November 2016 Persecution Magazine (2 of 3)

Interviews
with
Defectors
Two North Korean defectors share their stories of loss,
freedom and salvation with ICC.
By Brianna Young and Ashley Shay
Praise and Sammy are two North
Korean defectors who shared
with ICC their stories of courage
and escape from one of
the most evil regimes of the
modern world. Now living in
a free world, they both share
how the power of the Gospel
has impacted their lives since
escaping North Korea, and
how the Word of God reaches across the borders of a
nation where to be a Christian is punishable by death.
Sammy’s Story: Plucked from
Hell
“My life there was empty,” recalls Sammy of his
existence in North Korea. “People in North Korea are
living empty and meaningless lives.”
The decision to leave North Korea is never made
lightly as it may end in your death or imprisonment.
In Sammy’s case, it was even more complicated
because he had loyally served in the military for more
than 12 years.
The path that led Sammy from his life in North
Korea to his final decision to escape is one wrought
with pain and loss. He had lost both of his parents
while serving in the military and, after being discharged,
nearly starved to death. Sammy knew that
his family could lead a better life outside of the confines
of the Kim regime.
In the summer of 2007, Sammy, along with his
wife and 14-month-old daughter, left their home for a
future in an unknown world.
The journey was daunting, beginning with a
40-mile trek to the Tumen River, the border between
North Korea and China. It was the rainy season, and
floods delayed the family’s escape by several days.
By this time, the police had distributed flyers and
were searching intently for the runaway family who
was hiding in a friend’s home.
On June 19, after 15 days of waiting in hiding for
the flood waters to subside, Sammy and his family
ventured out to cross the river into China.
Tragically, Sammy’s daughter, LeiSung, drowned
in the struggle to make it through the water.
“My wife lost her mind and she couldn’t remove
our daughter’s (body) from her back.”
Overcome by grief, Sammy and his wife were
forced to learn to live in a world without their daughter.
He purchased a blue teddy bear and gave it to his
wife in memory of their daughter: “Since that time, the
6 PERSECU ION.org
NOVEMBER 2016
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN