Liberty in North Korea
College of Liberal Arts sophomore Jake Shatzer advocates for empowering North Koreans to achieve liberty, and helps Aggies do the same.
By Alix P ’18
Jake Shatzer, sophomore Department of International Studies major, stood face-to-face with one of the most oppressive nations in the world and was never the same.
Living in another culture has significant impacts on people, and for Shatzer, his whole life was defined by his time living in South Korea. During a visit to the Demilitarized Zone, he peered into North Korea and the stories of brutality became real. When he came to study at Texas A&M soon after, he founded the university chapter of Liberty in North Korea (LiNK).
Escaping the most dictatorial country in the world is only half the battle. Most North Koreans escape to China, where unfortunately, they are not always met with open arms. Instead, they are seen as illegal migrants, and if they are found out, they are forcibly returned to North Korea. To avoid this, they settle into jobs or relationships where they are often exploited. That’s where LiNK comes in.
“This organization funds and provides North Koreans’ journey to get safely to South Korea, where they receive asylum and help to resettle into society,” Shatzer said. “When we provide money to LiNK, we have a two-step direct impact on a huge global issue.”
LiNK knows the hardships North Korean refugees face. This non-profit employs people to travel to China, identify North Korean refugees that want to live elsewhere, and provide for their 3,000 mile journey to freedom for no charge. When Shatzer learned of this effort, he saw that their mission aligned perfectly with the values of selfless service and excellence held at Texas A&M.
“After finding out there wasn’t a direct way to be involved in North Korea freedom efforts here, I decided I wanted to start it myself,” Shatzer said. “We can’t forget the 25 million people that don’t have the basic freedoms we take for granted. They are people just like us; they were simply born into a bad government.”
Shatzer and other members of LiNK
Efforts like those of LiNK, Shatzer believes, have the potential to promote lasting change through the people of North Korea. Once freed, refugees often send money and foreign information to their families, which can create substantial change from within.
“We want to work together with North Koreans. We are empowering them, not saving them,” Shatzer said. “They are the ones that can rise up and create lasting change and a meaningful impact. We want to see these innocent people remembered as our political leaders make decisions concerning North Korea.”
Partnering with LiNK provides an outlet of advocacy for those who cannot advocate for themselves. One rescue mission for a North Korean costs $3000, and the organization has raised half that amount in only one year.
“Our goal is to fund at least one person’s journey to freedom,” Shatzer said. “But even more important than that, we want people to know about the issues. Spreading awareness is the first step to lasting change.”
Shatzer saw a need, a void, and a solution. He embodies the Aggie core value of selfless service and the College of Liberal Arts’ value of creative problem-solving. When you combine these things, the impact can be monumental.
Learn more about Texas A&M’s chapter of LiNK here.