Freedom Speakers International

Freedom Speakers International (FSI) co-founders Eunkoo Lee and Casey Lartigue and FSI volunteer Kara Mac Donald ran FSI's booth over the weekend at the 33rd annual KOTESOL Conference at Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul.

On Sunday, they were joined by North Korean refugee authors Songmi Han and Sharon Jang on Day 2.

Day 2 at KOTESOL, featuring Songmi & Sharon (2026-05-17) | Casey Lartigue Day 2 at KOTESOL, featuring Songmi & Sharon (2026-05-17) by Casey Lartigue on Patreon. Join Casey Lartigue's community for exclusive content and updates.

Freedom Speakers International (FSI) co-founders Eunkoo Lee and Casey Lartigue and FSI volunteer Kara Mac Donald ran FSI's booth over the weekend at the 33rd annual KOTESOL Conference at Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul.

On Sunday, they were joined by North Korean refugee authors Songmi Han and Sharon Jang on Day 2.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/day-2-at-kotesol-158499184

We are resuming our fundraiser for North Korean refugee single moms needing help with paying education expenses!

According to South Korea’s Ministry of Unification, 72% of North Korean refugees are women. At Freedom Speakers International (FSI), 76% of our students have been women.

Please join us in giving- every bit helps!

MOTHER’S DAY FUNDRAISER for North Korean Refugee Single Moms
https://donate.lovefsi.com/Single-Moms

75% of North Korean refugee Keynote Speakers and authors in Freedom Speakers International are women.

For many North Korean refugee single moms, the greatest need isn’t more gifts for their children. It’s saving for their children’s education and future.

Your support goes directly to North Korean refugee single moms in Freedom Speakers International to help them save for their children’s future.

“One mother thankfully accepts all gifts but explained that her son loves the new toys for about a day. When I began to probe deeper, she and other North Korean refugee parents would talk about actual needs, such as having money for private academy classes or being able to save enough money for college.”

— Casey Lartigue
Chairman, Freedom Speakers International

TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION IN SOUTH KOREA
Freedom Speakers International is a registered nonprofit organization in South Korea.
Your donation is tax-deductible.

TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION IN THE USA
Freedom Speakers International is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Your donation is tax-deductible.

https://donate.lovefsi.com/Single-Moms

2026 Supporting North Korean Refugee Single Moms FSI co-founder Casey Lartigue wrote: * According to South Korea's Ministry of Unification, 72% of North Korean refugees are women.  * At Freedom Speakers International (FSI), 76% of our students have been women.  Building on this foundation, FSI is launching a campaign to support single mo...

Apply now for the opportunity to tutor a North Korean refugee single mom in English.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqCGSdOPbVjtJcx3xNAfmeEVRtUImShjmj03FQukAPg6bmdA/viewform

The orientation for applicants is on Sunday May 10, 10 a.m. KST.

We will follow that orientation with an Open House Q&A with the co-founders of FSI.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/songmis-dance-in-156653431

From FSI co-founder Casey Lartigue Jr.:
May is "Get Caught Reading" Month,' sponsored by Every Child A Reader.

I would like to suggest that you "Get Caught Reading" memoirs by North Korean refugees.

Here are four that Freedom Speakers International has published. They are all great, but my personal favorite is the first one, Greenlight to Freedom.

"Greenlight to Freedom: A North Korean Daughter's Search for Her Mother and Herself: by Songmi Han and Casey Lartigue
https://www.amazon.com/Greenlight-Freedom-Korean-Daughters-Herself-ebook/dp/B09SPVHGQF

Girl with Black Makeup: Escapee from North Korea by Sharon Jang
https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Black-Makeup-Escapee-North-ebook/dp/B0CZKVJB59/

Strongest Soldier of North Korea by Yeongnam Eom
https://www.amazon.com/Strongest-Soldier-North-Korea-Yeongnam/dp/B0DG343WPD/

My Father's North Korea Story: Walk to Freedom
by Won-chae Han and Bong-hee Han
https://www.amazon.com/My-Fathers-North-Korea-Story/dp/B09SPDWVNS/r

Here are other books that mention me and I also highly recommend:

In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park and Maryanne Vollers
https://www.amazon.com/Order-Live-Korean-Journey-Freedom-ebook/dp/B00SI0B5EY/

While Time Remains by Yeonmi Park
https://www.amazon.com/While-Time-Remains-Defectors-Freedom-ebook/dp/B0B3Y83SNT/

The Courage To Die: A North Korean Woman’s Escape and Rebirth in Freedom by Eunhee Park
https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Die-Korean-Rebirth-Freedom-ebook/dp/B0G39XVRL2/

and co-edited by me and Eunkoo Lee
Escape from North Korea, New Beginnings in South Korea: 20 North Korean Refugees Reflect on the Hanawon Resettlement Center
https://www.amazon.com/Escape-North-Korea-Beginnings-South/dp/B0D941TZNC/

Want to learn about the real North Korea?

Invite a North Korean refugee keynote speaker from Freedom Speakers International.

Our speakers share firsthand accounts of daily life in North Korea, escape, and rebuilding life beyond propaganda and headlines. They have presented at universities, conferences, and institutions worldwide.

Featured speakers include:
• Songmi Han, co-author of Greenlight to Freedom
• Myeonghee Kim, keynote speaker
• Sharon Jang, author of Girl with Black Makeup
• Sujin Kim, keynote speaker
• Yeongnam “Ken” Eom, author of Strongest Soldier of North Korea

Request a speaker here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrnCmzpkJcLoPgFpgDBocWX1QLILjzamW9sp0gCdXJQFkeEQ/viewform

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