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2017.06.28
| Won | Pyongyang | Sinuiju | Hyesan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange Rate | 8,070 | 8,050 | 8,095 |
| Rice Price | 5,800 | 6,000 | 5,900 |
“Defectors are the most vulnerable people in this world, and as such many are not able to speak up for themselves. That is why we are calling upon the Chinese government and people on their behalf. Please stop repatriating defectors to North Korea!”
[imText1]These were the words with which actor Cha In Pyo, standing in front of the Chinese embassy in Seoul, called for an end to forced repatriations on February 21. This was not a publicity stunt; the sincerity was visible as well as audible to anyone who could see the tears welling up in his eyes. But why does he care so much when others do not?
It started with his appearance in the 2008 film Crossing, a tragic tale about a North Korean man who escaped the country in search of medicine for his sick wife. It was via his role as the film’s protagonist, Kim Young Su, that Cha came to know about the human rights issues of North Korean defectors.
At a preview screening of Crossing, Cha met a group of refugee students from Yeomyung School, an alternative school set up to educate defectors, escorted by their vice-principal, Jo Myeong Sook. Cha made the decision to support the young students and their school, and his activities since have greatly influenced him.
For ‘Uncle Cha’, as he is known to the students at Yeomyung, the pain of these children is a constant reminder that the safety of today’s detained defectors is a very serious concern.
Most of the celebrities who gathered outside the Chinese embassy on Tuesday to oppose the forced repatriation of defectors directly support Yeomyung in some way. In turn, they all say that the influence of Cha In Pyo and his wife, Shin Ae Ra, was enormous in building their connection with Yeomyung.
Jo Myeong Sook, who is still with the school, told Daily NK yesterday, “Mr. Cha has continuously supported the school (since the screening of Crossing) and the children now think of him as their uncle. Shin Ae Ra has done a lot for us, too.”
According to Jo, the activist couple has been supporting the school without much fanfare since 2008. In 2010 they even persuaded some of their famous friends to participate in a celebrity bazaar to raise funds for school upkeep.
“The celebrity bazaar they held raised more than $13,000 for the students. Two thirds was proceeds from sales of celebrity merchandise, and one third was a direct donation from Cha and Shin out of their own pockets.” As an additional bonus to Yeomyung, all the unsold items from the bazaar were donated to the school.
Elsewhere, Shin Ae Ra has visited Yeomyung to prepare meals, and has even helped those interested in learning the piano to obtain lessons through an associate of hers.
“I’ve seen Mrs. Shin making rice, stir-fried potatoes and kimchi for 50 people in two giant cauldrons; that was very moving,” says Jo.
Musicians Joo Young Hoon, Hwang Bo and Shim Tae Yoon are just some of the other names to have appeared at students’ birthday parties or end of year gatherings at the school. One half of hip-hop group Jinusean – the ‘Sean’ half, actually –gives clothes to the kids from his own fashion label, ‘Lilsean’.
Comedienne Lee Seong Mi has also visited the school in person to pledge her support, and now sends winter clothing there, and in the winter of 2010 she took all the students to fellow comedian Lee Hong Ryeol’s ‘Kraze Burger’ outlet in the Hong Ik University area of town.
“If it weren’t for Cha and Shin, these defector students wouldn’t be getting so much attention from all these other celebrities,” Jo comments gratefully. “Thanks to them we get a lot of support from the high-profile people that are introduced to us.”
[imText1]These were the words with which actor Cha In Pyo, standing in front of the Chinese embassy in Seoul, called for an end to forced repatriations on February 21. This was not a publicity stunt; the sincerity was visible as well as audible to anyone who could see the tears welling up in his eyes. But why does he care so much when others do not?
It started with his appearance in the 2008 film Crossing, a tragic tale about a North Korean man who escaped the country in search of medicine for his sick wife. It was via his role as the film’s protagonist, Kim Young Su, that Cha came to know about the human rights issues of North Korean defectors.
At a preview screening of Crossing, Cha met a group of refugee students from Yeomyung School, an alternative school set up to educate defectors, escorted by their vice-principal, Jo Myeong Sook. Cha made the decision to support the young students and their school, and his activities since have greatly influenced him.
For ‘Uncle Cha’, as he is known to the students at Yeomyung, the pain of these children is a constant reminder that the safety of today’s detained defectors is a very serious concern.
Most of the celebrities who gathered outside the Chinese embassy on Tuesday to oppose the forced repatriation of defectors directly support Yeomyung in some way. In turn, they all say that the influence of Cha In Pyo and his wife, Shin Ae Ra, was enormous in building their connection with Yeomyung.
Jo Myeong Sook, who is still with the school, told Daily NK yesterday, “Mr. Cha has continuously supported the school (since the screening of Crossing) and the children now think of him as their uncle. Shin Ae Ra has done a lot for us, too.”
According to Jo, the activist couple has been supporting the school without much fanfare since 2008. In 2010 they even persuaded some of their famous friends to participate in a celebrity bazaar to raise funds for school upkeep.
“The celebrity bazaar they held raised more than $13,000 for the students. Two thirds was proceeds from sales of celebrity merchandise, and one third was a direct donation from Cha and Shin out of their own pockets.” As an additional bonus to Yeomyung, all the unsold items from the bazaar were donated to the school.
Elsewhere, Shin Ae Ra has visited Yeomyung to prepare meals, and has even helped those interested in learning the piano to obtain lessons through an associate of hers.
“I’ve seen Mrs. Shin making rice, stir-fried potatoes and kimchi for 50 people in two giant cauldrons; that was very moving,” says Jo.
Musicians Joo Young Hoon, Hwang Bo and Shim Tae Yoon are just some of the other names to have appeared at students’ birthday parties or end of year gatherings at the school. One half of hip-hop group Jinusean – the ‘Sean’ half, actually –gives clothes to the kids from his own fashion label, ‘Lilsean’.
Comedienne Lee Seong Mi has also visited the school in person to pledge her support, and now sends winter clothing there, and in the winter of 2010 she took all the students to fellow comedian Lee Hong Ryeol’s ‘Kraze Burger’ outlet in the Hong Ik University area of town.
“If it weren’t for Cha and Shin, these defector students wouldn’t be getting so much attention from all these other celebrities,” Jo comments gratefully. “Thanks to them we get a lot of support from the high-profile people that are introduced to us.”
