The Korea Times

North Korean artist pursues her dream

Ahn Su-min / Courtesy of Ahn Su-minBy Ahn Su-minI was destined to be an artist. My father was an artist in North Korea and when I was there, I became interested in art from a young age. I was 14 years old when I started learning painting in earnest. Although our family was not well-off, I was able to draw at the art academy (Student Youth Center) in North Korea for several years because of my mother's passion and support, pouring all her love into me. I had many good memories with other students at the art academy in North Korea.I studied in a North Korean high school until I escaped in 2011 at the age of 17. In South Korea, I experienced a new world of art that was different from the art of North Korea. It was unfamiliar at first, but now I'm used to modern art. There are various techniques in modern art, but I still like painting first. I think it's because I can feel the memories and nostalgia of my hometown when I paint.It hasn't been easy, but I have kept my dream of being an artist alive. Experiencing new Korean culture and following difficult studies were hard because, at the

May 7, 2022By Casey Lartigue Jr.

Opinion

Blackmailing from China

Park Eun-mi escaped to South Korea in 2014. After remaining silent for eight years, she launched a YouTube channel on March 14. ― EdBy Park Eun-miSometimes it is difficult for North Korean women to tell their stories because people may judge the situation without understanding how desperate some North Koreans are in China.Today, I would like to talk about three things.One, many North Korean defector women are exploited in China.Two, some of the Chinese people exploiting North Korean women try to control them even after they leave China.Three, the situations North Koreans face in China are complicated and many people in other parts of the world may not be able to understand them.A detective from the National Intelligence Service, or NIS, told me this story about a woman I will call “Young-hee.” The NIS interrogates North Korean defectors when they first arrive in the country, so they hear many stories when North Koreans first arrive. And they also hear many problems that North Korean defectors later face.Young-hee defected from North Korea when she was young and lived in C

Apr 16, 2022By Casey Lartigue Jr.

Opinion

We escaped together

Park Eun-mi escaped to South Korea in 2014. After remaining silent for eight years, she launched a YouTube channel on March 14. ― Ed.By Park Eun-miIn 2007, I decided to escape from North Korea because it was getting more difficult for my family to survive.I knew about two ways to escape from North Korea.One, with the help of a broker. That way is safer.Two, secretly crossing the Yalu River by myself.I made up my mind to escape with the help of a broker because I could not speak Chinese. But finding a broker was a big challenge. They are breaking the law by helping North Koreans escape to China, so they must hide their identities.My friend's sister, I will call her Su-jin, introduced me to a broker and together we escaped from North Korea.It was not easy to escape from North Korea.I tried six times. Finally, Su-jin and I did it. We arrived in the countryside of China.On the first day in China, a young Chinese couple came to the house where we were staying. They explained something in Chinese that I could NOT understand.That morning, they took Su-jin somewhere. When she came back in th

Apr 2, 2022By Casey Lartigue Jr.

Opinion

When will North Korea release my father?

Hwang In-cheol speaks about his father detained in North Korea near Imjingak's Freedom Bridge, Dec. 11, the 52nd anniversary of North Korea's hijacking of KAL YS-11.On Dec. 11, 1969, a North Korean agent hijacked a South Korean airplane and redirected it to North Korea. Of the 50 passengers and crew, 11 were detained in North Korea, including Hwang Won. For the past two decades, his son, Hwang In-cheol, has been campaigning to have his father released from North Korea. He is deputy of the 1969 KAL Abductees' Families Association. ― Ed.By Hwang In-cheolI cannot express my gratitude enough to Freedom Speakers International, which made the campaign “Bring My Father Home” possible. Without their support, I would probably be standing alone at the back gate of the government complex, calling for the repatriation of my father and making a scene by weeping in distress.Now I am not alone. We as a team have started to let the international community know about hijacked Korean Air Lines flight YS-11. We have raised our voices to bring my father home. Over the past five years, the Un

Dec 18, 2021By Casey Lartigue Jr.

When will North Korea release my father?

Opinion

Rep. Tae Yong-ho explains essentials of North Korea

Rep. Tae Yong-ho, former deputy ambassador of North Korea to the United Kingdom, speaks at Freedom Speakers International's forum in Seoul, Nov. 27. Courtesy of Voices from the NorthOn Nov. 27, Freedom Speakers International held a forum featuring former diplomats from North Korea. Below is an excerpt of remarks by Tae Yong-ho, former deputy ambassador of North Korea to the United Kingdom. ― ED.By Tae Yong-hoIn 2016, I defected from North Korea and came to South Korea for freedom. Today, I am honored to tell you about North Korea. As you know, it is very difficult to understand North Korea because North Korea is a place where you cannot go; it may seem like a very remote place. I would like to tell you about some of the main aspects of North Korea. Military: North Korea has nuclear weapons and is the country with the second highest number of military and paramilitary personnel with a total of 7.7 million active reserve and paramilitary personnel. That is approximately 30 percent of its population. It has 1.28 million soldiers considered to be on active duty, consisting of 5 percent o

Dec 12, 2021By Casey Lartigue Jr.

