My grandfather escaped from North Korea during the 1950s by riding on top of trains and eventually riding a cargo boat into South Korea. Apparently the owner of the boat had to throw all the cargo overboard to accomodate everyone. He took a group of women from his village and escaped with his life, leaving behind his now-dead family. I am overwhelmed by the fact that if he didn't escape when he did, I would be in one of the prison camps doing hard labor and sorting through animal feces for undigested corn. Thanks for linking this article, now I have renewed my interest in the past and have requested family in South Korea to send me a copy of our family tree. Grandfather is now gone, and I wish he lived today, so I could say my thanks and hug him.