chosun journal announcements

North Korea- Suzanne Scholte

Edward Kim — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:52:03 +0000

Dear Friends:

I know this past summer I asked everyone to help and participate in a lot of events (rallies, press conferences and even a hunger strike!) to promote human rights in North Korea, but this time I am requesting your help by simply writing a few letters. I hope you will consider sending a letter for the Letters from America program which is being broadcast in to North Korea and that you will consider writing a letter to Senator Joseph Biden and your own Senators regarding the North Korea Human Rights Reauthorization Act. Details on these two requests follow below.

Many thanks,

Suzanne Scholte

First Action Item: Letters from America has been a huge success. Thank you to all of you who have sent in letters so far and especially to NKFC member, Open Doors, which generated a lot of letters for this program. The North Korean defectors love the program and they started broadcasting your letters to the North Korean people in to North Korea this summer on Free North Korea Radio, the defectors own broadcasting station. I asked the staff of Free North Korea Radio to pick their favorite letters from the 50 plus that we read and recorded and sent in July, so that you could see examples of these letters. Below are their four favorite letters and the staff’s comments about each of them.

If you want to be included in the next batch of letters that will be read on the air and broadcast in to North Korea, please send your letter by Sept 17 and include your first name and city and state and anything else personal about yourself you want to share. Your letter should be sent to skswm@aol.com and please include in the subject line of your email: Letters from America so we know it is for this program.

Here are the letters that were chosen as their favorites by the FNKR staff and their comments:

Dear People of North Korea,
My name is Becky and I live in Ohio which is in the middle of the United States. My sister and brother-in-law adopted an orphan boy from South Korea over 20 years ago. He is as much a part of our family as their birth children. But because of where he was born I have a special place in my heart for all Korean people. It is very sad to see on the television and watch the videos of what Kim Jong-il has done to your country. I have read of food and medicine that is sent to you but he is preventing you from getting it. The leader of any people should have the people’s best interest at heart and that is not the case where you are. We have much prosperity in our country and we have problems, too, but the one thing we have that is more valuable than anything is our freedom. We have freedom to come and go as we please, we have freedom to worship as we want, we have plenty to eat and wonderful medical help. These things should be for all people in the world. It is our prayer that you will have wonderful freedoms in your country, too. We care about what is happening to you and are doing everything we can to make people aware that you should have freedom.
Love from your friend Becky in Ohio

FNKR Staff comment: “I liked Becky’s letter best because it showed how clearly she disliked Kim Jong-il. There are even South Koreans who have a strange affection to this dictator. Many don’t distinguish between Kim Jong-il and the NK people. However Becky said Kim Jong-il is our enemy, while we have to help and save the people of North Korea.”

________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear North Koreans,
My name is Hope and I’m from the state of Pennsylvania in the United States of America. We know that many of you do not have enough food and that you can be imprisoned for listening to this broadcast or for being a Christian. I heard of one elderly man who sang a Japanese song and a neighbor reported him to authorities. That elderly grandfather, his children, and grandchildren were all taken to prison just for singing a Japanese song. That story and others like it make me cry for you and ask the God who made the earth and skies to comfort you.

There are North Korean children whose parents have died and they have no one to take care of them. I am trying, with God’s help, to bring these children into families so they will have food, a bed to sleep in, a good education, and new parents who love them.
The Korean War happened so long ago, that most young people do not think of it at all anymore. It is just one more war in their history books. The United States should have helped you become free so that, like South Korea, you would have food, jobs, nice houses, and schools for your children. Did you know that most people in South Korea and the United States have plenty of food. People like me in the United States want you to have plenty of food and freedom.
Finally, I want to say that I know you are a strong, vibrant people and I want to honor you for your strength and the way you have held onto the hope for a better life someday. We Americans are holding onto that same hope. Even though we are told that you hate us. You should know that we love you and care about you.
From your friend, Hope in Pennsylvania, USA

FNKR STAFF Comment: Dear Hope in Pennsylvania. My father was arrested in North Korea because he was an underground Christian. I fled from NK to continue my father’s dream. I cried too when I read your letter. If only my father can hear this program! Please keep sending these letters. I will work nights and days on this program.
_____________________________
CITIZENS OF NORTH KOREA:
Fifty eight years ago, I was a young infantry officer in the Korean War. When I departed that war torn nation, I questioned how South Korea could survive…Today, South Korea stands as a democracy, and is the eleventh largest economy in the world. I am proud to have served in the cause of South Korean freedom

