North Korean Art Imitating Life: A New Spring in the Paekhak Plain

A new hit drama was released in North Korea earlier this year. Unlike the typical propaganda that paints life in North Korea as a utopian paradise, this new (N)K-drama tells a different tale. The series depicts the tensions that exist between the people and corrupt officials, strife within families, and even goes so far as to portray a North Korean regime with many flaws. 

“The show captivated its audience because, above all else, it was true to life,” according to an article in a North Korean monthly magazine. But if the story struck a chord because it was “true to life,” then were the other shows that North Korea produced not true to life? Some analysts say that this series, named “A New Spring in the Paekhak Plain,” is the regime’s bending to the new tastes of its people, as more of them are being exposed to foreign media. This is true, but what this series reveals is the power of truth. The light of truth often shines brighter in a world full of lies. 

We have sampled all manner of North Korean propaganda from children’s cartoons to movies. In any of these forms, we have never seen a North Korean official painted in a negative light. In our podcast series, “The Demystified Zone,” we spoke in detail about the propagandized cartoons the regime has put out for younger audiences. In the cartoon, the regime is heavy handed in its references to North Korea’s view of its own place in global politics. The cartoon’s protagonists, the squirrels and hedgehogs, live in a utopian society called Flower Hill where its citizens are peaceloving and hard working. Outside forces such as the weasels and wolves constantly plot to destroy the good hearted people of Flower Hill. The show even goes so far as to depict the bear that swore to protect Flower Hill, but was too drunk to fulfill his vows, a direct reference to the USSR’s collapse. 

The regime has been relentless to maintain its image within North Korea as pristine as it possibly can. Like in “Squirrel and Hedgehog,” any hardship in the lives of North Koreans is a product of external forces that seek to destroy the North Korean people. Often, the moral of North Korean propaganda is that the people must rise up and fight against such overwhelming external forces. To our knowledge, there has never been a direct reference to the famine or any of the subsequent food shortages that have taken place in North Korea’s recent history. 

While the regime is quick to paint its place in global politics, it has been reticent to show the realities of life inside North Korea. Propaganda often portrays life in North Korea with tables full of choice foods, and harmonious relationships between citizens and government officials. This is why North Korea’s new drama is so different. 

Another possible motivator behind North Korea’s new drama is that, since the famine of the late ‘90s, illegal foreign media consumption has become commonplace. North Koreans regularly consume media that has been smuggled in from China on USB drives. Apparently, much like the rest of the world, North Koreans cannot get enough of Korean dramas and movies. Survey data from North Korean defectors in South Korea show the dramatic rise in foreign media consumption in North Korea. 

Last year, the organization NK News reported, “more than 83% of escapees who left the DPRK between 2016 and 2020 said they consumed foreign media, such as music and TV shows, up from 67.6% of respondents who left between 2006 and 2010.”

This could explain the reasons why North Korea felt compelled to detail the realities of the country. Perhaps the regime wanted to hold the attention of its own people. But we think the show’s resonance points to something more fundamental about the human heart. It shows that the North Korean people are starving for truth. We know about the Great North Korean Famine, which took place between 1995 and 1998. But a more subtle famine has taken place in North Korea for decades: a famine for truth. 

“During the famine, the regime maintained that North Korea was paradise on earth. ”

Through troubled times, North Korea kept telling its people that everything was ok. During the famine, the regime maintained that North Korea was paradise on earth. North Korea’s new drama does not tell the entire truth. It does not reproduce the abject misery of many people’s lives, but rather it grazes truth. Even this must feel refreshing to the people. 

Furthermore, North Korea has spent the last seven decades eradicating the Gospel from inside its borders. If the Bible is true, and if Jesus is truly the son of God as I believe, then there is an even greater famine in North Korea, a famine for the word of God, the truth that our hearts ultimately long for.

Top Headlines From North Korea - August 2025

North Korean defector swims for 10 hours to freedom

Maritime border between North and South Korea

1. A North Korean defector swam across the Northern Limit Line (maritime border) tied to styrofoam and requested asylum upon rescue. 

2. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported the rescue took about 10 hours, ending around 4 a.m. local time. 

3. The swim occurred near Ganghwa Island, a frequent but perilous defection route. 

4. This was the second recorded defection under the Lee Jae-Myung administration

Sources: SCMP, JoongAng Daily

95 year old North Korean POW’s dying wish is to return home

Photo: Committee for the Repatriation of Ahn Hak-sop

• Ahn Hak-sop, imprisoned in South Korea for over 40 years after being captured in the Korean War, announced plans to walk across the militarized border to return home. 

• At a press briefing, he emphasised that he refuses to be buried in what he termed a “colonial state,” indicating deep ideological conviction. 

• His planned return underscores rare and powerful cases of emotional and ideological bonds to the North persisting even after decades in the South.

Source: NK News, CNN

North Korea Disclosed Names and Faces of Soldiers who died Fighting for Russia

• Kim was photographed emotionally pinning medals on soldiers' portraits and comforting their families.

• In a speech, he expressed "heartache and regret" for being unable to protect the soldiers.

• He pledged to build a memorial museum and monument in Pyongyang to commemorate their sacrifice.

Sources: The Korea Herald, CNN

IKEA and Starbucks knockoff stores seen in North Korea

• According to the account of tourists, Western-style shops, imitating brands like IKEA and Starbucks, are emerging for Pyongyang's upper class.

• Modern technology is common in the capital, with residents using mobile apps and QR codes for daily transactions.

• Despite sanctions, imitation products are prevalent, prompting brands to address intellectual property infringement.

Silence - A Potential Turning Point Between North and South Korea

A view of North Korea from Ganghwa Peace Observatory in South Korea

When our team visited South Korea this June, we stood near the Demilitarized Zone (“DMZ”) and heard firsthand the unsettling, and strange noises that North Korea projected across the border. The haunting sounds that pierced the air, which had been replaying for several months, left an indelible impression on us. Local residents also described the broadcasts with unnerving clarity: as Ahn Hyo-chul put it, “sometimes sounding like a siren, sometimes like a ghost, sometimes like animal cries. Our grandchildren say it sounds like wolves from North Korea,” while another resident, Kim Wan-shik, likened them to “car brakes tearing noises and metal grinding,” calling the sound “extremely irritating,” especially at night, which has left many residents exhausted.

For decades, the DMZ has been more than a physical boundary — it has served as a psychological battlefield. Through high-powered loudspeakers positioned along the border, both Koreas waged a long-standing campaign of sound, filled with propaganda, music and political messages. Earlier this month, South Korea quietly dismantled approximately 20 of its front-line loudspeaker systems along the 250km border, and North Korea reportedly followed suit without a formal agreement or coordinated announcement. This unexpected silence has drawn international attention and raised questions about its meaning for inter-Korean relations going forward.

LOUD SPEAKERS THAT CHANGED LIVES

Historically, South Korea’s broadcasts included K-pop music, uncensored international news, and appeals to North Korean soldiers and citizens – content that directly contradicted the propaganda of the North. These broadcasts were suspended in 2018 following the Panmunjom Declaration but were revived in 2024 as relations deteriorated.

Though often dismissed by North Korea as mere noise, these broadcasts in fact held far greater weight for those within earshot. For North Koreans living or stationed near the border, the messages coming through the loudspeakers were sometimes their first and only exposure to a world beyond the regime’s control. Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye once described these broadcasts as “the most effective form of psychological warfare,” crediting them with encouraging defections and challenging the ideological walls erected by the North Korean regime. Defectors who fled their homeland have backed up this statement. The content, though simple on the surface, often planted the seeds of doubt in listeners, encouraging them to question and, eventually, to act. For instance, at least two North Korean soldiers had reportedly defected in 2017 after hearing the broadcasts and were drawn, in part, by the unsettling realization that the truth they had known was incomplete, or worse, constructed.

A QUIET THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES

Photo: South Korea’s Defence Ministry

The decision to take down propaganda loudspeakers followed South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s directive to restore parts of the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement to reduce border tensions, which had been suspended amid rising tensions in prior years. According to South Korea's Ministry of National Defense, the dismantling was completed by August 6, and was intended to signal a willingness to rebuild trust and revive dialogue with Pyongyang.

