Kevin Kwak’s Blog

Liberty in North Korean (LiNK) Presents Shin Dong-Hyuk
There are three exciting events happening in the LA/ OC area that I want to share with you for three main reasons: 1) it’s a very unique opportunity; 2) I feel like this will be of some interest to you; and 3) your support could make a difference.

Who
Shin Dong-Hyun (Shin) was born on Nov. 19, 1982 and called the camp home until 2005. While at the camp, Shin endured daily beatings, torture, starvation-level rations, saw forced abortions and even witnessed the public execution of his mother and brother in 1996. Shin described his life of total isolation from the world: “In South Korea, although there is disappointment and sadness, there is also so much joy, happiness and comfort. In Kaechon, I did not even know such emotions existed. The only emotion I ever knew was fear: fear of beatings, fear of starvation, fear of torture and fear of death.”

Articles on Shin:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071030/FOREIGN/110300055/1001&template=printart
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSEO16870720071029
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1106/p07s01-woap.html
His book: http://book.naver.com/bookdb/book_detail.php?bid=3292618

What
LiNK is hosting a speaking tour for Shin entitled, “Born and Raised in a Concentration Camp,” from Wednesday, April 30 to Wednesday, May 14. Shin will recount his experiences as a North Korean who was born into slavery as a political prisoner in a North Korean concentration camp. Mr. Shin, along with LiNK’s Executive Director Adrian Hong and Deputy Director Hannah Song, will arrive in LA on May 14. For more info: http://www.libertyinnorthkorea.blogspot.com/

Where/ When

UCLA (Westwood), Wed. 5/14, 4:00 - 6:15 PM, Bunche Hall 1209B
Hear Shin’s testimony, watch riveting clips, hear updates from LiNK and ask questions, get answers!

Further details: 405 Hilgard Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90095. [http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/map/directions.htm ]
M-Grill (Koreatown), Wed. 5/14, 8:30PM - 10:30 PM ($20 cover (donation to org.); RSVP necessary. Limited space!)
Come join us for this special after-hours event for your opportunity to meet and speak with Shin more personally, learn more about LiNK, watch film clips, and mingle with other young professionals. Light appetizers will be served. Link to Facebook invite: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=16668681994
UCI (Irvine) Thurs., 5/15, 8:00 - 9:20 AM, Social Science Lab 228.
Hear Shin’s testimony, watch riveting clips, hear updates from LiNK and ask questions, get answers!
Further details: This public event is during a Conflicts Management in Cross-Cultural Perspective course taught by Prof. Paula Garb (Founder and Co-Director of UCI’s Center for Citizen Peacebuilding: http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~cpb/)
E6 on map: http://today.uci.edu/pdf/uci_07_map_campus.pdf

Why
When will you again be given the opportunity to listen to a survivor of a prison camp who is willing to openly share his story so much so that he will come to you (from Korea)? Seize the opportunity to learn, be educated, and discover ways in which you can take action. Thanks in advance for your attendance and support!

Yikes! Prices of bananas (produce), rice, gasoline, utilities bill, are all up. Gasoline prices will continue to go up for few more months and who would’ve ever guessed that a barrel of gasoline would reach $200.

Off-topic: This drummer dude got groove.

Hello everyone,

I planned on writing the blogs on a more frequent basis but things here and there took a lot of my time. I hope that all of you are doing well and in great health.

Heading home from church this afternoon, an aggressive driver abruptly cuts left into my lane when everyone is speeding at around 70mph. (roll eyes) His reckless driving eventually led to a severe car accident right there and then. As soon as the driver came onto my lane, another driver drove to her/his left (to my right) and within seconds, these two drivers crashed into each other. Luckily there was no other car driving close behind me as I had to stomp on that brake pedal. Quickly turned on the hazard light and made my way out of there.

The first thing that came to my mind was “Wow, thank you Lord!” I’m just thankful and lucky to get away from the accident and maintain a low auto insurance rate. Well we know that those drivers will see an increase in their insurance rate.

I’ll cut it short as I’m studying for an exam coming up this week. Wish me luck.
P.S. Please drive carefully.

The Korean leaders from South and North meet at historic summit from October 1st through 4th. I’ll be sure to continue on this blog within this week.

Better if I just link you to the articles: http://summit.korea.net/

A historical event! Imagine what great changes can be brought if the North and the South unified as one. I can only imagine.

Hello everyone,

Have you heard about the “One Laptop Per Child” project that is currently undergoing development? The mission is to deliver these high-tech yet low priced computer notebooks to undeveloped third world countries so that children and young adults can obtain education to advance the lives of their community and eventually their country.

The project’s vision along with other relevant information can be found at http://laptop.org/.

Making a Difference One Child at a Time
The Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118462081476168003-search.html?KEYWORDS=one+laptop&COLLECTION=wsjie/6month
July 17, 2007; Page B4

The nonprofit group One Laptop Per Child has as self-explanatory a title as can be imagined. It was founded in 2005 and is closely associated with Nicholas Negroponte, the former director of the MIT Media Lab.

What are the goals of your group?There are about a billion children in the developing world who don’t have the opportunities they should or could have, and we want to figure out a way to reach them. We think that building an affordable, connected laptop is the way to do it. So we’ve been developing something known as the “Hundred Dollar Laptop,” which is our target price for a few years hence. It’s designed for 6 to 16-year-olds, and has a number of unique features, including a very high resolution sunlight readable display. It runs on two watts of electricity, so it can be powered by solar or by human energy, for kids who live off the grid.

How many are in use right now?
We have about 5,000 machines out in the field now. Our goal is one billion in the developing world. It’s going to take a decade.