Liberty in North Korea

As summer turned to fall in South Korea, the LiNK English Language Program (LELP) had an in-person hangout at Changgyeonggung palace! A hanbok dress code was encouraged ✨ Opportunities like this are vital for our North Korean friends to gain confidence in speaking English! This semester’s North Korean students practiced casual conversation with English language volunteers through self-guided tours, a photo scavenger hunt, and games. After meeting virtually for weeks, everyone had a great time getting to know each other better and use the skills they’ve been learning 🙌

16 more North Korean refugees are starting new lives in freedom, thanks to your generosity and support! 🎉🎉 So far in 2024, we’ve been able to rescue 36 people. That includes 3 children born to North Korean women in China, who are the first children that we’ve been able to bring to South Korea with their moms since the start of the pandemic. They’ll now grow up never knowing life without freedom 🕊️ It’s an honor to do this work alongside YOU. Thank you for making this possible, and celebrating every life changed ❤️

📸 Some snapshots from life and work with the LiNK team! We can’t wait to see everyone at the 20th Anniversary virtual event TOMORROW! Remember to RSVP to save your spot 🙌 When: 10/23 | 4pm PT Where: YouTube Live RSVP: https://lbrtynk.org/uhv6O #northkorea #humanrights #nonprofit #worklife #event #virtualevent #team

Joseph was one of the first North Korean refugees to be rescued by LiNK in 2007. After resettling in the US, he’s gone on to speak from the TED stage, publish a memoir, graduate from college, and work at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. This fall, Joseph is beginning yet another chapter: After five impactful years as the Bush Institute's Expert-in-Residence, Joseph has just started his masters degree program at Harvard Kennedy School. 🎉🎉 All the while, he’s continued to be deeply engaged with LiNK as part of the organization’s board of directors. As we reflect on 20 years, it’s truly a full-circle moment for him to be our first North Korean-born board member. ➡️ For our 20th Anniversary virtual event, LiNK’s CEO, Hannah Song, will be sitting down with Joseph for a casual fireside chat. This is your chance to ask him anything about his life & work on this issue! Comment your questions below 👇 👇👇

We don’t want LiNK to exist in another 20 years. At least, not in its current form, because the North Korean people will have achieved their freedom! Join us on 10/23 for a special virtual event! Celebrate the past 20 years of impact 🎉 and help us renew our vision for what’s to come. RSVP: https://lbrtynk.org/uhv6K

With 2024 marking LiNK’s 20th Anniversary, we were thinking back on the organization’s longest supporters. Of course, it was impossible not to think of Phillipe, who has been a monthly donor for 10 years. “I work at an environmental nonprofit called Plant With Purpose, but I like to think my roots in the nonprofit world go back to my days with LiNK. In 2012, I joined the organization as a Nomad, and road tripped across the country while screening a LiNK documentary and talking to people at schools, churches, and community centers about North Korea. I don’t think I’ve ever 100% shut the door on my time with LiNK. A vision like Liberty in North Korea is a big one, which is why I'm glad there are others who can keep the work going even though my life has gone on to other chapters.” 🎉 Celebrate 20 years of impact, made possible by people like Phillippe and YOU! Join us for a special virtual event on 10/23. RSVP: https://lbrtynk.org/uhv6H

Many of you may recognize Seohyun from when we shared her story back in 2022. This year, she graduated from Columbia with her Master’s degree! “I was born in North Korea and reached freedom in 2014. I could have never imagined that 10 years later, I would be graduating from Columbia University. North Korea is undeniably intertwined with my identity. When I learned about Liberty in North Korea, it was a refreshing surprise to find an organization led by Americans who, despite having no personal ties or direct experience living under the regime, were so deeply committed to addressing this issue. This work has continuously reminded me that change, no matter how daunting, starts with individuals, and I’ve committed my life to being part of that change.” 📝 Seohyun was one of LiNK’s US Scholarship recipients last year. Thank YOU for making it possible to partner with inspiring North Koreans as we make progress on this issue together!

"What would you do if you were 10 times braver?" That was the question posed to Grace Lee three years ago. “I said I’d climb Mt. Everest. I had no experience with mountaineering or any kind of sports. But I wanted to try. Both my parents are from North Korea and I always thought people in North Korea were my family. When I got to know about LiNK, I wanted to raise awareness for this work. My dad escaped the war and my mom escaped after the country was divided. I would not be here today without the help they received during their escape. That’s why I believe this is a cause worth giving my life for. On May 20th, 2024 at 8:14am NPT, I stood on top of Mt. Everest. I’ll climb any mountain. There is no giving up until all have the liberty, freedom, hope, and ability to dream.” 🏔️ How cool is it to see LiNK’s logo on top of Mt. Everest?! We’re so inspired by the people of this movement, who are scaling mountains (literally & figuratively) for the North Korean people.

The North Korean people are changing their country ⚡ But to spur action from the global community, we knew we had to change how the world sees North Korea. Over the past two decades, LiNK has worked with international journalists to transform the way the media reports on North Korea. 📰 We’ve facilitated interviews with resettled North Koreans and shared unique insights from our work—as it turns out, people connect to people! It’s been deeply encouraging to see a broader narrative emerge on North Korea. Thank YOU for standing with us and making this work possible. 🙌 We hope to see you at our 20th Anniversary virtual event! RSVP: https://lbrtynk.org/uhv6B

It’s the third year we’ve been able to partner with the George W. Bush Presidential Center and co-host a four-day workshop for North Korean refugees. 🙌 Eleven participants, all of whom are either current or previous recipients of scholarships from the Bush Institute or LiNK, joined us to hone their skills as activists and leaders. Through sessions with expert speakers, policy leaders, and inspiring members of the refugee community, everyone left feeling equipped and invigorated to advance progress on this issue. 🕊️ This is the next generation of North Korean changemakers! We can’t wait to see where the next year takes them. 🎉