65 North and South Korean students
have completed a cycle marathon. Launched on July 17th by Young
Defectors’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights, the group headed out for the purpose of finding out what “unification” means
to them.
Despite a week of intense humidity and baking
heat exceeding 30℃, the group pedalled for 200 km from Seoul through Uijeongbu, Yeoncheon and Paju,
finally arriving at Imjingak on the inter-Korean border on the afternoon of the 19th.
Every student crossed the finishing line.
Daily NK met Lee Ji Young, one of the organizers. A defector, this
was Lee’s second time as part of a “unification bicycle marathon” since coming to South Korea. Whereas she cycled the first time, this
time she helped with planning and implementation, and got a different
experience as a result.
For students who can only abstractly grasp
the idea of unification, she said that the event provides a chance to think over the
reality. “I believe that once
young people open their minds, the world can change,” she said. “I now look
forward to a unified Korea.”
“I used to think that
North Korean people were strong and South Korean students were weak,” she went on. “But
this is definitely not true. Not one single student gave up on the marathon. I
underestimated their potential!”
As a member of organizing staff, Lee said that it was
comforting to see North and South Korean students overcome their minor
linguistic and cultural differences in order to grow closer together.
As a defector, she emphasized: “Defectors are the shortcut to a successful
unification. If we cannot successfully settle in the South and just wander
like droplets of oil on water, how can unification be achieved?” Reflecting on her own responsibility, she said, “I must be prepared myself first and then become a role model
for others. I need to keep learning and experiencing to act as a step towards
unification.”
“By cycling 200km together,” she concluded, “students overcame hardships
together and were able to shed the prejudices and misunderstandings that separate
the two Koreas. In a way, we were able to achieve our own little unification.
It was a valuable time.”
 Image: Young Defectors’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights |
