as refugees. they call them economic migrants and they have this long standing policy of repatriating them, forcibly repatriating them back to north korea, knowing exactly what fate awaits them. >> but it's not even just china. then you get past china. you've got to go into laos. >> they all have the same policy. >> their policy is to send the north koreans back. it's a treacherous journey until they make it to thailand. >> you've got to cross through three countries usually before you get to freedom. >> it's a long trek. >> madeleine, to me, the most extraordinary thing is you are watching this family escape from north korea. in the most dangerous circumstances and we're seeing it all. you couldn't have had camera men. it feels like it's being shot on iphones. how did you manage that? >> i have to give so much credit to pastor kim, south korean