Escape from North Korea

Event Details
CHINA. Yanji. 2007. This North Korea defector stole across the frozen Tumen at night. In China, he hid in a church shelter, fearing arrest and deportation.
Still fearful of revealing his name or face, a defector takes a break from studying for a medical exam in a home as unsettled as his prospects. A doctor in North Korea, the new South Korean citizen is finding that much of his training doesn't translate. But every day reminds him of why he came so far: "Here I'm free to talk, to look, and to never worry about food again."
CHINA. 2007. The Tumen remains a tourist attraction with a riverfront promenade in which the visitors can gaze across into North Korea.
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February 18 - March 17, 2012, Taipei, Taiwan

Escape from North Korea

The exodus of North Korean defectors into China began in late 1990s after a severe famine that destroyed at least one million of its 23 million people. Once they cross the border to China, they'll be in hiding and waiting to embark on an extremely secretive, dangerous escape route, known as Asia's Underground Railroad from northern China all the way to Laos, crossing Mekong River, to Thailand and finally to South Korea.

The unpredictable journey can take weeks, months or even years. Chinese police routinely hunt for North Koreans attempting to escape cross-country. Police crackdowns can net hundreds of victims. If they are caught while escaping in China and Laos, they will be repatriated to totalitarian North Korea, facing severe labor camps or capital punishment. Magnum photographer Chien-Chi Chang traveled with the defectors to document the darkest journey in 2007 and 2008. To date, He has continued to document the plight of North Korean defectors.　

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When & Where

February 18 - March 17, 2012

TheCube Project Space
2F. No. 13, Alley 1, Lane 136 / Roosevelt Rd.
Taipei
Taiwan

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