SEOUL, May 27 (Yonhap) — A South Korean film depicting the harsh reality of life for North Korean defectors premiered Tuesday in Seoul.

혻 혻 A special advanced screening of “Crossing” was held late Tuesday at the parliament, attended by North Korean human rights groups and some prominent South Korean legislators.

혻혻 The first advanced screening was at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., as part of North Korea Freedom Week in late April.

혻혻 “I came here with a heavy heart, knowing that what I’m about to see today is worse in reality. I hope that a lot of South Koreans will see this movie and gain a new perspective on the issue between the two Koreas,” said Park Geun-hye, former chairwoman of the ruling Grand National Party, before the film started.

혻혻 The realistic portrayal of a father and a son, desperate to survive, made many in the audience, including Park, wipe away tears.

혻혻 The story, inspired by the dramatic entry of North Korean defector Jang Gil-su and his six relatives into the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office in Beijing in 2001, was shot in South Korea, Mongolia and China between July and September last year.

혻혻 “I give my deepest gratitude to all those who have made efforts in making this movie. I hope this movie will let South Koreans realize this is not a story about ‘them,’ but that of us,” said director Kim Tae-gyun, who was previously known in South Korea for his commercial movies.

혻혻 An increasing number of North Koreans are fleeing their impoverished country and crossing into Vietnam, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries via China, mostly on their way to South Korea.
About 12,000 North Koreans have arrived in South Korea since the three-year Korean War ended in 1953. But China has an agreement with its close communist ally North Korea to repatriate those they consider economic migrants, a policy strongly criticized by human rights groups. Critics say the deported defectors face harsh punishment, including prison and forced labor.

혻혻 “My heart went out to them. I couldn’t hold back my tears. We should help our brothers in any way we can by not linking the issues of North Korean refugees and food aid with political concerns,” said Lee Young-ja, a 41-year-old woman who lives in northern Seoul, after the film ended.

혻혻 “I believe it is time we make a prompt decision on food aid to North Korea. I personally think this is more urgent than the issue of North Korean refugees. We must do all we can to save people from starving to death,” said a sister of the Catholic Church, who declined to give her name.

혻혻 After the final touches are made on the film, it will be released nationwide in South Korea at the end of June, according to director Kim.