Rep. Tae Yong-ho explains essentials of North Korea

Opinion

Many North Koreans are still searching for freedom in South

A scene from “Squid Game” / Courtesy of NetflixJang Yoo-rim is a senior at the Korean Minjok Leadership Academy in South Korea and a member of the Freedom Speakers International Global High School Union (FSI-GHSU). She prepared this text for the second FSI-GHSU International Youth Forum on Oct. 30. ― Ed By Jang Yoo-rimI am not a politician, nor am I a policymaker of any kind. At least not yet. I am a teenage girl born and raised beneath the border of Gangwon Province, who nurtured her curiosity of the world while being surrounded by the remnants of war. I am a proud student of the Korean Minjok Leadership Academy who was taught to speak out on my beliefs. Most importantly, I am one of the rising generation in our society that has the potential to change what is wrong.I have been inspired to speak out after I saw the newly released Netflix series, “Squid Game.” I enjoyed the whole series in one sitting. Above all, I was particularly interested in one of the sub-characters, Kang Sae-byeok, a North Korean refugee teenager about my age. I am not the only fan of he

Oct 25, 2021By Casey Lartigue Jr.

Many North Koreans are still searching for freedom in South

On 'Squid Game:' A reaction from a North Korean defector

Opinion

On 'Squid Game:' A reaction from a North Korean defector

Sae-byeok, a North Korean defector, is among the participants in "Squid Game." Courtesy of NetflixCherie Yang is a North Korean refugee who became a U.S. citizen after escaping to the United States in 2007. During 2015-19, she lived in South Korea. She studied linguistics at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, was a TV personality, and still works with Freedom Speakers International in Seoul. ― Ed. By Yang Che-rieI am a North Korean defector living in the United States. After I finished watching “Squid Game,” the first thought that came to mind is that the North Korean regime would try to use this film for propaganda purposes. North Korea tightly controls access to outside information. It punishes North Koreans for watching foreign media content and even executes people publicly if they do so.However, the regime does show footage of foreign news or films to brainwash North Koreans into believing that capitalist countries are sordid places where people kill their parents, friends and even their whole neighborhoods because of money. I remember one time when I was young wh

Oct 23, 2021By Casey Lartigue Jr.

On 'Squid Game:' A reaction from a North Korean defector

Many North Koreans are still searching for freedom in South

Opinion

Are 'North Korean defectors' traitors?

Lee Jeong-cheol, center, poses after receiving the grand prize of $2,000 for winning the 14th Freedom Speakers International (FSI) English Speech Contest at the Next Korea Future Foundation office in Seoul, Sept. 11. Lee donated half of the prize money to FSI. Courtesy of Voices from the NorthOn Sept. 11 at the Next Korea Foundation office, Freedom Speakers International (FSI) held its 14th English speech contest. Eight North Korean refugees competed in the contest sponsored by The Shin and Kim Law Office, Next Korea Foundation, the Atlas Network and the Korea Hana Foundation. The theme of the contest: “I am from North Korea.” Lee Jeong-cheol, who joined FSI in 2015 as a student, was selected as the winner by a panel of judges. His main mentor getting him prepared to speak at the contest was Irene Yoon. ― ED.By Lee Jeong-cheolNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, has accused North Koreans in South Korea of being defectors, defining this word as being synonymous with “traitors and trash.” I think many of you have seen Kim Yo-jong in the media.

Sep 18, 2021By Casey Lartigue Jr.

Opinion

Working with North Korean refugees and their angels

Jennifer Bowman, right, and Cherie Yang take a break from a mentoring session at the FSI office in Mapo District of Seoul. Courtesy of Voices from the NorthBy Jennifer BowmanMy first year in Korea a friend of mine gave me a copy of a book called, “Nothing to Envy.” I was completely consumed by the stories of the six North Koreans who eventually escaped to freedom. Their real-life experiences hit me in a way similar to the first time I read stories detailing Nazi concentration camps, the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge, or the excruciating details of Idi Amin's reign. But the thing that was different this time is that this regime under which these humans suffered so greatly, is still very much alive. A quick trip to the DMZ and I could literally gaze across the border into one of the world's most repressive states, where right at this moment someone could be publicly executed for simply watching a South Korean drama.I felt compelled to get involved somehow. I searched any and all organizations related to the North Korea issue. Despite the best of intentions, outsid

Aug 29, 2021By Casey Lartigue Jr.

Working with North Korean refugees and their angels

Opinion

Colonizing the colonizers: My moments of freedom

Jung Yu-na / Courtesy of Voices from the NorthJung Yu-na was a featured speaker at the May 15 Asia Regional Forum organized by Freedom Speakers International (FSI) and sponsored by UniKorea. Below is an excerpt of her remarks. ― Ed.By Jung Yu-naToday, I want to share my first moments of freedom with you.Each moment may seem obvious to many of you, but I can assure you that they were very precious and special to me.When you are born free, it may be difficult to see how precious freedom is.How easy it is to take things for granted without ever thinking about the consequences of being without it.Today I will tell you about my three moments of freedom. One, becoming a South Korean citizen. Two, getting a driver's license. Three, getting a passport.These moments are so precious for me because I was born in North Korea without any liberty.I couldn't say the words I wanted to say, see what I wanted to see, hear what I wanted to hear.That was the world I used to live in ― not knowing what freedom meant.Some say that ignorance is bliss.?Well, that depends on your definition of “bliss.&r

Jul 10, 2021By Casey Lartigue Jr.

Casey Lartigue Jr.

Read more

North Korean artist pursues her dream

Blackmailing from China

We escaped together

When will North Korea release my father?

Rep. Tae Yong-ho explains essentials of North Korea

Many North Koreans are still searching for freedom in South

On 'Squid Game:' A reaction from a North Korean defector

Are 'North Korean defectors' traitors?

Working with North Korean refugees and their angels

Colonizing the colonizers: My moments of freedom

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