While South Korea acted unilaterally, multiple reports from media outlets indicated that North Korean soldiers were also seen removing speakers near the DMZ around the same time. Despite these peaceful appearances, North Korea’s regime has publicly rejected any suggestion of reciprocation or thaw in relations. In a strongly-worded statement issued on August 13, Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and a key voice on inter-Korean affairs, stated unequivocally that North Korea had “never removed loudspeakers installed on the border area and are not willing to remove them.” She criticized Seoul’s dismantling of its own broadcasts as a misleading gesture, labelling it an attempt to manipulate public sentiment. Kim further dismissed South Korea’s interpretation of any such action as a “pipedream,” and rebuffed calls for dialogue by stressing that any speculation regarding engagement with Seoul or Washington is without foundation.

It may be short lived, but the silence along parts of the heavily militarized border is a welcomed break. Even though the North has rejected any notion of reconciliation, the South’s dismantling of loudspeakers along the Korean border has brought a long-waited feeling of peace to a region defined by tension and psychological warfare.

His Mercy is More: Helping a North Korean Find Grace

The North Koreans who come to our Elim Community classes often appear as if they have their lives together. Unlike those who come to Elim House, they are not in desperate situations. Some have retired and are living comfortably. But every once in a while, we are reminded of the weight that each carries from their dangerous journey to freedom. After one of our Seoul English classes this year, we were reminded of how vital these classes are in facilitating time together with others who have walked similar paths.

We took the class to a nearby cafe so that we could get to know them, and, more importantly, so that they could get to know each other. As our students conversed, our staff heard a loud gasp from a corner of their shared table. Two refugees, both in tears, had found out that they were from the same home town.

One of the refugees in this conversation, Michael, said to the other, “I feel so guilty for the things that I did to survive.” His new friend said, “You don’t have to feel guilty, you did what you had to do to survive.”

Even when enraptured by the serendipity of the moment, Michael could not shake his guilt. North Koreans are like glaciers. We can see very little above the surface, but we know that there is a larger story underneath what’s visible. Michael agreed to tell us more about his story provided we change his name and conceal some of the details of his life.

Surviving North Korea

He was in the army when the realities of the famine swept across the country. Michael had recently been discharged with a friend and did odds and ends to survive. He realized that he could not make a living in North Korea in such circumstances. He tried to convince his family to leave the country with him but they refused. So he convinced his friend from the army to go with him.

After crossing into China, Michael and his friend were able to find small jobs. Michael’s friend tried to get his two children into China but was unsuccessful. So his friend decided to go back to North Korea and reunite with his children. Michael heard that his friend made it back to North Korea but was taken away to a prison camp. This happened over 20 years ago and Michael does not know if he ever made it out of prison. Many North Koreans die in brutal prison camps. Some of those who are repatriated are executed.

Encountering Jesus

In our short interview, it was clear that Michael felt an immense amount of guilt. Even as he spoke of how he met his wife and started to attend church, he inserted a statement of self loathing. He met his wife in China. She was a believer and he was not. He spoke of his first experience at church in China, “It was my first experience in a worship service. I couldn’t understand what they were talking about. My wife had already accepted Jesus Christ at the time and I hadn’t. After coming to South Korea, I didn’t go to church for more than 20 years. It’s been only two years since I started going. I’m repenting a lot.”

Michael attends English class because his children have been learning English and he wants to practice with them. He attends class with his wife. Like many North Korean men, he is stoic on the outside. But this quickly melts away when he’s around his wife. Unlike many North Korean men, Michael is outwardly affectionate and loving toward her.

Our ministry to North Koreans is much more than free classes. Gathering times throughout the week is a way to encourage relationships and community. As they find their community, we hope that they are able to reassure one another the way that Michael and the North Korean neighbor he met in class did.

“You don’t have to feel guilty, you did what you had to do to survive.” This statement holds much more weight from someone who also went through the hell of the famine. As we gain trust and build relationships with these traumatized people, it is our hope that we can point them to Christ, the wounded Savior, and the only one who can heal their deep wounds.

Children Left Behind in China by North Korean Defector Women

“Kang No-eul” is a North Korean defector in Squid Game 3, who escapes to South Korea, only to learn through a broker that the child she was forced to leave behind may still be in China. While Squid Game is a television drama, Kang’s story and the anguish of separation echo a painful reality faced by many North Korean women under our care at Crossing Borders. These mothers, who fled desperate situations in China, often had no choice but to leave their children behind. 

Now safe in South Korea – free from the constant fear of being trafficked, arrested or forcibly repatriated to North Korea, where they would likely face imprisonment, torture or worse – they cling to fleeting connections with their children through video calls and text messages over WeChat, with no realistic hope of reunion. Each time they speak about their children, the sorrow is palpable, often bringing about tears.

THE PLIGHT OF STATELESS CHILDREN

Children of North Korean refugees at a retreat with a counselor from Crossing Borders

While exact figures are difficult to confirm, research suggests there may be up to 30,000 children born to North Korean mothers and Chinese men across China. Many of these children grow up stateless, without a hukou (household registration). Out of fear of exposing their undocumented mothers and risking her repatriation, many parents avoid registering their child. However, without hukou, they effectively have no legal existence – excluded from access to basic services such as education, healthcare and formal employment. 

In a society where access to public services requires ID authentication tied to one’s hukou, including mobile phone registration, e-payments and purchasing train tickets through China’s real-name system, this creates enormous barriers to daily life and increases the risk of long-term poverty and exploitation. This statelessness is thus more than a bureaucratic oversight, but a life sentence of exclusion. Human Rights Watch documents how families are forced to bribe officials, falsify paperwork or register children under another person’s hukou, as these half-North Korean, half-Chinese children live under constant threat of exposure in China. 

COMPETITION AND EXCLUSION IN SCHOOLS

China’s education system is notoriously competitive, and access is strictly regulated through hukou. Even Chinese children with rural or out-of-district hukou face pressure to secure places in top schools, often requiring local residential status. For stateless children of North Korean descent, the barriers are nearly impossible to overcome. Without the means to escape that status, they are excluded from schooling altogether. 

Even for those few who manage to leave for South Korea and reunite with their mothers, the challenges do not end. They face significant language and cultural barriers. Having grown up in China, many struggle with Korean fluency and adapting to South Korean society. They may fall behind academically due to gaps in schooling, face bullying or isolation due to their ethnic background and encounter mental health challenges tied to trauma, identity and belonging. Discrimination against North Korean defectors remains a persistent issue, and integration can be especially difficult for adolescents who have already endured years of instability.

ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS IN SOUTH KOREA

Despite the many hardships, there are small but meaningful efforts providing hope and support for these children. In South Korea, a number of alternative schools have been established specifically to meet the needs of North Korean defector youth, including those who grew up stateless or separated from their families in China.

Yeomyung School, founded in 2004 in Seoul, is one such example. It serves middle and high school-aged students who have defected from North Korea or were born to defectors. The school provides a trauma-informed education that includes academic instruction, emotional support and life skills training. Many students describe it as the first place where they have felt safe and seen. Another example is Heavenly Dream School, founded in 2003 in Seongnam, which offers a holistic, Christian-based education focused on leadership development and personal growth. Built into a megachurch, the school emphasizes community living, with teachers residing alongside students in dormitories to create a stable, family-like environment. Over 90 percent of its graduates go on to higher education – a remarkable achievement given the challenges they have faced.

A visit to Yeomyung School where Dan was able to reconnect with a refugee

We’ve had a chance to visit both of these schools (see the amazing reunification Dan had with a refugee at Yeomyung School) and we were so impressed by the abundant love and care they poured out towards children who otherwise would also feel a similar statelessness even after arriving in South Korea. 

The plight of stateless children left behind in China by North Korean defector women is one of the most heartbreaking consequences of forced migration and political oppression. These children are caught between borders, systems and national policies that deny them identity, protection and opportunity. Yet even in this bleak landscape, hope persists. With continued advocacy, support and compassion, more of these children can find a way out of the shadows and into a future defined not by abandonment, but by opportunity and care.

Remembering and Visiting North Korean Men in Prison

Our work is rooted in a specific mission: helping and sustaining North Korean refugee women and their children. But on a recent trip to South Korea, one of our staffers was given a rare opportunity to see a side of the refugee experience we don’t often encounter—incarcerated North Korean refugee men in South Korea.

