One of the Danish European Mission's many projects revolves around helping North Korean refugees. They have fled hunger and misery in the hope of a dignified life outside the borders of North Korea. But they run a great risk when they flee through China. They can never be sure of their safety until they make it out of China and reach South Korea by a circuitous route. Those discovered by the Chinese authorities are sent back to North Korea. This is often the worst thing that can happen. The process is so painful that the refugees almost prefer to die.
But there are also some who make it further and out of China. One of them is a little girl, just 5 years old, who, along with eight others, made the escape. She stayed in an orphanage in Yanbian in northeast China, separated from her mother.
Born in China
According to an orphanage director, 5-year-old Chi-hye Lee* was the daughter of Song-sook Lee, who was born in the early 1970s in Hoeryong, North Korea. It is said that one day, like thousands of others, she fled to China. She was pregnant with Chi-hye and subsequently gave birth to the girl in China. Unfortunately, Chi-hye's mother was discovered by the Chinese authorities and she was relentlessly sent back to North Korea.
Beaten to death
In North Korea, Chi-hye's mother was taken to the dreaded Chonko-ri prison. She was separated from her young daughter. It is said that she subsequently died due to the extremely harsh treatment she received in prison. In short, she was killed while her daughter was still in northeast China.
Chi-hye on the run again
According to the Danish European Mission's partner, nine people managed to escape, including little Chi-hye Lee. They have now been brought safely to a country in Southeast Asia, where they are waiting to be resettled in South Korea. Our partner thanks the Danish European Mission and their supporters for the help that made rescues like this possible!
The joy in the midst of the pain is that those who have fled receive practical help and often meet Christians who show them love. It is also no secret that it is often Christian missionaries who risk their lives to save those who have been trapped in a totalitarian society where total submission is a requirement.
*Chi-hye Lee is a fictitious name for security reasons.
