NK defectors talk about death of mother, son who may have starved

The apartment in Seoul where North Korean refugee Han Sung-ok and her son were found dead on July 31. Korea Times file

There have been international headlines for the past month about a North Korean refugee named Ms. Han Sung-ok who reportedly starved to death in Seoul. This blog post quotes North Korean refugees commenting on her death. ― ED.

Myung-shik, male, escaped North Korea in 2010, arrived in South Korea in 2010

The system let her starve. There are many organizations and the government that have a lot of money, but their support doesn't reach refugees. They spend so much money, but how many North Korean refugees work at the big government agencies and organizations? Even though so much money is spent in the name of helping North Korean refugees, it mainly seems to be South Koreans who are benefitting from it. North Korean refugees still can't get jobs after graduating from even the good universities here; many others work in hard labor. I hear so many excuses, but nothing really changes. The system isn't set up to help North Korean refugees in a practical way. Ms. Han probably didn't know where to seek help or didn't feel welcomed by bureaucrats focused on filing their reports about how their programs are operating so well.

Yumi, female, escaped North Korea in 2015, arrived in South Korea in 2019

I have heard people trying to blame the government, but I blame her. I can't believe with all of the organizations, people and government helping North Korean refugees that a person would let herself and her child starve to death. She could have gotten a part-time job earning money, anything to save herself and her son. I was shocked when I heard this story. I can understand how people in North Korea can starve to death, but in South Korea? There is food everywhere and there are also support services for everyone including North Korean refugees, South Koreans, migrant workers. It is a reminder that North Korean refugees need to find jobs to survive here. She might have some trauma that made it difficult for her to meet others or to ask for help.

Jin-a, female, escaped North Korea in 2003, arrived in South Korea in 2005

When I heard about her tragedy, I didn't want to hear it or believe it. Then I just felt sorry for them. I strongly believe she was suffering from depression or mental health problems. I also went through deep depression after my child was born. It isn't so unusual for mothers to go through that. If they recover, then it is natural for a mother to do whatever she can to save her own children. I guess she must have given up. I have counseled many North Korean refugee mothers over the years, so many suffer from depression. Ms. Han has passed away, but hopefully people will be more sensitive to the challenges North Korean refugee mothers face here.

Jinsu, female, escaped North Korea in 2009, arrived in South Korea in 2009

In order for a North Korean refugee to starve to death, they must try really hard to avoid getting help. Sometimes I wish the government agencies and NGOs would leave me alone; so many of them are chasing me for counseling, interviews, research and services. Once you become "known," then they will continue trying to help even if you don't ask. If Ms. Han had just said something to the police officer responsible for staying in touch with her, then she could have gotten help. So many of those police officers are really responsive and start to care about the North Koreans beyond just having a job. The government already does so much, it isn't necessary for people to ask it to do more. Everyone has personal responsibility, so hopefully this case will remind everyone that we can't blame others if we let ourselves starve to death.

Jeong-ah, female, escaped North Korea in 2002, arrived in South Korea in 2004

When I arrived in South Korea, there were few services for North Korean refugees. Hanawon had just started a few years before and I think they were still developing support services because so many more North Korean refugees were escaping from North Korea to come here. Of course, those services and support can't be perfect, but now there are so many organizations with support services. If Ms. Han had just reached out, she could have gotten help. I really don't understand: How could she let herself starve to death? She should have done anything to save herself and her child. She has died, I hope this will make North Korean refugees and other people realize they should not just starve to death, that they should reach out to ask for help. Those with children have even more of a responsibility to do something.

Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center, was the 2017 winner of the "Social Contribution" Prize from the Hansarang Rural Cultural Foundation and was recently named the 2019 winner of a "Challenge Maker" Award from Challenge Korea. TNKR co-founder Eunkoo Lee translated the remarks of the refugees from Korean to English.