Exodus21 Leader Protests for Defectors
by Choi Seung Hyeon (vaidale@chosun.com)
Protests requesting the release of the some 80 North Korean defectors being held in custody by Chinese authorities are spreading worldwide, and one of the links of the chain of protest is Reverend Shin Dong-chul of peace project Exodus21.
Reverend Shin who held a candlelight demonstration in front of the Chinese Consul in Los Angeles on Wednesday with over 150 Americans said that on February 23, protests will be staged in eleven cities around the world including Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, and Vancouver. "I will spread the protests for the release of the defectors to over 100 cities around the world by the end of the year," he said.
The reverend said that he thought delivering opinions continually, even with one protest participant, was effective. As American citizen, he lives in Los Angeles and connects with NGOs throughout the world that are interested in the North Korean defector issue. Shin Dong-chul is known as the "pioneer of the Mongolian route." For three years now, he has helped North Korean defectors to leave via Mongolia. So far, over 500 persons have used the "Mongolian route." In 2000, he was held in custody by Mongolian border authorities with seven escapees for a week.
Because of his "greater calling," the reverend spends approximately five months a year outside of home, in South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asian countries. "I get strength from the fact that my wife understands," he said.
German Doctor Norbert Vollersten, whom he sees whenever he is in South Korea or Japan, is one of his close collaborators. He said that the German activist had many ideas. "I try to realize his ideas and connect people who have the same purposes."
Reverend Shin said that when the North Korean defector problem is solved after reunification, he wanted to work for Chinese humanitarian movements, and is currently making network contacts with Falun Gong, the Tibet Independence Movement, and Chinese democratization sympathizers. "If we look around, there are many people who need our attention," he said with a smile.
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