Book Review: Escape from North Korea

“Pil Soo Kim stood half-naked in the ice-cold Tumen river.  Only thirty meters separated him from China.  He was shivering but he had to go on.  His family was starving.  There, on the other side of the freezing water, he could at least get some food.  Many questions plagued him, ‘Are the border police watching me at this moment through their binoculars?  What if I’m caught?  They will kill me.  What will happen to Myung Hee and the children? …At the same time, Pil Soo felt guilty. ‘I am betraying my country.’ Danger was always present in crossing the border illegally.  But there was no other way.”

This was his last resort. Escape From North Korea is a true story that gives a contemporary glimpse behind the walls of ‘the Hermit Kingdom.’  Every year North Korea tops Open Doors’ World Watch List of countries that restrict Christians in practicing or sharing their faith.  Many of North Korea’s twenty million are engaged in the desperate quest for food, love and freedom.

About a month ago, I felt the urge from God to read this book.  From the first page till the very last word I was enthralled.  This book captured the crisis North Koreans are facing each and every day.   It may seem that you are reading a history book, like about WWII and the Nazis, but it isn’t.   It’s actually happening right now…in 2009.

After reading this book, my eyes were opened to looking at life through a different lens and my compassion level grew in a whole new way; especially for the North Koreans, persecuted Christians, and field workers who work with refugees.  I remember the anger and frustration that I felt afterwards.  Then, in the midst of all my mixed emotions, God said to me, “Then, get off your butt and start doing something about it.”

I don’t know why God has suddenly put the urge on my heart to read the book that day.  But I’m sure glad that He did. Escape from North Korea gave me the insight I needed to understand the tragedy and corruption the North Koreans, our brothers and sisters in Christ, are currently facing.  It paints a clear picture of the details one has to go through to reach freedom.  Even in the midst of pain, tragedy and hardship, we see God’s constant hand of protection and provision over His people.

The day I finished the book was the day a movement began in my heart.   No longer can I sit and be silent anymore.  A wise friend of mine came up with a phrase that is constantly ringing over and over again in my head, “Be the voice to the voiceless.” God knew what He was doing when He had me pick up the book and read it — He knew I needed to understand the complexities of the situation in order for me to do something about it.  This book is a great start to learn how as part of the body of Christ, we can come together to start a movement and be an advocate for those suffering at the hands of Kim Jung Il.

Luke 4:18-19 “The spirit of the Lord is on me because He has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lords favor.”

This month has been dedicated to North Korea and I hope you will order this book.  If you have read this book, post a comment on your thoughts, tell your friends, pray and become a voice to the voiceless!

Order the book by clicking HERE!