Our visit that day was to Daejeon Prison, the largest correctional facility in South Korea, holding an estimated 6,000 inmates. Our staffer was accompanying “Pastor Y”, a man who regularly traveled all over South Korea to visit eight or nine prisons throughout South Korea and meet with North Korean refugee men. Before entering, they stopped at a local store to buy several boxes of Choco-Pies—a small gesture of humanity for men living in a world of stark realities.

Daejeon Correctional Facility

Inside, we learned, life is contained and isolating. Men are housed four to six per room, and these other faces become their entire world for the length of their sentences. A small lifeline of grace is provided through another ministry, which provides North Korean inmates with what prisoners jokingly call "payday"—a monthly stipend of 30,000 to 50,000 KRW (about $25-$40) for snacks and toiletries. It’s enough to create excitement for recipients and their cell mates, who often receive the fringe benefits of this monthly gift.

In a small, cluttered conference room, our staffer and Pastor Y spent the next two hours meeting with three men, each carrying the weight of a journey that didn't end when they reached freedom.

Incarcerated North Korean Refugee Men

The first was a tall, remorseful man who took what ended up being a harrowing 20-day trek through China, Laos and Thailand (referred to as the “10,000 kilometer journey” which speaks to the total distance traveled from North Korea to South Korea) with his wife several years before. They had built a stable life in South Korea, with the addition of two sons, now 8 and 10. He found steady work and a community of North Korean soccer league. But one night, after a game and dinner, a single, regrettable decision to try drugs with the group led to a police bust. He now spends his days in jail, holding onto letters from his wife, sons, and even his former boss, who has promised to rehire him upon his release in October 2026. Every weekend, his wife and boys make the six-hour round trip to see him. He told us he begs them not to come, pained by the burden he has placed on them, but they never fail to show up—a testament to a love that survives prison walls.

Next, we met a young man of 20. He had arrived in South Korea at 14 with his sister, following their parents who had already defected and settled in South Korea. He spoke without a trace of a North Korean accent, a kid who seemed to have assimilated well. But he was serving a five-year sentence for acting as a drug mule. By other North Korean contacts, he had been sent to Cambodia to bring back a package, and the police were waiting for him the moment he landed at Incheon. He seemed like a good kid caught in a terrible situation, and he expressed his thankfulness that he was caught on his first attempt and had never used the drugs himself. The prison worker who monitored us remarked to all of us in that room that if he hadn't been stopped then, his life surely would have been ruined.

Finally, an older man of 45 sat before us, a deep chip on his shoulder. He defected first with the hopes of bringing the rest of his family once he had settled in South Korea. This man believes his wife and daughter may still be alive in North Korea, but he has no way of knowing. After arriving in the South, he paid the same broker who helped him escape to get a phone and money to his family. The broker vanished, and so did his hope. He spoke of the prejudice he faced for his North Korean heritage, which led to fights and, ultimately, his incarceration. He was preparing to serve an extra 90 days to work off the debt from damages caused in a bar fight—a debt paid at a rate of 100,000 KRW per day of added time. He mentioned he was looking forward to the work of a lawyer who promised a retrial, and Pastor Y’s concern was immediate. Recognizing the hallmarks of a scam, the pastor gently steered him away, providing him with a list of reputable churches and other ministries in South Korea, as trustworthy resources for  looking into the validity of a retrial and even attempting to get information about his wife and daughter.

“I was in prison and you came to visit me. ”

— Matthew 25:36b (ESV)

As we met with each man, Pastor Y actively took notes including writing down the names and numbers of the men’s wives and children. It sounded like he had tried contacting one of the wives after his last visit three months ago without success, but he would try again. It was amazing to see that this ministry doesn't end at the prison gate. He visits the families, offers support to the wives, and helps care for the children left behind. It was effectively a family ministry that reached far beyond these incarcerated North Korean men. The choices these men made, whether out of desperation, foolishness, or trauma, created ripple effects that directly impact the women and children we serve. The trip was a reminder that the journey to freedom is complex, and for some, the greatest challenges begin long after they’ve crossed the border. While Crossing Borders is experienced in caring for women in difficult circumstances, it was eye opening to see firsthand a lesser known population of refugees, grappling with a different kind of imprisonment, and the quiet, crucial work being done to hold their families together.

Top Headlines From North Korea - July 2025

Six North Koreans with 'strong desire' to go back repatriated by South Korea

Source: South Korean Ministry of Unification, 2025

• South Korea repatriated six North Koreans who drifted into South Korean waters; all consistently wished to return home.

• Failed efforts to coordinate repatriation persisted for months between South and North Korea. This return is the first under South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who campaigned on improving inter-Korean ties.

• Upon their return to North Korea, the six individuals will face extensive interrogation, according to Nam Sung-wook, the former head of the Korea National Strategy Institute think tank.

  Sources: BBC, AP

North Korea bars foreigners from newly opened 'world class' beach resort days after opening

Aerial view of Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area

• Just days after opening with significant fanfare and hosting its "first foreign guest," the Russian Foreign Minister, North Korea's official tourism site announced the massive resort for 20,000 people was "temporarily not receiving foreign tourists."

• The move dims economic prospects for the resort and Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, which was a major national construction project intended to attract much-needed foreign currency.

• Analysts cited in the article speculate the ban could be due to a Russian media report that suggested the "local tourists" seen during the official visit were staged, causing embarrassment for the regime.

• The story provides a glimpse into the unpredictability of state policy and its direct impact on both the country's economic ambitions and the image it projects to the world.

  Sources: BBC, Independent.co.uk

Six American arrested in South Korea for trying to float rice and bibles to North Korea

Heavily guarded Gwanghwa area of South Korea that borders North Korea

• South Korean police detained six U.S. citizens attempting to float 1,300 plastic bottles filled with rice, $1 bills, USB drives, and Bibles up the coast to North Korea.

• Since taking office earlier in June, South Korean President Lee suspended anti-North Korea loudspeaker broadcasts on the border and asked activists in the South to stop launching helium balloons with leaflets.

• North Korea drove South Korean border residents to tears and pleading with their local government officials over a mixture of ghastly and “evil” sounds pointed towards the south over the past several months.

  Sources: NBC News, Reuters, NPR

Justice Department charges North Koreans posing as IT contractors using stolen credentials

• The Justice Department charged four North Koreans who posed as IT workers using stolen credentials, scamming U.S. companies out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• The reports show a U.S. company unknowingly hired North Korean operative Jong Pong Ju, believing him to be Malaysian IT worker "Bryan Cho."

• Authorities said that it is not only for financial gain for the North Koreans, but access is used to attempt to steal U.S. secrets as well.

Source: ABC News

Kim Jong-un’s Japanese Mother: Ko Yong-hui

Ko Yong-hui, the late mother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, remains one of the most mysterious figures in the regime’s history. Despite her intimate role in shaping the current leadership, she has been systematically erased from North Korea’s official narrative. Ko’s story is not just a biographical curiosity, but a political liability.

THE WOMAN BEHIND THE SUPREME LEADER

Born in 1952 in Osaka’s Tsuruhashi district (the largest Korean neighborhood in Japan), Ko was part of Japan’s Korean diaspora. Her father, Ko Gyo-taek, worked in a military factory supporting Japan’s war effort and later fled to North Korea to escape prosecution for smuggling. This background, far from revolutionary, posed a political challenge for a regime built on anti-Japanese sentiment and the glorification of the “Paektu bloodline” – a mythic lineage that traces back to Kim Il-sung and his guerilla resistance against Japanese rule. Ko’s Japanese ties would therefore place her in the lowest caste according to North Korea's rigid songbun caste system.

Together with her father, Ko moved to North Korea at the tender age of 10 as part of a repatriation program known as the “Paradise on Earth” campaign that lured approximately 93,340 ethnic Korean residents in Japan (Zainichi Koreans) to North Korea between 1959 and 1984. By Ko’s early twenties, she had joined the Mansudae Art Troupe and caught the attention of Kim Jong-il, who bestowed her the title of “Merited Actress” in 1972. She bore him three illegitimate children: Kim Jong-chul (their eldest son, rumored to be apolitical and more interested in pop music than leadership, was said to have a “soft personality” and “feminine traits,” reportedly requiring hormone treatment to appear more masculine), Kim Jong-un and Kim Yo-jong (their youngest daughter more often known as the most dangerous woman in North Korea). 

