The state of Colorado proclaimed July 17th “Durihana Day” after a human rights group. Bill Ritter, the governor of Colorado, did this at the North Korean Refugee Weekend that opened in Denver on the 17th. “To welcome Pastor Chun of Durihana who came all the way to Denver to inform us of the latest news regarding North Korean refugees, I proclaim July 17th ‘Durihana Day.’” Bill Ritter made this proclamation at the North Korean Refugee Weekend that opened in Denver from the 17th to the 20th. Governor Ritter complemented Durihana Church, which was started by Pastor Chun in 1999, for helping nearly eight hundred defectors find their way to the United States, the Republic of Korea, and elsewhere. Governor Ritter particularly emphasized that Durihana helped refugees on the long and dangerous journey to freedom, and in commemoration, proclaimed the 17th as “Durihana Day.” It is uncommon for an American governor to directly encourage a North Korean refugee aid group and proclaim a day after such a group. Democratic governor Bill Ritter is known to be close friends with President Obama, who accepted the Democratic candidacy for president in Denver. On the show “The Sound of America,” which aired on the 22nd, Pastor Chun held up the proclamation and said, “Durihana receives this unexpected gift as a great honor.” Pastor Chun thinks National Geographic’s report in February on Durihana had a great impact on the governor’s proclamation. “The person who invited us said he contacted Durihana after reading the National Geographic. Probably the most decisive factor was our appearance on the National Geographic.” In the February edition, National Geographic had an extensive cover story about North Korean refugees’ long journey towards freedom and the help Durihana gave along the way. Also, in the same month, the American broadcast station PBS aired a documentary across the entire nation regarding North Korean refugees. The Christian citizens of Denver decided to hold an event to aid the North Korean refugees after reading the article and they invited Pastor Chun. He said he was moved by the amount of interest the people showed. “I asked them why they were so interested in North Korean refugees. They replied it was because it was God’s will and that they had to be active and interested.” The various churches of Denver discussed about Pastor Chun giving lectures and showing recent video clips of the North Korean refugees for the four days. Pastor Chun said that the Christians of Colorado are currently giving legal and medical help to the refugees settled in the state. Also, the regional broadcast station and the daily newspapers reported with great interest regarding the North Korean Refugee Weekend. After seeing such positive reaction, Pastor Chun said he plans on holding music shows, debate shows, and other such events next July 17th in Denver to help North Korean refugees. VOA Kim Young Kwon 07/23/2009