We’re back in Minnesota working with local refugee communities to do the doable. And today is all about the Midwest Alliance for North Korean Refugees (Mid ANKR), who we know through our friends at The Progressive North.
There are only 200 North Korean refugees in the United States. And Mid ANKR is a Minnesota based non-profit organization working to protect those refugees through education and advocacy.They’re a small but mighty organization working all over the world to fight for their human rights.
We found out that Mid ANKR was organizing and hosting a Korean Lunar New Year celebration, and we wanted to be a part of it! We decided to join in on the fun and help put on one amazing event.
Mid ANKR was founded by Hyon Kim, who is from South Korea. “My personal story and history made me care about this horrible situation of North Korean refugees,” said Hyon. “I’m doing this for my mom. She perished in North Korea. I want to do this work to honor her.”
We partnered with Hyon to provide all the food and beverages for the celebration, including a songpyeon station. What is a songpyeon you may ask? It’s a traditional Korean rice cake shaped in a half-moon, and one of the most popular homemade Korean dishes for holidays. Guests could make their own and choose from fillings like sesame seeds and honey, sweet red bean paste or chestnut paste.
The party was truly full of joy! People gathered to meet, reunite, and celebrate their Korean heritage.
“In the midst of navigating all of today’s issues, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed,” said Executive Director Lynn Scott, “But there are good things going on. We just have to look for them.”