Generated illustration of Ko, Kim Jong-un and Kim Yo-jong

Though Ko lived with Kim Jong-il for nearly three decades, she was never publicly acknowledged as his wife and rarely appeared in state media due to her birth heritage. Sadly, her final years were marked by illness and exile. Diagnosed with breast cancer in the late 1990s, she delayed treatment due to succession tensions. By the time she sought medical care in Paris in 2004, it was too late, and she died at the age of 51. Her grave on Mount Taesong remains one of the few public acknowledgements of her existence.

SECRETS OF THE MOTHER THAT SHAKES NORTH KOREA’S MYTH

Throughout the years, there have been careful attempts to elevate Ko’s status of revolutionary matriarch, akin to North Korea’s founding father Kim Il-sung’s first wife, Kim Jong-suk. For instance, North Korea began quietly promoting Ko in 2002, granting her the title “Respected Mother” – though notably, her name was never mentioned in official materials. Another glimpse into her limited cult of personality is a secret document published in 2002 that praised Ko as “the most faithful of the faithful, endlessly loyal to the Beloved and Respected comrade Supreme Commander,” and even featured a song hailing her: 

The Mother is Young

Looking up to the bright smile of Mother,

In my heart, ten millions buds flower,

For Commander-Father’s health,

Be always, Mother, in eternal youth.

Although the campaign was briefly paused following her death in 2004, Pyongyang revived it in 2011 with the release of the documentary Mother of Great Songun Korea, timed with Kim Jong-un’s confirmed succession, portraying Ko as a guiding maternal figure. However, the film conspicuously omitted her name, birthplace and family history to bury her past. By 2015, the regime began recalling and destroying copies of the documentary, fearing that her Japanese heritage and unofficial status as Kim Jong-il’s consort would undermine the legitimacy of Kim Jong-un’s succession.

Yet, Ko’s influence on Kim Jong-un was profound. According to journalist Yoji Gomi, Ko taught the young Kim Japanese songs and language, and her sister, Ko Yong-suk – who later defected to the U.S. – helped raise him in Switzerland. To this day, Ko Yong-hui’s legacy continues to live on in subtle ways, including in Kim Jong-un’s outreach this May to the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (a group known as Chongyron that acts as the DPRK’s de facto embassy in Tokyo), during its 70th anniversary celebrations. In his message, Kim referred to them as “our compatriots resident in Japan” and warmly invited them to visit their “homeland,” signalling a personal connection that echoes his mother’s roots.

World Refugee Sunday - June 15 and 22, 2025

World Refugee Sunday is a time for the global Church to remember and respond to the plight of millions who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, persecution, or hardship.

At Crossing Borders, this day carries special meaning. For more than two decades, we have served North Korean refugees who have escaped one of the most closed and oppressive regimes in the world. Their journeys are often marked by unimaginable trauma—fleeing starvation, surviving human trafficking, and living in fear of repatriation. World Refugee Sunday, which takes place on June 15 and 22, 2025, invites faithful believers to remember these stories not as distant headlines but as deeply human experiences that echo throughout Scripture.

God’s heart is with the sojourner. In Deuteronomy, he commands his people to love the foreigner, “for you were foreigners in Egypt.” In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds us that when we welcome the stranger, we welcome Him. The work of Crossing Borders is rooted in these biblical truths. We not only meet the physical needs of North Korean refugees but also point them toward a God who sees them, loves them, and calls them by name. As Psalm 9:9 declares, “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” This is the hope we carry to the people we serve—that even in displacement and danger, they are not forgotten by God.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”

— Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV)

As a tool to help our friends and partners pray more specifically and compassionately, Crossing Borders has created a free seven-day prayer guide for North Korea and North Korean refugees. called “Praying for North Korea.” We invite you to download it (or request physical copies) and join us in lifting up those who have been displaced and are searching for hope.

Top Headlines From North Korea - June 2025

A North Korean Defector Fights for a New Life in MMA

Image source: Tapology (2025)

Jang Jung-hyuk, a North Korean defector who, after fleeing hunger and abuse, has found a new purpose and identity as a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter in South Korea.

• Jang endured a difficult childhood in North Korea, leaving his home province of Ryanggang to escape poverty before eventually making his way to South Korea.

• In his new life, he discovered MMA and has dedicated himself to the sport, seeing the fighting cage as a place where he can finally compete on his own terms and prove his mettle based on skill and heart alone.

• Rather than being defined by his past as a defector, Jang aims to be known simply as a formidable fighter, using his journey as motivation in his pursuit of MMA glory.

• His story illustrates the diverse paths defectors take to rebuild their lives and process their past trauma, finding strength and community in unexpected places.

Sources:

• NK News

• Sherdog (MMA Fight Database)

The North Korean Governor Defector Preparing to Lead His Home Province

North Korean defector Ji Seong-ho is serving as the governor of his native North Hamgyong Province remotely from an office in Seoul. Appointed by the South Korean government, which maintains a "government-in-exile" for the North's five provinces, Ji's role is to draft a blueprint for a future he hopes will one day come.

• From a government complex in Seoul, Ji and his team of civil servants are creating plans for the potential reunification of Korea, focusing on how to transition his home province from authoritarian rule to a democratic society.

• Ji, who endured a grueling journey to escape North Korea and later became a prominent human rights advocate and lawmaker in the South, envisions an economically vibrant future for the region, including turning its port cities into tourist hubs.

• A core part of his vision is establishing a defector-led financial system, including a bank, to empower escapees in the South and enable them to lead reconstruction efforts in the North should the opportunity arise.

• This role symbolizes a long-term strategy that looks beyond current tensions, focusing on the practical and human aspects of what a unified Korea might look like on a local level.

Sources:

• NK News

• The Korea Times (Ji Seong-ho's background):

US NGO Ready to Resume Tuberculosis Aid to North Korea

A US-based humanitarian organization, the Eugene Bell Foundation, announced this month that it is prepared to resume providing crucial medical aid for tuberculosis patients in North Korea, regardless of political tensions. The NGO, which suspended its work during the pandemic, is highlighting the urgent need to separate life-saving healthcare from geopolitics.

• The foundation, a primary international organization working to treat tuberculosis in the DPRK, stressed that medical aid demands a more sensitive, apolitical approach and that it has worked through past periods of heightened tensions.

• North Korea faces a significant public health challenge with an estimated 135,000 cases of tuberculosis, according to the World Health Organization's 2024 report.

• From 2008 to 2019, the Eugene Bell Foundation supported a dozen treatment centers and treated over 8,000 patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis before strict COVID-19 border controls forced a halt to their operations.

• This move comes as other international bodies, like UNICEF, have also recently delivered vaccines to the country, signaling a slow potential reopening for humanitarian work.

Sources:

• NK News

• Voice of America (VOA)

The Battle for a National Sport: North Korea's UNESCO Bid for Taekwondo Reignites Rivalry

A cultural rivalry has been rekindled as North Korea pursues UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for its version of taekwondo. The move has put pressure on Seoul to advance its own bid, fearing it could lose the primary cultural claim to taekwondo, which is biw globally recognized as Korea's national sport.

• Pyongyang formally submitted its application to UNESCO, with a decision expected by 2026. This has spurred a task force in South Korea to urge its government to accelerate its own long-stalled application.

• This is not the first time the two Koreas have sought separate UNESCO recognition for a shared tradition; a similar situation occurred with ssireum, or traditional Korean wrestling, which resulted in an unprecedented joint inscription.

• The two Koreas have distinct international federations for the martial art: the South-led World Taekwondo, which is the Olympic style, and the North-tied International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), which emphasizes more traditional martial arts elements.

• The rivalry over taekwondo's heritage is a poignant example of the shared, yet deeply divided, culture of the Korean Peninsula.

Sources:

• Korea Times

• The Korea Herald: (This 2024 article provides background on the joint ssireum listing.)

God's Goodness Breaks Through Annie's Tough Exterior

Annie arrived at Elim House this spring after two consecutive suicide attempts failed. Her social worker happened to call after the second attempt, which she took as a sign to get help.

