by Helie (Hae-Ri) Lee, 2002
True Story about the defection of a family of 9 from North Korea with the aid of Hae-Ri andd her father, in order to reunite her Grandmother (Halmoni) with her eldest son – left in Korea in the 1950’s during the war. They used the help of the Guide, an unnamed Korean man, who knew all the Ins and outs. Bribed many guards, and led the family across the Yalu River into China. They didn’t come at one time. First, three members came and then about a month later, the other 6 came. Hae-Ri is about 34 years old in 1997 when she instigates the plan for her grandmother who is 85 and may not live too much longer.
Hae-Ri was born in S. Korea but moved to L.A. when she was 4 years old (1968). She wrote a book before this called ‘Still LIfe with Rice’ that was about her grandmother’s escape to South Korea during the Korean War. It was that book that put her uncle’s life in danger in N. Korea.
Interesting book. Halmoni is Christian. Helie writes: “Should I ever doubt that God is great, please let me remember this day.” When the family is finally reunited in Seoul with Halmoni. Sincere hope for REUNIFICATION throughout the book.