Projects
Explore advocacy work and initiatives
Voices Behind the Border
Amplifying North Korean Refugee Stories
Introduction
Episodes
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
From Assumptions to Understanding
What began as a straightforward human rights project gradually evolved into something more layered and personal. During my internship at a North Korean human rights NGO, I met individuals whose stories defied the simplistic narratives I had grown up with. While some spoke of repression and hunger, many described an ongoing struggle, marked by loneliness, discrimination, and cultural alienation, not only in North Korea, but in South Korea as well.
Moved by their stories, I launched Voices Behind the Border, a YouTube series documenting the diverse experiences of North Korean defectors across regions and generations. I directed, filmed, and edited each episode, working closely with interviewees to ensure their comfort and agency throughout the process. The project forced me to unlearn assumptions and listen with greater humility, refusing to reduce people to symbols or statistics.
As the series grew, reaching over 2,000 subscribers, it shifted from focusing solely on escape narratives to spotlighting the structural challenges that persist after resettlement: from navigating the job market to accessing state-funded welfare. Voices Behind the Border taught me that meaningful advocacy isn't just about spotlighting injustice, it's about creating space for complexity and voice.
A Community in Crisis
North Korean refugees face one of the most challenging transitions imaginable. After escaping severe oppression and undertaking dangerous journeys to freedom, they arrive in South Korea facing:
- •Cultural isolation - Decades of separation creating language and social barriers
- •Economic hardship - Limited job skills and discrimination in employment
- •Psychological trauma - Unprocessed trauma from oppression and escape
- •Lack of advocacy - Limited platforms to share their stories and needs
Research, Translation, Action
Research
Conducted in-depth research on North Korean human rights violations, compiling evidence and documentation used in lobbying efforts for policy change in South Korea.
Translation
Translated critical materials between Korean and English, making human rights documentation accessible for international advocacy and policy initiatives.
Public Advocacy
Participated in public awareness campaigns, organizing events and initiatives to educate communities about North Korean human rights violations.
“Working with Voices Behind Borders taught me that human rights advocacy isn't abstract—it's about real people with real stories, deserving dignity, safety, and the chance to rebuild their lives.”
Key Contributions
Research & Documentation
Conducted comprehensive research on human rights violations in North Korea, compiling evidence, testimonies, and data for use in lobbying materials. Analyzed policy frameworks and created documentation that supported legislative advocacy efforts in South Korea's National Assembly.
Translation Services
Provided critical translation services for materials used in international advocacy. Translated research reports, policy briefs, and survivor testimonies between Korean and English, ensuring these vital stories and data reached global audiences and decision-makers.
Public Awareness Campaigns
Actively participated in organizing and executing public awareness campaigns throughout Seoul. These initiatives educated the South Korean public about ongoing human rights violations, challenged apathy, and mobilized community support for policy reforms protecting North Korean refugees.
Advocacy in Action
Visual documentation of public campaigns, community organizing, and awareness initiatives throughout my year at Voices Behind Borders. Each photo represents moments of education, solidarity, and the fight for human rights.
Lessons & Growth
🔥 Oppression Is Intersectional—So Is Resistance
North Korean refugees don't face just one form of oppression. They've survived totalitarian violence, escaped through dangerous routes, and then confront xenophobia, economic marginalization, and cultural erasure in their new homes. Anti-oppression work means understanding and challenging all these interconnected systems.
🌍 Documentation Is Resistance
Oppressive regimes rely on silence and erasure. Every research document I compiled, every testimony I translated, was an act of resistance—preserving truth, creating evidence, and ensuring these stories can't be denied or forgotten. Translation isn't neutral; it's solidarity work that amplifies silenced voices.
✊ Solidarity Is Active, Not Performative
Real solidarity isn't social media posts or abstract sympathy. It's showing up consistently—researching, translating, organizing, advocating. A full year at Voices Behind Borders taught me that meaningful change requires sustained commitment, not momentary gestures.
The Work Continues
My time at Voices Behind Borders was just the beginning. The fight for human rights, refugee protection, and justice for marginalized communities continues in every space I enter.