Lee Ae-ran facts for kids
| Lee Ae-ran | |
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Quick facts for kids Korean name |
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| Hangul |
이애란
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| Revised Romanization | I Aeran |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ri Aeran |
Lee Ae-ran (Hangul: 이애란; born in 1964) is a brave activist from North Korea. When she was young, her grandparents moved to South Korea. Because of this, Lee Ae-ran and her family were sent to a special camp in North Korea. She stayed there for eight years.
In 1997, she managed to escape to South Korea. This happened after a relative in America wrote a book. The book mentioned that Lee Ae-ran's father was involved in efforts against the North Korean government.
Contents
Helping Others and Achieving Goals
Supporting North Korean Students
In 2005, Lee Ae-ran started the Global Leadership Scholarship Program. This program helps students from North Korea. It gives them scholarships to learn English. This helps them get a good education and build new lives.
A Pioneer in Politics
In 2008, Lee Ae-ran made history. She became the first person who had left North Korea to run for a seat in the National Assembly. The National Assembly is like the parliament or congress in South Korea. It is where laws are made.
Earning a Doctorate Degree
In 2009, Lee Ae-ran achieved another important milestone. She became the first woman who had left North Korea to earn a doctorate degree. She studied food and nutrition at Ewha Womans University. This is a very respected university in South Korea.
Empowering Women
Also in 2009, Lee Ae-ran founded the Hana Defector Women's Organization. This group is an NGO, which means it is a non-governmental organization. It helps North Korean women who live in South Korea. The organization offers job training, help with childcare, and support for education. It also teaches them about human rights.
Promoting Culture and Human Rights
Sharing Food Culture
Since 2012, Lee Ae-ran has been in charge of the North Korean Traditional Food Institute. This institute teaches people who have left North Korea new job skills. It also tries to bring North and South Korea closer together. They do this by teaching about the food culture of Pyongyang, which is the capital of North Korea.
Standing Up for Refugees
Also in 2012, Lee Ae-ran led a peaceful protest. For 18 days, she did not eat in front of the Chinese embassy. This was to protest against North Korean refugees being sent back to North Korea from China. She wanted to protect their safety.
Awards and Recognition
In 2010, Lee Ae-ran received a special honor. She was given the International Women of Courage award. This award recognizes women around the world who show great bravery and leadership. They work to make their communities better.
See also
In Spanish: Lee Ae-ran para niños
