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Sun, January 29, 2023 | 18:42

2 Koreans from opposite sides of DMZ establish dialogue

2 Koreans from opposite sides of DMZ establish dialogue

If you want to write a book and it is the two of you writing it, you have to work together a lot, share a lot. It is challenging, especially when one is from North Korea, the other from South Korea.

2023-01-21 08:59

Learning English saved my life

Learning English saved my life

I escaped from North Korea in March 2011. The main reason is that I didn't see a future for myself there. Things have not always been easy in South Korea, however. In late 2019, I had hit a low point in my life. I was having many personal problems and I didn't see a future for myself.

2023-01-07 10:10

The voice of longing

The voice of longing

Hwang In-Cheol is a South Korean who has been advocating for the release of his father from North Korea. On Dec. 11th, 2021, I was his interpreter on the 52nd anniversary of the tragedy that befell his family.

2022-12-31 10:19

What I learned from another North Korean defector

What I learned from another North Korean defector

As a North Korean who was born into the core class of North Korea, I was lucky enough to be educated as an intellectual elite from a young age. I attended the best schools in the country and experienced a life that most other North Koreans could only dream of having. And as I joined the Foreign Ministry of North Korea, I was able to stay outside of the country, representing i...

2022-10-15 12:54

Freedom is everything

Freedom is everything

Most people around the world know that North Korea is an isolated country. It is far behind other countries because the government controls almost everything in the country.

2022-10-08 11:42

A North Korean refugee learns about Harvard

A North Korean refugee learns about Harvard

I attended elementary school for only one year when I was growing up in North Korea. My life was unstable in North Korea as I moved from home to home, my mom and I were homeless for a while, and I was usually starving and in poverty.

2022-09-17 13:19

North Korean's bubble of certainty

North Korean's bubble of certainty

It has been said “Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.” My name is Lee Seo-hyun. I am a North Korean escapee who gave up the certain opportunity to thrive in hell, and instead fled my native country to face certain uncertainty. My experience as a North Korean escapee might surprise you. I did not grow up in extreme poverty; I was not coerced into human trafficking; n...

2022-08-21 15:37

Why do NK refugees take to the stage?

Why do NK refugees take to the stage?

On August 27, 2022, Freedom Speakers International (FSI) will be holding its 16th English Speech Contest. North Korean refugees were asked motivated them to participate in the contest.-Ed.

2022-08-20 10:33

My journey from North Korea to Columbia University

My journey from North Korea to Columbia University

On March 22nd, I received an email from Columbia University. I logged on to check: had I been accepted? My heart was beating fast, and my hands were sweating. I clicked “view updates” and closed my eyes.

2022-08-06 10:35

My 'Greenlight to Freedom'

My 'Greenlight to Freedom'

Growing up in North Korea, I was a tomboy who wanted to play, run and wrestle. I was so active, I had so much energy, and I was constantly in motion as a child.

2022-05-07 17:32

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