South Korea’s success rests on it’s smart and hard working people. North Korea has the same people…..They too can achieve great national pride and accomplishment……when North and South Korea peacefully unite and everyone in North Korea has the same freedom as South Korea. I hope that day comes soon so that North Korea can be as prosperous as South Korea.
From Ed a former United States Marine Captain who fought for South Korea to be free

FNKR STAFF: I liked the letter from Ed, the ex-marine captain. North Korean people will be shocked to learn a U.S. marine sent a letter through defectors-run radio program! Truth matters most in our program, but the person who wrote this letter matters also. Thank you.

_____________________________________________________________________
Hello. My name is Kristine and I live in Virginia and my home is not far from the Capitol of America, Washington DC. I just want you to know that I am thinking about you all the time. God blessed me with three sons and I have taught my sons about North Korea and how the children are starving. I have taught my sons that they should always help people that are suffering. Most Americans teach their children these things because our country has so much prosperity and wealth.
Sometimes when I am making dinner for my three sons, I think about the North Korean mothers who are trying desperately to feed their children. I cannot imagine how hard it is for these mothers who do not have enough food to give their children that they love so much. My heart aches when I think about this and sometimes I cry. You probably think this is silly because I do not know you and I live on the other side of the world. But dear people in North Korea, you need to know this is how Americans think. My parents taught me to care about other people and now I am teaching my sons the same thing.
Did you know that we have so much food in the United States that we send millions and millions of tons of food to wherever people are hungry – all over this world. We tried to send food to every single person in North Korea who was hungry. But North Korean people still starved. And then we found out that Kim Jong-il was keeping the food for himself and his loyal followers. You need to know that Americans care deeply about the people of North Korea, but we do not like Kim Jong-il. We think he is the worst dictator in the whole world because of how he hurts the people in North Korea. We hope one day you will have freedom because if you look around the world all the people who have freedom also have plenty of food to share.
I will be thinking about you. Your Friend Kristine in Virginia.

FNKR STAFF COMMENT: I want to respond to the letter from Kristine which touched my heart. I read that she tells her three children not to forget the North Korean children and she prays for the children in North Korea. I can hardly believe there are such people in the United States who pray for North Koreans, not too many North Koreans will believe what they hear but if we keep sending messages like this, someday they will understand and believe what Americans are. We have to work with conviction. I am in charge of sending the messages from the US to NK. I promise I will do my best!

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Second Action Item: Write in Support of North Korea Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2008 – we are asking everyone to write to Senator Joseph Biden, Chairman of the Senator Foreign Relations Committee, AND their own Senators in support of this legislation which strengthens and improves the North Korea Human Rights Act of 2004. The Act unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives last May and is now in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. A copy of the legislation is attached.

Write:

Senate Joseph Biden

Chairman

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

439 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, DC. 20510

and fax your letter to 202-228-3612. (Senate Foreign Relations Committee office fax) Ask him to ensure that the United States Senate considers and passes the North Korea Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2008! You should mention in your letter, your own personal concerns for the suffering North Korean people, the plight of the refugees, etc.

The Congress will be working quickly to get out to campaign for re-election so we want to be sure that this legislation is enacted before the recess currently scheduled for September 26!!

Also, please write you own Senator asking that he/she ensure this legislation is acted on now.

I urge you to fax your letter as well as email–

Here is information on all the US Senators.

http://www.senate.gov/reference/common/faq/How_to_contact_senators.htm

Many, many thanks for your help on these important initiatives.

Warm regards,

NED Fellowship (deadline: 11/10/08)

Edward Kim — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:29:57 +0000

Dear Colleague,

We are writing to request your assistance in publicizing fellowship opportunities at the National Endowment for Democracy. Established in 2001, the Endowment’s Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program enables democracy activists, practitioners, scholars, and journalists from around the world to deepen their understanding of democracy and enhance their ability to promote democratic change. Fellows are in residence at the International Forum for Democratic Studies, the research arm of the Endowment, in Washington, D.C., and receive a stipend, health insurance, and travel assistance.

We are especially interested in ensuring that our fellowship program becomes known to activists and scholars throughout Asia. Given your organization’s important role in the promotion of human rights and democracy in this vital region of the world, we are turning to you for assistance in spreading the word about our fellowship opportunities.

