CURRENT EPISODE:

9/12/09 LIVE from the 2009 LiNK Gala

United by the common thread of hope for North Korea, speakers shared their belief in the possibility of freedom for all North Koreans.

US Representative Ed Royce (CA) opened the evening, urging attendees to take meaningful action to end the North Korea crisis while the opportunity exists.

LiNK's Vice President of Global Awareness Justin Wheeler looked back on past successes in bringing the first Unaccompanied Refugee Minors to freedom in the US, convincing the Czech Republic government to cease issuing work visas to North Korean forced laborers and helping to resettle 13 of the 94 North Korean refugees currently in the US. Mr. Wheeler also shared LiNK's most recent growth in moving into 2010 with double the support from 2008, over 100 US and 20 international chapters, 400 film screenings since LiNK's relaunch and its first UK tour in the spring of 2010.

The stories of three North Korean refugees whose lives were impacted by LiNK were also revealed through videos and museum-sized displays. Two of these refugees - Joseph Kim and Shin Dong Hyuk - presented the "Light of Liberty" and "Freedom Fighter" awards to US Senator Sam Brownback (KS) and Freedom Now President and DLA Piper partner Jared Genser, respectively, for their work in raising the platform of the North Korean human rights issue.

Lisa Ling and Dr. Paul Song recounted their experience with North Korea, through Ms. Ling's documentary trip to the country with National Geographic and Dr. Song's relief efforts aiding North Korean refugees.

Challenging attendees to match a $150,000 pledge from LiNK's Chapters and Nomads to launch two new programs, LiNK's President Hannah Song revealed plans to bring 100 more North Korean refugees out of the underground and the establishment of a transition home for newly resettled refugees, Liberty House, currently a supplementary assistance program.

Guests also enjoyed a VIP reception with violinist Judy Kang and classical guitar and contemporary rock artist Threefifty Duo, and a silent auction hosted by Judith Ripka featuring designs from her 18k Couture, Sterling Silver and 18k Gold Collections and various pieces of memorabilia, including a Beatles masterpiece collage with facsimile signatures, a Derek Jeter hand signed 16x20 photo and a Bruce Springsteen hand signed electric guitar. Also auctioned were a special swimming clinic with Michael Phelps and tickets to the Bruce Springsteen Final Tour concert with access to the VIP Suite.