When Geumseong's phone rang on Christmas Eve 2020, he answered nervously. He had made the perilous journey to escape from North to South Korea the previous year, using an international underground network of safe houses and brokers.
Eventually, his mother's voice came through, drenched in emotion: Geumseong, Geumseong, can you see me? After reassuring her he was safe and well, they shared a moment of relief amid their struggle.
Geumseong and his mother, Eunhee, had been separated after escaping North Korea, where they endured a life filled with hardship. After crossing into China, Eunhee faced the harrowing choice of being sold as a bride to facilitate her son's escape. The sacrifice she made for his safety haunts Geumseong, especially now that she is imprisoned in China, facing possible return to North Korea, where she could be tortured or killed.
UN reports have indicated increasing dangers for North Korean defectors sent back, especially women, who often face dire consequences. In a desperate bid to save his mother, Geumseong has reached out to the Chinese government, pleading for compassion and the chance for Eunhee to live a normal life in China.
Despite the distance and challenges, Geumseong’s love and determination to see his mother free are unwavering. He actively engages in campaigns to highlight their plight while battling the restrictions facing North Korean refugees today. As the situation for defectors grows increasingly perilous, Geumseong remains hopeful that he can save Eunhee and reunite with her once more.