Included below is a brief announcement describing the fellows program, with a link to our website, where viewers may download our application. Attached to this message, you will also find a copy of our fellowship flyer.

We would be grateful if you could publicize our fellowship announcement and flyer in any way you deem fit-for instance, by way of a web posting, email listserv, newsletter, office bulletin, or by word of mouth. Thank you very much.

Our newly updated Reagan-Fascell Information Booklet and Application Guidelines and 2009–2010 Applicant Information Form are available on our website for candidates considering applying for a fellowship. These application materials may be downloaded from our website atwww.ned.org/forum/reagan-fascell.html. Our application deadline this year has been extended until Monday, November 10, 2008.

Thank you in advance for your kind efforts in publicizing our fellowship opportunities. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at fellowships@ned.org.

Sincerely,

The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program Staff
National Endowment for Democracy
Washington, D.C.

Call for Applications for Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowships:

The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program at the Washington, D.C.-based National Endowment for Democracy invites applications from candidates throughout Asia for fellowships in 2009–2010. Established in 2001, the program enables democracy activists, practitioners, scholars, and journalists from around the world to deepen their understanding of democracy and to enhance their ability to promote democratic change. The program is intended primarily to support activists, practitioners, and scholars from new and aspiring democracies; distinguished scholars from the United States and other established democracies are also eligible to apply. Projects may focus on the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural aspects of democratic development and may include a range of methodologies and approaches. A working knowledge of English is required. The application deadline for fellowships in 2009–2010 has been extended until Monday, November 10, 2008. For more information and application materials, please visit www.ned.org/forum/reagan-fascell.html.

Worldwide Day of Fasting and Prayer for North Korea – Sunday July 27, 2008

Edward Kim — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:17:25 +0000

Beloved Children of God Worldwide,

Sunday, July 27th, 2008 is the 55th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice and the creation of the Demilitarized Zone, the border which divides North and South Korea and most heavily armed border in the world.

This day has been declared a Worldwide Day of Fasting and Prayer for North Korea, and is an urgent call to all churches and believers worldwide: Please sanctify July 27th and mobilize fasting, repentance, and intercession for the welfare of the North Korean people and for a breakthrough to justice, healing, and revival in North Korea.

Attached are fliers and prayer points in Korean and English. Please forward this call to prayer to all those in your network and unite with believers around the world for the fulfillment of 2 Chronicles 7:14 in Korea that will heal this land.

With faith and hope in Christ alone,

The Global Justice Prayer Network

“If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” — 2 Chronicles 7:14

사랑하는 전 세계의 형제와 자매 여러분,

주님의 이름으로 문안하며 평안하기를 기도합니다. 2008년 7월 27일은 세계에서 가장 군사적으로 무장되고 남북한을 나누고 있는 비무장지대와 휴전선이 만들어 진지 55주년 되는 날입니다.

이 날은 북한을 위해 전 세계가 금식과 기도를 선포하는 날이며 전 세계 모든 교회와 형제 자매들을 긴급하게 기도와 금식으로 부르신 날입니다. 북한 사람들의 복지와 자유 그리고 그땅에 부흥과 고침, 정의가 살아나도록 기도하고 회개 금식으로 함께 하며 또한 각 지체와 교회들이 7월 27일정화되어 기도합시다.

한국어 영어로 북한을 위한 기도제목과 편지를 함께 보냅니다. 이 편지를 받으시는 모든 분들이 기도하기를 원하며 이 부르심을 주위에 함께할 수 있도록 나눕시다. 이 한반도가 역대하 7장 14절 말씀처럼 성취되고 고쳐지기를 전세계적으로 예수그리스도를 믿는 형제 자매들이 하나되어 기도합시다.

이 모든 것 위해 오직 우리 주 예수 그리스안에서 믿음과 소망으로 이루어지길 기도합니다.

글로벌 정의 기도 네트워크

” 내 이름으로 일컫는 내 백성이 그 악한 길에서 떠나 스스로 겸비하고 기도하여 내 얼굴을 구하면 내가 하늘에서 듣고 그 죄를 사하고 그 땅을 고칠지라” (역대하 7:14)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Edward Kim — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:59:53 +0000

Stand for the Freedom, Human Rights, and Dignity of the North Korean People

UPCOMING EVENTS

In Washington D.C.

