began at the very beginning, explaining how North Korea—the most repressive state in the world—had sprung out of the ashes of World War II and the division of the Korean peninsula. They highlighted the desperate situation of North Koreans today, and showed undercover footage from inside the capital city and a political prison. While speaking on current efforts to educate the North Korean people, the nomads introduced the work of LiNK, a non-profit organization that rescues North Korean refugees, and helps them resettle around the world. By screening video interviews of these defectors and sharing their personal experiences, the speakers brought the distant struggles of the North Korean people to the Saint Francis community with startling clarity. Before closing their presentation, the representatives encouraged students to participate in LiNK’s newest campaign: “To the North Korean People.” Through this online project, anyone can record and send a message of support to those suffering in the world’s most oppressive state.
The lunchtime presentation was organized by “Stand Up! Speak Up!,” the international awareness and student activism club at St. Francis. The event was an extension of their “North Korean Human Rights Awareness campaign,” which took place last November. The club hosted this campaign to raise awareness on the true situation in North Korea. Events included creating a “North Korea Awareness Tree,” the screening of a TED talk by defector Joseph Kim, and a school-wide North Korea Fair. The “North Korea committee,” a smaller group of passionate members, met multiple times during the month to brainstorm events, conduct research about North Korea, and send emails to the Chinese embassy, requesting their support for escaping North Korean defectors. Other topics highlighted by the club this year include the Gaza War, religious/racial prejudice, and animal rights.
