Entertainers Join Effort to “Save My Friend,” South Korean Lawmaker Launches Hunger Strike
Across the street from the Chinese Embassy in Seoul today was a busy place. At 2 p.m. South Korean National Assemblywoman Park Sun Young of the Liberty Forward Party launched a hunger strike (I took the photo above around 5:40 p.m.).
In a statement on Tuesday, Park said she plans to launch an “indefinite” hunger strike in front of the Chinese embassy in Seoul to protest the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors by China.
“At this very moment, China continues to search and arrest North Korean defectors,” Park said.
“To fundamentally change China, somebody must make a sacrifice. So, I will launch an indefinite hunger strike starting today,” the lawmaker said. [Korea Times]
I have seen her at several North Korean human rights events over the years, so I doubt this is an act to bring attention to herself. One of her staff members said she will be sleeping in a tent at this spot — and she pointed to it around the corner.
Meanwhile at 4:50 p.m., just a few feet to her right, actor Cha In Pyo and several other entertainers held a press conference. They sang, cried, and read letters appealing to the “citizens of the People’s Republic of China and the international community” to stop the repatriation of 31 refugees currently detained in China. Cha of course was the lead actor in the 2008 movie Crossing.
As you can see in the photos below, the stars got the media out. There must have been a camera from every major news outlet in Korea there.
But it’s not just all star-power. Many groups appear to be uniting behind a “Save My Friend” grassroots campaign that is rapidly spreading via social media (Twitter and more recently Facebook). I base that on the fact that the petition they very recently started is now getting thousands of signers per day.
Joining the entertainers were a group of students and the principal from YeoMyeong School, which is an alternative school for young North Korean defectors in Seoul.
The Save My Friend organizers plan to gather every day at 2 p.m. across the street from the Chinese Embassy. It’s about a 8-10 minute walk straight out of exit 2 of the Gyeongbokgung Subway Station (line 3).
Awesome! Now THAT’S how you OCCUPY!
Dan the man! Mega-great way to start my day. Excellent reportage; crossing my fingers for this movement. ,lew
We African Refugees in Korea, will fight to seek protection for our friend North Korean Refugees in China !!!!
China doesn’t have “licence” to kill Refugees and International community must stand against North Korea deportation.
Tomorrow Sunday 26th of feb. 2012 all refugees in Korea will stand front of China embassy in Seoul.
SAVE MY FRIEND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
An obvious human rights issue that we should all endorse. I’m signing the petition today!
Judging by the first picture it appears that there is more media personnel than actual protesters. It is frustrating to continue to see how the South Korean public can turn out tens of thousands to protest the fraudulent US beef issue, but can’t even get a thousand people to protest China and the Kim regime’s human rights record in regards to North Korean refugees.
Love to see the students from YeoMyeong School participating. Nothing like young souls with passion. I do wish there was more support from South Koreans; I feel much of the younger generation, the future of South Korea, lacks understanding and compassion of/for the issue. But there is still hope!
Luke 18:7-8
And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?â€
God we cryout for justice!!!!
where can i sign the petition!?
http://www.change.org/petitions/save-north-korean-refugees-savemyfriend
Perhaps it would be a good idea for all foreigners to contact our embassies directly and ask our representatives what their response is this campaign is. We need to encourage them to lend their support. One day it might be me and it might be you who needs a friend.
God bless Korea and our north Korean friends- I hope unification will come soon