What is LiNK at USC?
Our Mission
Liberty in North Korea at USC is a university chapter of the international NGO Liberty in North Korea. Our purpose is to advocate for and spread awareness of the issues pertaining to North Korean refugees, the Korean peninsula, and human rights. We have a responsibility to support and assist LiNK HQ by engaging in educational activities and fundraising.
LiNK USC hopes to support refugee populations by shifting the focus of our activism on the real history, politics, and conflicts that have led to North Korea’s present-day situation through an unfiltered and critical perspective.
LiNK USC strives to cooperate with other on- and off-campus organizations to foster mutual solidarity and raise awareness of the interconnectedness of North Korean refugees’ issues with those of other groups.
Our organization is made up of three branches:
Advocacy, Fundraising, and Social
Advocacy
We advocate for and raise awareness of the issues pertaining to North Korea and the Korean peninsula through advocacy events and critical discussions at meetings.
.jpg)
Social
We aim to build a tight-knit community through social events. Some past events we've had include KBBQ nights and our annual Spring Retreat.
What is Liberty in North Korea?
Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based out of Long Beach, CA and Seoul, South Korea. The organization focuses on three areas of activism: refugee extractions, resettlement, and media advocacy.
In China, North Korean refugees are denied refugee status and instead considered economic migrants by the government. This status plus a border agreement between the two countries leaves the refugees extremely vulnerable to human trafficking or even forcible repatriation, with no way to exit the country without arrest. If repatriated, these people face torture and internment at North Korean political prison camps.
LiNK aids North Korean refugees in an over 3,000 mile journey from Northern China and through Southeast Asia to claim asylum in South Korea. The organization has helped 1204 refugees reach freedom as of August 2020. Hundreds of Rescue Teams in communities and college campuses like ours exist to raise money for the safe passage of refugees out of insecure regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a question.