Recently, Annie admitted to having suicidal thoughts again, contemplating jumping from the balcony of our women’s shelter. She expressed feelings of hopelessness, mentioning her two daughters: one in North Korea and another daughter in China. Annie feels tremendous guilt and anxiety over her daughter in North Korea. She recounts a difficult pregnancy where she nearly miscarried at eight months. After having a dream about a snake dying, she woke up to find that she was bleeding and rushed to a hospital that was able to save her baby. However, she now feels responsible for her daughter's seemingly unfortunate life, believing she brought her into the world to suffer.

Annie was divorced when she defected from North Korea and had to leave her daughter with her own father. After her father passed away, no relatives would take her daughter in, and the child was forced to live on the streets as a "Kotjebi" (a term for North Korean street children).

Although her daughter is now married with a child of her own, contact has been severed for three years. The last Annie heard, a phone call with her led to her daughter being monitored, and her son-in-law was imprisoned as a result. Feeling immense guilt that she may have caused this misfortune by "saving" her daughter at birth, Annie has sought out fortune-tellers and participated in "gut" (a shamanistic ritual) in an attempt to help her.

As for her daughter in China, Annie’s sense is this daughter only views her as a source of money, giving her an unwillingness to contact her.

Currently, Annie suffers from physical ailments, including difficulty breathing, trouble sleeping, and swollen tonsils. She also mentioned having a strained relationship with her son-in-law's sister who lives in South Korea, after lending her money that was never repaid. Annie describes herself as a very trusting person due to her affectionate nature, which has led to her being frequently scammed and having trouble managing her finances.

Annie has frequent and extreme mood swings along with dizziness due to stress. Despite her tears and stating that she has no reason to live, she has also mentioned wanting to prepare for getting a commercial driver's license. She tried Pilates for the first time with a volunteer from the US and said she enjoyed getting “a good workout that made her sweat a lot!”

The Elim House summer retreat took place this past week, which Annie attended. She often was alone, sitting by herself off to the side or in the back, intentionally not wanting to engage with anyone. Her tough exterior and firm expressions mask her sensitive side and keep others at a distance. But as the retreat came to a close, the women shared their reflections from their time together. Annie shared that though she wasn’t religious, hearing about God’s goodness and grace, not just from our staff and volunteers, but from other refugees in attendance, made her curious to learn more about this God.

The Sufficiency of Grace for North Koreans

North Korean refugees in an Elim Community Pilates class.

Since 2022 Elim Community has served North Korean refugees in South Korea with free classes. Through this program, Crossing Borders has been able to form relationships with many North Koreans. Unlike Elim House, our safehouse for North Korean women in need, Elim Community participants are usually independent and not in urgent need of help. Because of their relative stability, it presents a different challenge in ministering to their hearts and showing them a need for a savior. 

Tea time

After most Elim Community classes, we host a “tea time,” which is a time for North Koreans to engage in community with one another at a nearby coffee shop. The many hours spent with refugees have revealed the unique challenges in sharing the gospel with North Koreans. Many are consumed with guilt as they forge new lives in South Korea. And it has reminded us that we must always be mindful of North Korean culture, as we present Jesus to them. 

In a recent tea time, a North Korean woman said that she has a hard time believing in Jesus and that he is like a Genie in a bottle to her. She wants to go to church but she feels that it is hypocritical for her to go because of her sinful behavior during the other six days of the week. Our staff enthusiastically shared with her that awareness of one’s own sin is the first step in understanding our need for a savior.

lack of community

A 2023 study by the Korean Hana Foundation showed that only 19.2 percent of North Koreans participated in social activities on weekends, which included religious activities. Pastors and Christian workers in South Korea have told us that, though some North Koreans are interested in church, many find it hard to connect to South Koreans at church, which has become a deterrent for regular attendance. 

a culture of shame

Furthermore, North Koreans have shared with us that they are wracked with the guilt of the things they did in North Korea to survive during the famine, which lasted between 1995 and 1998. It was a time marked by utter desperation. In her book, “Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea,” Barbara Demick describes the famine as a “killer.” 

“Yet another gratuitous cruelty; the killer targets the most innocent, the people who would never steal food, lie, cheat, break the law, or betray a friend.”

It is said that the good people died first during the famine. We try to counsel North Koreans who feel this guilt by sharing with them that only Jesus can help them escape the shame of sin. They are truly a people who need to hear about the forbearance of our loving father in Romans 2:4, that God's kindness is meant to lead [them] to repentance. This is a hard pill to swallow for many, but to some, it is like water in a drought. 

North Korea has a hyper-guilt-driven culture in which citizens must attend weekly self criticism sessions where they must confess errant thoughts against the regime. They are harshly punished for any breach against their government and their social status is permanently affected by their behavior. North Koreans come from a culture of self loathing. Considering this cultural backdrop, it makes sense that the woman from Elim Community said that she didn’t want to go to church because of her sins. 

The Gospel is Enough

This strikes at the core of the gospel and Jesus’ mission on earth. To have our transgressions wiped away, we must have someone powerful enough to forgive them. 1 John 1:9 (ESV) says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Sin causes people to feel a sense of guilt and shame. Those who have been confronted by the mercy and grace of our lord are able to “live as a people who are free” 1 Peter 2:16 (ESV). Our challenge is to present this truth in a way that North Koreans in their culture can understand and receive it. 

We are thankful that the gospel is enough. Please continue to pray for us as we share the good news of the gospel with our North Korean refugees.

Top Headlines from North Korea - May 2025

Pyongyang Housing: Cityscape Changes as Major Project Nears Completion

Reports from early May indicate North Korea is making a significant push to complete the final stages of its ambitious 50,000-home construction project in Pyongyang. This initiative, part of a five-year plan, aims to transform parts of the capital's residential landscape.

• State media highlighted that construction for 10,000 apartments in the Hwasong area was in full swing.

• The project, launched in 2021, has seen several phases of new housing blocks completed in districts like Songhwa and Hwasong.

• This massive undertaking is presented as a key achievement aimed at improving citizens' living standards in the capital.

• While showcasing development, the focus for residents will be on the quality, accessibility, and actual living conditions in these new complexes.

• The completion of such large-scale projects often coincides with significant state anniversaries or events.

Source:

• Korea JoongAng Daily: 

• Daily NK

Families in North Korea Stretch Budgets as School Uniform Costs Bite

A report from late in the specified period (around May 19th) shed light on the economic pressures faced by ordinary North Korean families, particularly concerning the costs of school uniforms for their children. This highlights everyday financial challenges.

• Families are reportedly finding it necessary to spend their own money, sometimes significant portions of their income (likened to the cost of rice), on school uniforms.

• This situation arises because state-supplied uniforms are often insufficient in quantity or quality.

• Ensuring children have proper attire for school becomes a priority, adding to household financial burdens.

• The issue underscores the gap between official provisions and the actual daily needs and expenses of the populace.

• Such reports offer a grassroots view of economic conditions and how citizens cope with them.

Source:

• Daily NK

Pyongyang Women Reportedly Paying to Avoid Mandatory Farm Work

An intriguing report from around May 19, 2025, indicates that some married women in Pyongyang are paying significant sums of money to gain exemptions from mandatory agricultural labor mobilizations. This practice highlights social and economic dynamics within the capital.

• Married women in Pyongyang, known as "housewives," are typically required to participate in state-organized farming support during busy agricultural seasons.

• Some are reportedly paying officials around $300 to be excused from these mobilizations, a substantial amount considering average incomes.

• This suggests a desire to avoid strenuous labor and potentially a way for officials to supplement their income.

• The ability to pay for such exemptions likely reflects a degree of economic stratification even within the constraints of North Korean society.

• This phenomenon offers a glimpse into the informal ways citizens navigate state requirements and the subtle interplay of money and obligation.

Source:

• Daily NK English

• Asia Press

North Korea's Spring Trade Fair Opens with Noticeable Lack of Foreign Participants

Three Revolutions Exhibition, source: Koryo Tours (North Korea)

North Korea held its 26th Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair in mid-May 2025, the first since before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, observations from the event noted a conspicuous absence of foreign businesses and participants compared to pre-pandemic years.

• The trade fair, which opened around May 13th at the Three Revolutions Exhibition House, traditionally aimed to attract foreign investment and showcase goods.

