Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based out of
Torrance, California,
United States, and
Seoul,
South Korea. The organization rescues
North Korean refugees hiding in
China and resettles them in South Korea or the United States, so that they can avoid being forcibly
repatriated back to North Korea, where they can face harsh punishments as a result of illegally emigrating. The refugees first travel from China to
Southeast Asia through what the organization calls a modern-day "
Underground Railroad", where they can then be processed and travel to South Korea (or occasionally, the United States) where they are recognized as refugees. From there, LiNK helps the refugees through its resettlement programs. Each rescue costs approximately $3,000
USD, and includes $500 for resettlement programs. As of October 2015, LiNK has resettled 400 refugees throughout the U.S. and South Korea.