Every Tuesday 11 am – 1 pm until the Olympics: Take A Stand for North Korean Refugees in China: Every Tuesday from 11 am – 1 pm at the Chinese Embassy, 2300 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC, please join North Korea Freedom Coalition Vice-Chairman Pastor Heemoon Lee and Pastor Young Kuol Park who are spearheading the efforts here on behalf of the KCC’s ”Let My People Go Campaign” For more information contact: Pastor Lee at heemoonlee@hotmail.com

Also note: Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, New York – KCC is planning events this summer at all Chinese consulates up until the Olympics, contact Sam Kim at skim@kccnk.org

July 16: Press Conference: National Press Club for those Jailed in China/Release of Letter to Bush –

Please note that date as more details to follow

July 17: 12-1:30 pm Freedom House and Falun Gong Rally to Stop China’s Persecution: Upper Senate Park on Capitol Hill (across from Russell Senate Office Building at Constitution and Delaware) Former jailed humanitarian worker, Steve Kim reported that among the many prisoners he met in China’s detention centers, the largest number after North Korean refugees were Falun Gong practitioners. Simply for exercising the fundamental right of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, the Falun Gong are on the frontlines of persecution in China ever since the Chinese Communist Party began a campaign of suppression and persecution against them. This rally is a chance to stand with them and show support – be sure to wear T-shirts on behalf of the North Korea refugees if you can participate in solidarity!

In Europe:

June 30-July 15: European Bike Campaign to Stop China’s Rights Abuses of the North Korean Refugees Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, and England are among the stops of this project organized by the 444 Campaign and currently underway in Belgium (Willy Fautre and Human Rights Without Frontiers is hosting the group and events right now). A group of 65 human rights activists from South Korea are cycling through Europe to protest China’s brutality against the North Korean refugees and highlight this human rights tragedy. If you can join or help in Europe, contact JiHye Park for more information at justice4nk@gmail.com or call : 82 10 9099 7323

Worldwide:

July 27: Worldwide Day of Fasting and Prayer for North Korea: Robert Park is once again spearheading a global day of fasting and prayer for North Korea that is being held on July 27, the 55th anniversary of the Korean War armistice and creation of the Demilitarized Zone. The day of fasting and prayer is being supported by the Global Day of Prayer, Open Doors and the North Korea Freedom Coalition. To join and for further information email: letjusticerolldownlikewaters@gmail.com

PROJECTS NEEDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT

(100% of donation goes to the project!)

Balloon Launches in to North Korea - Also Helps Free Market!: The DPRK continues to protest vigorously about the pamphlets of information that are being dropped via balloon into North Korea by North Korean defectors. The launches contain pamphlets of true information from the defectors living in freedom in South Korea to those enslaved by Kim Jong-il and, when financially possible, $1 US bills which can feed a North Korean family of four for a week, and helps boost the market (a great stimulus package for the free market!). If you can help finance a launch (approximately $1000 plus US $1 bills), please contact me at skswm@aol.com

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE RIGHT NOW!

Former Secretary of State of Canada David Kilgour will be in Washington, D.C. around July 17 – 19 (may potentially extend to July 21-22 if needed) for the rally on July 17, if you are interested in hosting an event or helping organize an event for him, please contact Janice Trey at janicetrey@edoors.com

“No to De-List of North Korea as a Terrorist State:” ReACH (Rescuing Abductees Center for Hope)
asks that you add your voice by sending this message via email to the President of the USA and (for American citizens), your own elected officials: NO to De-list of North Korea as a Terrorist State President comments@whitehouse.gov
Your Senator: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Your Congressperson: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt

Order for your Summer Reading: I’ll Cross the River a powerful story by Hope Flinchbaugh of what is happening to the North Korean people can be ordered on line at ww.northkoreafreedom.wetpaint.com or by calling 1-800-871-7963.

Letters From America to the North Korean People: If you have a message you want to send to the North Korean people, now is your chance. We are collecting messages to be broadcast via Free North Korea Radio. Messages should be personal (from the heart) and include your full name and town and state where you live. Letters should be short 1/2 to 1 page is fine and remember that the audience is the North Korean people who will not be familiar with a lot of terms we take for granted. If you are interested in this project, please email skswm@aol.com

Rescue North Korean Women from Trafficking: 318 Partners led by Steve Kim needs financial support for the rescue of North Korean women who are victims of trafficking. Already, rescues are underway but resources are desperately needed. Please contact Steve Kim at 318 Partners at ,

if you can help save a life from victimization!