• Reports indicated that the fair primarily featured North Korean domestic products, with very few international vendors present.

• This contrasts sharply with previous fairs where Chinese and other foreign companies often had a significant presence.

• The reduced foreign participation may reflect ongoing border restrictions, the impact of international sanctions, or a cautious approach from international businesses.

• The focus on domestic goods could also be a sign of the country emphasizing self-reliance, while still signaling an openness to eventual international economic engagement.

Source:

• NK News

North Korean Defectors Sold Out for Profit in China

Escaping North Korea is already a high-risk gamble, but what is even more chilling is the rise of fake helpers – individuals in China who claim to assist defectors in reaching South Korea but ultimately turn them over to law enforcement in exchange for financial rewards.

AN EXPANDING DECEPTIVE SCHEME

Cut off from the outside world and with no means of navigating their escape alone, North Korean defectors have no choice but to entrust their fate to brokers and guides. As they undertake the arduous path across China, these intermediaries become their lifeline. Yet, it is no secret that some brokers exploit this desperation, deceiving defectors with promises of “newly-developed routes” or other false assurances to extort money. While such scams have existed for years, the troubling reality is that they are becoming increasingly widespread. What was once an isolated problem has now become a lucrative business for some, with even local Chinese residents openly acknowledging the practice as a way to earn quick money. Many justify their actions by claiming they are abiding by the law — framing their deception as not just legal but even righteous in the eyes of the authorities.

According to DailyNK, some Chinese drivers, initially posing as confidants, betray their passengers for monetary gains. Defectors move in a relay system along the modern day “underground railroad”, switching vehicles at checkpoint to evade surveillance – originally designed to reduce the risk of capture. However, this strategy has now become perilous, as drivers reporting defectors can earn “double profits” by collecting both transportation fees and government rewards for turning them in. Moreover, even drivers trying to help defectors face their own perils, as those caught assisting escapees can be turned in for rewards as well. One reported case involved two North Korean defectors, one in their 50s and the other in their 30s, travelling across China from Jilin province. Their first driver secretly reported them, but authorities waited until they switched vehicles in Hunan province to detain not only the defectors but also their second driver, who had unknowingly become entangled in the unfolding trap.

THE ROLE OF CHONSUNJOKS

Many perpetrators are Chosunjoks — ethnic Koreans in China who share deep ancestral ties with defectors — or they disguise themselves as such to gain trust by exploiting this perceived kinship as distant relatives. A common method to target defectors, the majority of whom are women, is through fraudulent matchmaking scams. These defectors are promised a future with wealthy Chinese bachelors, often described as “tall, rich and handsome.” To further convince these young women, the perpetrators posing as sympathetic allies emphasize the deep cultural importance of marriage for women in Chosun society, portraying it as an essential path to stability and acceptance. After charging exorbitant fees, they hand their victims to authorities.

Another alarming case involved a 50-year-old Chosunjok man in Jilin province who has been approaching defectors, pretending to be a trusted escape facilitator, offering transportation and shelter, only to later report them to the police. According to a defector, escaping to South Korea now requires at least 2 million won (approximately $1,500 USD), a sum many defectors cannot afford. Desperate, they fall for this middleman’s false claim of anonymous donations funding their passage. He reportedly spoke with remarkable sincerity, and his insistence on hosting only two or three people at a time for security reasons make his scheme dangerously convincing. The number of victims remains unknown but is far more than just one or two. In mid-March, three female defectors stayed with this man, hoping to reach South Korea. One day, two stepped outside and met a Chinese neighbor, who warned them that police had recently raided their residence and arrested the third defector, a young woman in her 20s, who was left behind. Her family in China confirms she is now imprisoned and awaiting repatriation to North Korea, where an uncertain fate awaits her. It is chilling to know that this fraudulent intermediary has been deceiving defectors since December 2024 and remains active, luring new victims into his trap.

Sadly, the growth of these betrayal-for-profit schemes is likely linked to China’s high unemployment rates. With economic hardships affecting many, some individuals – particularly in Korean-speaking regions in China – see defectors as an easy source for quick financial gains.

Disappearing North Korean Restaurants in China

North Korean restaurants in China have long been a unique cultural and culinary presence. These establishments, run by North Korean staff under strict supervision, offer more than just a meal – they provide a rare, albeit tightly controlled dining experience in the exclusive world of the DPRK. However, in recent years these restaurants have been disappearing. Once thriving across major Chinese cities, North Korean restaurants are now shutting their doors at an alarming rate due to economic downturns, shifting consumer habits and wider geopolitical factors.

NORTH KOREAN RESTAURANTS RISE AMIDST CHINA’S K-CULTURE BOOM

A popular North Korean Restaurant in Incheon, South Korea

With the global rise of Korean culture (K-culture) by way of K-pop and K-drama, North Korean restaurants have also indirectly benefitted. Many Chinese nationals, under the historical and political influence of China’s long-standing alliance with Pyongyang and its diplomatic relationship with Seoul, often refer to Korea as “Chosun,” without distinguishing between the North and South. This broad perception has allowed North Korean restaurants to thrive alongside other Korean establishments, as local diners enjoy the cuisine without necessarily differentiating its origins. This blending of identities has, consequently, helped North Korean restaurants maintain customer interest. 

Historically, North Korean restaurants found a welcoming environment in China’s northeastern cities, particularly in Jilin, Liaoning and Shandong province, where Chosunjok (ethnic Korean Chinese) communities have long thrived. These close-knit communities established numerous Korean restaurants, creating a familiar culinary landscape that allowed North Korean eateries to blend in more easily. 

THE FALL

However, as economic conditions worsened and competition increased, North Korean restaurants struggled to maintain their presence in China. Over half of these establishments in Liaoning province have already shut down, with many in the city of Dandong ceasing operations entirely. This includes notable restaurants like Ryugyong Sikdang and Taebosan, whose staff and managers have returned to North Korea. These businesses, often dependent on North Korean trading companies for financial support, have found it increasingly difficult to sustain the high costs of rent and operations.

Even larger North Korean venues like Songdowon and Koryo Restaurant, despite being backed by powerful North Korean agencies and employing North Korean staff who serve and perform, are operating under immense financial strain. A key factor in their struggle to attract Chinese customers is their significantly higher pricing. For instance, a meal for four at one of these restaurants typically costs between 700 and 800 RMB (approximately $97 to $110 USD), which is substantially more expensive than the average dining cost for four in China, generally ranging from 80 to 320 RMB (approximately $11 to $44 USD). This makes local dining alternatives considerably more appealing as economic conditions in both North Korea and China have worsened.

Myung-tae (Alaskan Pollock) fish is a popular dish among North Koreans

Chosunjok-owned restaurants also adapted by embracing modern dining trends, for example, some even reinvented their menus with special dishes inspired by Netflix’s highly popular show, Culinary Class Wars, led by celebrity chef Paik Jong-won and Michelin-starred chef Ahn Sung-jae. To further enhance the atmosphere, these restaurants play upbeat K-pop hits, letting diners savor their meals while enjoying tracks like Bruno Mars and Rosé’s APT. This fresh, immersive approach keeps them ahead of the game, setting them apart from the rigidly traditional North Korean restaurants.

NORTH KOREAN RESTAURANTS FIND REFUGE IN MONGOLIA

Bucking the trend in China, North Korean restaurant expansion has recently extended to Mongolia. It is reported that the Pekkhwa Culture and Art Center in Ulaanbaatar, formerly known as the Pyongyang Baek Hwa Restaurant, has reopened after years of closure, featuring revamped decor while maintaining elements from its previous iteration. While the center's ownership remains uncertain, its operations are managed by a team of about a dozen individuals, with North Koreans overseeing service roles and Mongolians handling management duties.

This move suggests that North Korean businesses are seeking alternative markets to sustain their overseas operations, despite ongoing UN sanctions that prohibit DPRK nationals from earning income abroad. It is no surprise that North Korea sees Mongolia as a natural choice for expanding its restaurant presence. Ulaanbaatar has historically welcomed North Korean laborers in construction and the cashmere industry, creating a foundation of familiarity and cooperation between the two nations. With existing networks and past trade relations, North Korean businesses can continue operating in Mongolia with relative ease despite international restrictions.

