North Korean Defectors

Most North Korean defectors are women. In North Korea, women are the primary income earner for their families as most men are employed by the North Korean military. For these women, a common reason for defecting from North Korea is to have a chance at life with more resources and to send money back to the families left behind. It is reported that only 10-20% of defectors are men who choose to flee North Korea for political reasons or to escape the constant pressures of being monitored by the North Korean government.

Crossing Borders encounters and serves many North Korean defectors living in China. Many would prefer to find their way to safety in South Korea but that journey is precarious with risk of being caught and sent back to North Korea where punishment or execution awaits.

SAFETY FIRST FOR NORTH KOREAN DEFECTORS

We work to ensure safety first for North Korean defectors. Life in China is hard for these defectors as the language and culture are foreign, they lack any sort of support from friends, family or neighbors and they live with absolutely no protection by the Chinese government. While safety for North Korean defectors is priority, we also provide spiritual counseling, medical care and financial assistance. And that's just the beginning.

We connect each defector with a community of other North Koreans to provide them with support and we plant churches in North Korean communities where there are none. Imagine how life giving it is to discover and be in community with other North Korean refugees.

Our goal is to help each defector reach his and her God-given potential. Whatever it is they want to do and whomever they want to become, our goal is to help them get there. And we stick to one simple rule: Don’t do too much. We have found that, when we do too much for North Korean defectors, there is a likelihood that they become over dependent on our support. Rather, we faithfully work to journey with them and “teach them how to fish”, providing resources to becoming self sufficient and independent.

This does not happen overnight. These journeys are long and with many peaks and valleys. And we know that only the healing love of Jesus can give them the restoration and rest they need from a lifetime of oppression, starvation, brainwashing and suffering. But we persist in lovingly and faithfully serving North Koreans because the love of Christ compels us.

HELP NORTH KOREAN DEFECTORS

Pray - life in China or South Korea may be a drastic improvement for North Korean defectors but it certainly not easy. Persecution follows them (even in South Korea) and estimated suicide rates of North Korean defectors is high. Pray for God to take a hold of their hearts and for His love to surround them, protect them and restore them

Give - help Crossing Borders help more North Koreans living in China and South Korea by providing resources and the help they need to be restored.