Songmi Han's birthday 2021

If you look at the photo attached to this fundraiser, Songmi Han is the smallest person in the photo. People who know her well, however, will know that she may be the one with the biggest heart. Few know about the struggle she went through in order to survive North Korea and to get to freedom in South Korea.

After keeping her story and struggles inside for nine years, she opened up to two people--and I am one of them. Earlier this year we began working together on her book, titled, "Greenlight to Freedom."

I had met Songmi earlier in 2019 when she wanted to join Freedom Speakers International (FSI) as a student. Her smile lit up the room, her eagerness to improve her English amazed every volunteer who worked with her.

I immediately became one of her fans. In addition to being a student, she also worked in the FSI office for several months as a special assistant.

It was in those conversations at the office that I noticed that she had so many incredible stories about North Korea and that she is also a fantastic storyteller. When she told me that she trusted me to tell her story in a book, but that she had no idea how to write a book, I couldn't refuse, although I know how difficult it is to write a book. I have had opportunities over the years to collaborate with others, but it wasn't until Songmi that I decided to take on the challenge.

She is telling her story in the book so I won't get into details, but readers will cry about some of the things that she went through but they will also be amused by the way she tells her story despite the many challenges.

We are about 75 to 80% finished with the tough editing process.

For her birthday tomorrow, I asked if she wanted to skip working on the book, but she said no. So for her birthday tomorrow, we will be wrestling with the text.

For her birthday, please pre-order the book. Every time someone orders the book in advance (to both support the book as well as her favorite organization, Freedom Speakers International), it boosts her confidence that people will be ready to read her story. It isn't easy opening up about her life in North Korea. It has taken her 10 years to do so. If you were born in a Western country, you probably have been told there is a good book in you, and/or you might have encouraged others to write a book. But for North Koreans, when do they think about writing a book? Only a handful of the 34,000 North Koreans who have escaped from North Korea have written books. Songmi will become one of that handful, and you will be able to say that you were part of the process of her publishing her book.

You can donate $15 to this fundraiser to receive a digital copy after the book is published. You can donate $25 for the paperback copy for shipping within the USA, $35 for shipping outside of the USA, and $75 for an autographed copy to be shipped anywhere in the world. We will be distributing the book on a first-order, first-ship basis, so pre-order your copy so you can be one of the first to read her story.

North Korean refugee Songmi Han will be publishing the book "Greenlight to Freedom" in February 2022. She has told her story to only three people, but her inspiring story will now be told.

Pledge US$ 15 or more: Receive a digital copy of the book.

Pledge US$ 25 or more: (Shipping within the USA) Receive a paperback copy.

Pledge US$ 35 or more (Shipping outside the USA): Receive a paperback copy.

Due to shipping costs associated with COVID, it is difficult for us to send signed copies of books outside of South Korea where the co-authors live. If you would like a signed copy, then please contact us to discuss options (book+shipping costs). We had previously been charging $75 for shipping signed copies to the USA.