The 5th Annual MPAK Gala Held to Raise Funds for Orphans and Vulnerable Children of North Korean Escapee Women

MPAK held its 5th Annual Fundraising Gala to raise funds for the orphans and vulnerable children of North Korean escapee women on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the City Club Los Angeles, with 300 people in attendance.

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According to a 2008 United States Congressional report, approximately 70 percent of North Korean refugees are women. Of these women, 80 percent have been trafficked - bought and sold like a commodity in black markets for brides or sex slaves.

According to UNHCR, there are approximately 20,000 to 30,000 children that are born from the escaped North Korean women. And many of these mothers are captured and repatriated back to North Korea, and the children would grow up without mothers.  Many fathers abandon the families, or have special needs and simply unable to work, and the hardship suffered by the children is staggering.

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MPAK strongly believes the only way for these children to have a chance at life is through education. So the main purpose of this year’s fundraising was to provide scholarship funds for them to go to colleges or vocational schools.  While MPAK cannot reach thousands of children, at least we can try to reach and help some.

Our hands are small, but our collective heart was big, with over $260,000 raised for the children.

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Ms. Connie Chung, a daughter of North Korean escapee parents, was the keynote speaker.  She shared her childhood difficulties and being homeless.  With some help, she overcame her obstacles and went to Harvard and graduated with a Doctorate degree. Her story moved many hearts to tears. She was a testament on how a little help can go very far.

The 20th Annual MPAK Christmas Celebration for Adoptive and Foster Families, and Volunteers

MPAK is celebrating 20th Christmas with adoptive and foster families on Saturday, December 7, 2019.

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Date:  Saturday, December 7, 2019, Time:  5 - 9 PM
Place: Orange Canaan Presbyterian Church (오렌지 가나안 장로교회)
Address:  940 West Wilshire Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92707

There is plenty of parking spaces in the back of the church.

We want to honor all the volunteers that served in either the retreat and the gala. 

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A special Magic Show by Mr. Minh Tran will entertain all the kids and adults alike.

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Mr. Yungbum Jeong was a nine years old boy when he was adopted by an MPAK family in Korea 20 years ago when MPAK first began.  Over the years Yungbum and MPAK grew together.  Today, Youngbum has become a premier Bipa (Korean Mandolin) player in Korea.  He gave a stirring performance that impressed everyone in the room.