Barefoot in the mountains of China, she and her mother began their trek to a new life, but their trouble was not over. Soon, a new type of danger presented itself. A broker who had promised to see them safely into South Korea threatened to rape her, who was 14. Her mother interceded and allowed the man to have sex with her instead. In front of the young girl, the man sexually assaulted her mother. Later, she witnessed girls her own age being sold to men for as little as $200.
She does not speak easily of this time in her life. Constantly under threat of assault or death, she and her mother made their way to the area they believed they could find help. Eventually, Christian missionaries interceded and got them to safety. Soon, other groups intervened and managed to get the pair to South Korea, where they were reunited with her sister who had arrived earlier.
"The joy of having our family back together is impossible to describe," she says, who today lives with her mother and sister in the South Korean capital and attends the university there, majoring in political science. When asked what message she wants to send to the world, She has a compelling answer. "North Korea is an unimaginable place," she says softly.
She does not speak easily of this time in her life. Constantly under threat of assault or death, she and her mother made their way to the area they believed they could find help. Eventually, Christian missionaries interceded and got them to safety. Soon, other groups intervened and managed to get the pair to South Korea, where they were reunited with her sister who had arrived earlier.
"The joy of having our family back together is impossible to describe," she says, who today lives with her mother and sister in the South Korean capital and attends the university there, majoring in political science. When asked what message she wants to send to the world, She has a compelling answer. "North Korea is an unimaginable place," she says softly.
"You are told what to think, what to say and what to read. I did not even realize that there was such a thing as love for your fellow man until I left. Now, I want everyone to realize that there are still people living as I lived—many of them. I want to focus the attention of the world on what is really happening in North Korea so that perhaps others will become involved in putting pressure on the country to release those who are held against their will."
She is certainly doing her part to forward this dream. Involved with several humanitarian groups, she travels the globe, telling her story and sharing her experiences with those who will listen. "We are all human, and I believe in the power of human beings to help each other."
Those who are interested in helping North Koreans and others around the globe who are being held in prisons or denied basic human rights can become involved in a number of ways. One way is to educate themselves about the realities of the death camps, the public executions and the sexual slavery that is rampant in many parts of the world. Another way to help is to donate time and money to relief organizations that target the people groups in various countries who are suffering under these regimes.
"We can all do something," says Yeonmi Park. Seeing the incredible results this tiny, shy young lady has had in the past year makes this statement a fact. Seeing how dedicated she is to shining the light of truth on the horrors of North Korea and other regimes, how can any of us fail to do our part as well to stop human rights violations across the globe?
She is certainly doing her part to forward this dream. Involved with several humanitarian groups, she travels the globe, telling her story and sharing her experiences with those who will listen. "We are all human, and I believe in the power of human beings to help each other."
Those who are interested in helping North Koreans and others around the globe who are being held in prisons or denied basic human rights can become involved in a number of ways. One way is to educate themselves about the realities of the death camps, the public executions and the sexual slavery that is rampant in many parts of the world. Another way to help is to donate time and money to relief organizations that target the people groups in various countries who are suffering under these regimes.
"We can all do something," says Yeonmi Park. Seeing the incredible results this tiny, shy young lady has had in the past year makes this statement a fact. Seeing how dedicated she is to shining the light of truth on the horrors of North Korea and other regimes, how can any of us fail to do our part as well to stop human rights violations across the globe?
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