Escape from North Korea

The exodus of North Korean defectors into China began in late 1990s after a severe famine. The unpredictable journey can take weeks, months or even years. Chinese police routinely hunt for North Koreans attempting to escape cross-country. If they are caught while escaping in China and Laos, they will be repatriated to Communist North Korea, facing severe labor camps or capital punishment. Magnum photographer Chien-Chi Chang traveled with the defectors to document the darkest journey from 2007 to 2009. To date, he has continued to document the plight of North Korean defectors.