Korea divided: A sister’s long wait and a defector’s bid to save his mother

Korea divided: A sister’s long wait and a defector’s bid to save his mother Kim Kang-woo, a 31-year-old man from North Korea, has spent nearly six years living in South Korea while working to rescue his mother from the oppressive regime she still resides under. Born in Hyesan, a city on the Chinese border, Kim grew up in a household struggling with economic hardship. The North Korean government's 2009 currency reform led to widespread poverty, forcing many citizens, including Kim's father, to seek alternative means of survival. After crossing into China to find work, Kim's father was detained and forcibly repatriated. He was later beaten to death during an interrogation by North Korean state security forces. As a result, Kim, then a teenager, faced the grim reality of being labeled a political criminal and thus ineligible for military service, a fate that effectively ended his future within the system. The loss of his father triggered a chain of events that ultimately led Kim to flee North Korea. While studying in high school, he discovered smuggled South Korean films, which exposed him to a vastly different image of his homeland. These movies, including popular dramas like Prosecutor Princess and Boys Over Flowers, challenged the narrative he had been taught in school, that South Korea was a place of poverty and despair. Instead, he saw a country where individuals, even those with little resources, could achieve success through effort. This revelation inspired him to take action. On May 26, 2016, Kim escaped North Korea via China, traveling through Southeast Asia before reaching a South Korean embassy. After undergoing a government security screening and completing a resettlement program, he officially settled in South Korea in February 2017. Despite his newfound freedom, Kim remained deeply connected to his family, especially his mother, who had stayed behind in North Korea. He vowed to return and help her escape, promising to save her once he had earned enough money. For several years, he worked tirelessly, taking on jobs ranging from construction labor to retail positions, saving every penny to fund his mother’s defection. In 2019, he attempted to reunite with her by arranging a broker to assist in her escape. However, the plan collapsed when his mother, overwhelmed by fear and lacking a personal communication device, hesitated to proceed. Undeterred, Kim devised a new strategy. He believed the only viable option was to accompany his mother himself, ensuring she would not face the dangers alone. Kim’s efforts reflect the broader challenges faced by defectors and their families in North Korea. Under the regime’s strict policies, relatives of those who flee are often targeted, facing increased scrutiny, forced relocation, and potential demotion in the hereditary loyalty rankings known as songbun. These rankings determine access to basic necessities like housing and employment, and can severely impact the future of entire families. Defectors' loved ones are frequently subjected to harsh measures, including surveillance and restrictions on their daily lives. In extreme cases, families may be sent to labor camps for perceived disloyalty. Kim’s situation underscores the emotional and logistical complexities of reuniting with family members trapped in North Korea. His journey highlights how the division of the Korean Peninsula continues to affect generations, with young people increasingly influenced by external media and the realities of life beyond the border. His determination to rescue his mother represents both a personal struggle and a symbolic act of defiance against the isolation imposed by the North Korean regime. As Kim prepares for another attempt to bring his mother to safety, his story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of geopolitical divisions. It also illustrates the resilience of individuals seeking to reclaim their futures, despite the immense risks involved. Whether his next move will succeed remains uncertain, but his unwavering commitment to his family continues to drive his actions.