About the Report

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Part 1 - NK Intro
intro, in-depth, resources

Part 2 - Famine I
intro, in-depth, resources

Part 3 - Famine II
intro, in-depth, resources

Part 4 - Health
intro, in-depth, resources

Part 5 - Children
intro, in-depth, resources

Part 6 - Christianity
intro, in-depth, resources

Part 7 - Brainwashing
intro, in-depth, resources

Part 8 - Refugees
intro, in-depth, resources

Part 9 - Female refugees
intro, in-depth, resources

Part 10 - Current efforts
intro, in-depth, resources

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Week 8 - NK Refugees

The Tumen River runs in-between North Korea (left) and China.

The 815 mile-long (1311 km) Tumen River separates the eastern part North Korea from China. For many starving North Koreans, the Tumen River is also what separates them from life and death. Hundreds will cross the river illegally in the wee hours of the night for a chance at a better life. China is seen as a land of opportunity, where people can seek food, money and bare necessities.

Some go with the intention of returning and helping out their family back home. Others go seeking to remain in China despite the threat of local and North Korean authorities hunting for them. They face the possibility of death if they are discovered and sent back to North Korea, but many feel they are already condemned to die because of the horrible living conditions they've had to endure.

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