Hanawon City Tour of Seoul for North Korean Refugees

It is a scene that I will remember for a long time. As new refugees in South Korea – all women – and the volunteers of the event parted in tears as the bus took the refugees back to Hanawon. It was as if they were together for a whole week, but in reality it was only a few hours. 

North Korean refugees board a bus headed back to Hanawon after their city tour.

I have had the privilege of meeting North Korean refugees on many stages of their journey to freedom. Many stand out in my mind, but in March, I got to witness something special. It was the first day that North Koreans arriving in South Korea were allowed out of their cocoon at Hanawon. The event was hosted by a church in Seoul. Each refugee was assigned a “buddy,” or older South Korean woman from the host church.

The Resettlement Process

In their first months in South Korea, North Koreans are not afforded the freedom to explore their new country. They must pass a strict interview process conducted by South Korean intelligence to ensure they are not spies. Then they go to Hanawon, which is a facility where they learn the basics of South Korean life. They learn about democracy, receive job training, and are given comprehensive medical care in this 12-week program. During this crash course on how to live in the free world, they are gradually immersed into “regular” life on days like the one I witnessed. 

As we waited for the groups to return from their day out learning how to use public transportation, going to a grocery store, and venturing into other shops, our team from Crossing Borders went to a nearby cafe. After spending a few minutes at this cafe, we saw some women from this refugee group enter the same cafe. The business specialized in dessert waffles and the women seemed intrigued at the menu. 

After their time out, we all gathered at the host church. I was given the opportunity to speak to this group to introduce them to Crossing Borders and the services we provide in South Korea. But before I got into the details, I told them a story about how, just that morning, my colleague and I got on the wrong bus and were confused about paying for our ride. I assured them that it is okay to not know everything in their new country and that, eventually, they’ll be pros.

Returning to Hanawon

The church group was kind enough to give each woman gifts for their new lives in South Korea: pots and pans they can use in their new apartments. As officials and pastors stood and gave brief remarks, refugees listened intently. Many held hands with their South Korean guides. It had the feel of parents teaching their children how to live on their own.

When it was time for them to go back to Hanawon, last goodbyes were said, accompanied by warm embraces and tears. It is against Hanawon policy for any of the volunteers to exchange contact information with the women they met. So for many, that would be the last time they would see their new friends. It made me think about the hard journey ahead for the refugee women. They were all filled with hopes, fears, and dreams, and these emotions were palpable to all who were there.

I prayed that they would remember this church, its volunteers and Crossing Borders if and when they faced hardship. It is simply not possible for those present at the event or even for the South Korean government to cover all of the needs of North Korean refugees resettling in South Korea. But God calls us to care for the vulnerable and love the lost. Whether that is a few days, a few months or many years in their new home, we hope to share the hope of Jesus to all North Korean refugees.

Top Headlines from North Korea - April 2025

FORMER NORTH KOREAN COMMANDO WHO TRIED TO KILL SK PRESIDENT DIES AS PASTOR

• Kim Shin-jo, one of only two survivors from a 31-member North Korean commando team sent to assassinate South Korea's president in 1968, died in early April 2025.

• After being captured following the failed raid, Kim eventually became a South Korean citizen and later a Protestant pastor in the Seoul area.

• His life represented a dramatic transformation, moving from being a trained agent of the North Korean regime to a religious figure in the South.

• His story often resurfaced during periods of inter-Korean tension, highlighting the human consequences of the division and conflict.

Source:  US News, AP News

INFLATION CRISIS IN NORTH KOREA

Outdoor market in South Korea selling dried seafood.

• Like the rest of the world, North Korea is grappling with soaring inflation, with prices of essential goods like rice, corn and cooking oil increasing by over 20 percent.

• Informal markets, known as jangmadang, play a crucial role in the economy, but they are also affected by the price hikes. Many citizens rely on these markets for daily necessities, and the rising costs have made basic goods increasingly unaffordable.

• Since people's state-determined wages have remained stagnant, many families are to cut back on expenses, with some resorting to cheaper alternatives like corn porridge to survive.

• Although the authorities have launched aggressive measures to control price increases, targeting merchants who arbitrarily raise prices, citizens are frustrated with the government’s approach, which focuses on punishment rather than addressing the root causes of inflation.

• The scarcity of essential goods has led to panic buying among residents, further driving up prices.

Source: RFA.org, DailyNK

SHADOWS OF SHAME AMONG NORTH KOREAN OFFICIALS ABROAD

• North Korean officials stationed overseas often face a deep sense of shame and embarrassment about their identity, stemming from the stark contrast between their country's propaganda and the realities they observe in foreign nations. 

• This dissonance is exacerbated by the need to wear badges featuring the images of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il to symbolize loyalty and allegiance, which draws unwanted attention and ridicule.

• It is reported that some officials in China have been seen taking off their badges when entering restaurants or leaving official events.

• In certain situations, these officials have even pretended to be South Korean to avoid uncomfortable interactions. This behavior is also partly driven by the perception that South Koreans in China are treated as wealthy, whereas North Korea is “one of the poorest countries in the world.”

Source: RFA.org, Keia.org

NORTH KOREAN SOLDIERS CROSS THE DMZ SPARKING STANDOFF

• Around 10 North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line (“MDL”) into South Korean territory within the Demilitarized Zone (“DMZ”) on April 8, 2025. The soldiers returned to North Korea after South Korea issued warning broadcasts and fired warning shots.

• The reason for the border crossing remains uncertain, though South Korean officials assessed that the intrusion might not have been deliberate, as the area is densely wooded and MDL signs are not always clearly visible.

• The heavily fortified DMZ has been a site of occasional confrontations and bloodshed. This latest incident adds to the ongoing tensions between the two Koreas, which have been heightened by North Korea's missile tests and its alignment with Russia.

• The South Korean military closely monitored the situation and took necessary measures in accordance with operational procedures, but the incident underscores the fragile security dynamics along the border and the potential for accidental escalations.

Source: SCMP.com, Sky News

Pyongyang Marathon Returns: Foreigners Get Rare Glimpse Inside

The Pyongyang International Marathon, held on April 6, 2025, marked a significant moment for North Korea as it hosted its first international marathon in six years. This historic event welcomed around 200 runners from across the globe, including participants from countries such as Russia, China, the UK, Singapore, France, Portugal, Germany, Australia, Spain, Slovakia and Poland, making it one of the most diverse editions in the marathon’s history. 

EXPLORING PYONGYANG

Set against the backdrop of Pyongyang’s iconic landmarks, the marathon provided a rare opportunity for foreigners to explore the capital’s streets, cheered on by thousands of locals. Starting and ending at the legendary Kim Il-sung Stadium, the event was a symbol of North Korea's cautious steps towards reopening after years of isolation.

Koryo Tours played a crucial role in organizing the participation of western tourists at this year's marathon, taking on the responsibility as the exclusive partner due to the short notice in preparing for this international event. In addition to western groups, two Chinese travel companies brought runners to the event — the first time since the pandemic that tour groups from China have entered the DPRK. Hong Kong’s tour group, DeWonder, also brought 22 participants to Pyongyang for the occasion. These tours came with a premium price tag.  The fee for the seven-day marathon tour was around $2,750 USD per person, with the cost of participating in the race charged separately (full marathon participation was priced at around $155 USD, the half marathon at around $104 USD and the 5 or 10km races at around $72 USD).

VOICES FROM THE RACE

For North Korean runners like Pak Kum-dong and Jon Su-gyong, who secured victories in the elite men’s and women’s full marathon categories respectively, the event was a proud moment of achievement widely celebrated on state media. Pak described the enthusiastic cheers from his fellow citizens as his greatest motivation to push through the challenges of the race. Meanwhile, Polish runner Wojciech Kopec, who swept all three medals in the men’s amateur marathon, made headlines with his claim for victory in the race despite North Korean state media reporting a local athlete as the winner.

American runner Cameron Mofid, who participated in the 10km event, described the marathon as “the craziest experience” of his life. Mofid, who completed his mission to visit every country in the world with this trip to North Korea, shared the adrenaline rush of entering Kim Il-sung Stadium filled with 50,000 spectators and noted that the atmosphere was unlike anything he had experienced before.

