The Hard Road Out: One Woman’s Escape From North Korea by Jihyun Park & Seh-lynn Chai

Author:Jihyun Park & Seh-lynn Chai [Park, Jihyun & Chai, Seh-lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008541422
Google: B01UEAAAQBAJ
Published: 2022-05-26T07:28:15+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Jihyun has been invited to attend the Asian Women of Achievement awards ceremony. In her application, which she’d submitted a few months earlier, she wrote of her commitment to raise awareness about the situation in North Korea. Her expectations weren’t high but she was glad to have done it, and she was thrilled to have been invited to the event.

I’m so excited I send her an SMS:

‘Any news?’

It’s late. My kids are in bed, the table’s set for breakfast and the front door is locked. Standing at the bottom of the staircase, I’m about to set the alarm and go upstairs when the screen of my mobile phone lights up, catching my eye:

‘Bit disappointed, didn’t receive Social and Humanitarian award.’

That’s a pity. But Jihyun is so strong, she won’t be devastated. This is nothing compared to what she’s already lived through. Yet this is the first time I’ve ever heard her express disappointment, and my heart breaks a little. What should I say to her? How can I console her? She was so deserving of that award …

‘So sorry, Jihyun, but it was such a great honour just to have been one of the finalists.’

‘True. You’re right. Thank you.’

I’m still standing there at the foot of the stairs, mobile in hand. Should I send her a long note to comfort her? Call her right away to talk, or simply go to bed for now and plan to call her tomorrow? Finally, I make up my mind: I’ll send her a brief ‘Good night, talk to you tomorrow.’ But just as I’m about to start typing, I see the number 3 next to Jihyun’s name. Three text messages? What’s happened in the past few moments?

‘My name’s been called.’

‘Chairman’s Award?’

‘About to receive Chairman’s Award. They’re calling me to the podium. Will phone you later.’

My throat tightens. I muffle my cry of joy because it’s twenty-two minutes past midnight and everyone’s asleep. My head is spinning because I have to keep silent, but my heart is bursting with happiness. This is about more than just winning an award, it’s about more than trophies and speeches and photographs. It’s about being recognised for eight years of relentless work. That’s why my heart is pounding so. What a stupendous moment, a real sign of hope. And what an accomplishment – the 2018 Asian Women of Achievement Award!

AWA has been honouring female victims of violence who denounce crimes against humanity since 1999. Today, 10 May 2018, Jihyun has received the Chairman’s Award in recognition of her optimism, her ability to inspire and serve as a model for the next generation and her drive to change the world.

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