An increase in awareness of North Korean human rights violations was reflected by the ample and diverse turnout at the Penn Liberation in North Korea group's screening of Seoul Train, a film that depicts the plight of North Korean refugees.
LiNK, an international grassroots organization with more than 70 chapters, screened the independent documentary last night in Logan Hall. According to College junior and LiNK founder Jennifer Jun, students are exhibiting a "greater passion for human rights issues around the world."
Seoul Train, an award-winning film, documents the plight of North Korean refugees seeking political asylum in China and South Korea.
To avoid capture and repatriation by the Chinese government, refugees travel through an underground railroad comparable to the one used during the American Civil War era.
Specifically, the film follows the success and failure of two different families on their quest for freedom.
By addressing the failures of these underground missions, the film shows the harsh realities surrounding this human rights issue, Engineering freshman Michelle Czarniak said.
According to College senior Alex Eppstein, it is time for Penn students to start educating ourselves about the world's problems, since Penn students are the future leaders who will be in positions to create solutions. Eppstein also noted the importance of student involvement in addressing this "complex problem."
This issue is "something to which a lot of college students should be exposed," he said.
The screening was followed by a panel discussion led by History professor Milan Hejtmanek, Political Science professor Henry Teune and U.S. Committee on Human Rights in North Korea researcher David Hawk.
The speakers provided a historical context for the present-day crisis in North Korea.
"All victories of human rights were tough victories," Teune said, urging students to take action against human-rights violations.
In addition to Penn students, the approximately 150 audience members came from Drexel University, Temple University, Bryn Mawr College and Abington High School.
The students from Abington were members of the Abington Asian American Association, which is headed by faculty adviser and Penn alumnus Paul Auh.
Donations received from attendants will be given to a shelter for children of women who are victims of the sex trafficking industry.