Claus Randrup, a marathon participant from Denmark, said that while he believed there were no actors filling the streets and stores, he thought certain aspects of the trip were choreographed — such as metro passengers moving to the car where foreigners were located, or the last-minute approval for a visit to a shopping center. Randrup felt these elements were staged, “like part of a movie or play,” yet surprisingly, the short notice allowed more blending with locals. He remarked how much they were able to explore the city, even witnessing state-controlled social media where locals used a YouTube-style platform to watch 60-second highlights of Champions League games.

British YouTuber Harry Jaggard also documented his journey, shedding light on the contrasting interactions with North Korean guides. “When we’re off camera, they’re very open and they’ll say what they really think,” Jaggard shared, noting the candid nature of their discussions in informal settings. However, he observed a distinct shift when cameras were involved — guides and staffers appeared to have rehearsed responses, often citing music and books associated with the regime. “It’s like a script that they’ve learned.” Despite this, Jaggard highlighted moments of humor and curiosity, such as a guide jokingly pointing out a beer bottle-shaped pillar at the Taedonggang Brewery, calling it the best beer. 

The marathon was more than just an athletic event — it provided a rare window into the lives of North Koreans in 2025. This opportunity was especially unique given that North Korea briefly reopened tourism to Western visitors last month for the first time in over five years, only to suspend it again after just three weeks. The marathon-linked tours appear to have been a fleeting event, leaving uncertainty about future opportunities to engage with the reclusive nation.

“Kim Jong-un-ism” and Kim Il-sung's Birthday Celebration

On April 15, 2025, North Korea commemorates the 113th birth anniversary of its founding leader Kim Il-sung. To adventure enthusiasts uninterested in political affairs, this national holiday has morphed into a clever marketing tool for Pyongyang to attract tourists. Tour operators like Young Pioneer Tours and KTG offer exclusive packages to immerse travelers in the grand celebrations of Kim Il-sung's birthday. These tours provide a rare opportunity to witness the nation's meticulously orchestrated military parades, vibrant mass dances held at iconic landmarks across the country and dazzling display of fireworks over the Taedong River, satisfying foreign guests’ curiosity about one of the world's most secretive nations.

At the same time, this event, officially known as the "Day of the Sun," has in the eyes of many, evolved beyond a simple remembrance to serve as a form of political theater orchestrated by Kim Jong-un's regime.

DIMINISHING THE FOUNDER’S SIGNIFICANCE

Building on the subdued tone of last year’s events, this year’s celebration is anticipated to subtly diminish the emphasis on Kim Il-sung's personality cult. Since 2024, North Korean state media has ceased using the traditional term “Sun Festival,” opting instead for the more ambiguous title "April Spring People’s Art Festival." This change was not incidental but rather part of a deliberate strategy. The late leaders, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, were once deified as "eternal suns" in North Korea’s political discourse. However, after Kim Jong-un ascended to power, he gradually redirected the narrative toward themes of "self-reliance" and "nuclear power," moving away from the absolute deification of his predecessors in an intentional effort to break ties with the legacy of his forebears and construct a political identity that is uniquely his own. 

In parallel, Pyongyang's propaganda has increasingly emphasized the ideology known as "Kim Jong-un-ism" to reduce the significance of anything associated with Kim Il-sung. Even North Korea's annual marathon, originally introduced in 1981 to commemorate the April birthday of  Kim Il-sung, has undergone a name change this year. Previously called the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon — after Mangyongdae, a Pyongyang neighborhood promoted as Kim Il-sung's birthplace in state propaganda — it is now known as the Pyongyang International Marathon.

CAMBODIA IS FIRST TO CELEBRATE KIM IL-SUNG

With Kim Il-sung's birth anniversary approaching tomorrow, the North Korean embassy in Cambodia was among the first to hold commemorative events this year. This reflects Cambodia's enduring respect for the founder, stemming from his unique friendship with the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk. Forged during the Cold War over shared visions of national sovereignty amidst superpower rivalries, this bond was deeply personal. King Sihanouk, in his 2005 memoir, even described Kim as “my surest and most sincere friend... even more than a friend: a true brother and my only ‘true relative’ after the death of my mother.”

While this historical connection still shapes Cambodia's diplomatic gestures and its close ties with Pyongyang, these overseas commemorations increasingly spotlight the current leader, Kim Jong-un. The focus has clearly shifted from Kim Il-sung's era in recent years. For instance, this year's celebration in Cambodia drew senior government officials and representatives from both the ruling Cambodian People’s Party and the royalist Funcinpec party, according to the Khmer Times. They listened as the DPRK ambassador highlighted Kim Jong-un's dedication to developing a prosperous socialist state. By centering on the current leader’s achievements, such events subtly position Kim Il-sung's legacy more as a symbolic backdrop. This aligns with North Korea's broader narrative, which prioritizes Kim Jong-un's vision for modernization over dwelling solely on reverence for the nation's founder.

As North Korea continues to redefine its political agenda, the April Festival of 2025 underscores the evolving nature of these national celebrations that are interwoven with shifting power dynamics and strategic military maneuvers. As for those eager to travel to the isolated nation to partake in the festivities, they may well find themselves captivated by the elaborate staged performances throughout the holidays. Yet, their presence ultimately serves a deeper purpose – helping the regime reinforce to its citizens the narrative that even foreigners acknowledge and respect Kim Jong-un's leadership.

The Closing Door: Sharp Drop in North Korean Defectors Signals Tighter Control

North Korea's movement restrictions have reached new heights, resulting in a dramatic reduction in the number of defectors escaping the country. In 2019, over 1,000 North Koreans successfully fled to South Korea. By 2021, that number had plummeted to a mere 63.

More recently, only 181 defectors — 159 women and 22 men — arrived in South Korea between January and September of last year, according to a United Nations human rights report. These current numbers represent a small fraction of past levels, highlighting the tightening grip of the regime on its citizens.

Why the Dramatic Drop?

This sharp decline is largely due to extremely strict controls: severe restrictions on movement internally, increased use of surveillance technology along an already heavily fortified border, and even "shoot-on-sight" orders for anyone approaching the border with China, making escape far more perilous than before.

A Shift in Who Escapes: From Trafficked Women...

Historically, trafficked women often escaped through China, where they were subjected to exploitation such as forced marriages and sex trafficking, driven by the severe gender imbalance that fostered a black market for brides. Defector tales once echoed stories like Chae-ran's, who recounted how she was transported to northwestern China after finishing high school and was forced to choose between working in a bar entertaining customers or marrying a Chinese farmer eight years her senior, recalling that “I wanted to cry, but I knew nothing would change even if I did.”

...To Handpicked Workers

The recent UN report highlights a demographic shift. Now, many arrivals in South Korea are laborers officially sent abroad – primarily to China and Russia – specifically to earn foreign currency for the Kim regime. Despite the partial reopening of borders after COVID-19 closures, only these few, often selected for their perceived loyalty, seem able to find opportunities to flee.

Escape from Forced Labor Abroad

Selection criteria for overseas work often require demonstrating unwavering loyalty and being married. This allows Pyongyang to use potential repercussions against families left behind as a powerful tool to ensure compliance. Laborers work under strict surveillance by government minders, making escape difficult.

However, the harsh conditions—akin to modern-day slavery with forced multi-year contracts, confiscated passports, and most wages siphoned off by the government—combined with the prospect of eventual return to North Korea, compel some to defect. They seize rare moments when supervision might be less intense, such as during travel between job sites.

Families Left Behind: Stuck in an Invisible Prison

For the families of defectors who remain in North Korea, the consequences are severe and immediate. Even if they avoid execution or labor camps, they endure "intensified surveillance and suspicion," confining them to what observers call an "invisible prison."

Treated as "dangerous elements" and enemies of the state, one defector’s relative described how “they must live their entire lives feeling like criminals... They gradually began avoiding people because having every breath, meal, and word monitored and reported became unbearable.”

Security agencies heavily restrict the lives of these families. They are frequently denied travel permits, particularly to border regions, out of fear they might also attempt to defect or contact the outside world for information or money. One family reportedly abandoned travel to a relative's wedding after realizing security agents were following them, wishing to avoid causing problems for their hosts.

These inhumane restrictions not only isolate families within North Korea but also amplify the immense burden of guilt and worry carried by defectors living in freedom.