The Korea Times

Is North Korea shooting COVID-19 patients?

Choi Jung-hun, right, at the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center. Courtesy of Casey Lartigue Jr.As COVID-19 spread around the world causing people to isolate themselves, some wondered if the most self-isolating country had been infected by the deadly virus. There have been a range of reports, with North Korea denying it had any infections and some charging that North Korea was shooting anyone suspected of having the virus. On April 4, Dr. Choi Jung-hun, a research professor at Korea University, talked with Apple Daily reporter Yuen Chi Man from Hong Kong and with Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center (TNKR) co-founders Casey Lartigue and Eunkoo Lee at the organization's office in Seoul. Dr. Choi studied clinical medicine at the Chongjin Medical University in North Korea, then worked in North Korea as a doctor of neurology for three years and for seven years at the Chongjin Railway Bureau containing contagious diseases. His extended interview has been edited for publication, with his permission.By Casey Lartigue Jr.Dr. Choi: There are three key point

Apr 12, 2020By Casey Lartigue Jr.

Is North Korea shooting COVID-19 patients?

Opinion

A moving ordeal in Seoul

By Casey Lartigue Jr. American novelist and humorist Mark Twain once said: “It is less trouble and more satisfaction to bury two families than to select and equip a home for one.”Multiply that times 10 when you have a limited budget and are trying to move your organization engaged with North Korean refugees to a slightly upgraded office. There was nothing normal about the experience of relocating to a different office in South Korea.We are delighted to have moved to a slightly upgraded office, but as economist Walter E. Williams quoted his stepfather as saying about serving in the military experience: “It is a million-dollar experience that you wouldn't do again for a million dollars.”We had been office-less the first three years our organization was barely surviving. One of the North Korean refugees studying in our program said that we seemed to be like refugees ourselves. Every time he came to visit, we were operating out of a different organization's office, always on the move.In mid-2016, we thought we had found our first office, near Sogang University. We

Apr 4, 2020By Casey Lartigue Jr.

Opinion

North Korean refugee's unification wish: 'I have a dream'

On November 2, the Korea Hana Foundation held its third English speech contest for North Korean refugee youth. Kim Eun-ju, a North Korean refugee who is now attending an alternative school for North Korean refugee youth in South Korea, was the Grand Prize winner in the Youth Category. Her mentor for the speech contest was India Meyers, a volunteer tutor and speech coach mentor with the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center (TNKR). Below is the text of Eun-ju's prepared remarks, which she agreed to share with “Voices from the North.”―Ed.I have a dream.Since the North-South Korea summit was held in Panmunjom in the spring of 2018, a peaceful atmosphere on the Korean Peninsula has been created. According to the research done by Seoul National University in 2018, the people's perception of unification was improved. However, research also says the negative perception of North Korean refugees in South Korea was strengthened. I think this is a contradiction. While South Koreans have positive views about the unification, they also have negative views about living to

Nov 9, 2019By Casey Lartigue Jr.

North Korean refugee's unification wish: 'I have a dream'

Opinion

Why North Korean defectors learn English (8)

TNKR co-founder Casey Lartigue Jr. tutors a North Korean refugee at the organization's office in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Courtesy of Casey Lartigue Jr.Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7Inho, male, escaped North Korea in 2012, arrived in South Korea in 2013When I was in North Korea, I learned English for one reason: to curse American soldiers as they were dying after I had shot them. When I went to the USA, it felt so strange because I had been taught to hate Americans, but they seemed normal, gentle; even strangers smile at you. That experience was both great and terrible. I was happy to be in an English-speaking environment, so that was great and motivated me to learn English. It was also the final thing to help me get rid of the propaganda that I had been taught about Americans. But I also felt miserable because I still didn't understand very much, so the only thing I could do was smile. Next semester I will be taking my first class in English. I have been avoiding it, but from my junior year, I can't avoid it; then the following year, to get a good score on the TOEIC test. I am feeling a lot of pr

Nov 2, 2019By Casey Lartigue Jr.

Why North Korean defectors learn English (8)

Opinion

North Korean defectors: 'Please, don't ask me about…' (Part 2)

North Korean refugees joining TNKR select donated English language books. Courtesy of Casey Lartigue Jr.Part 1 is here.Please don't ask me about…Yumi, female, escaped North Korea in 2015, arrived in South Korea in 2019I don't want to talk about North Korea. When people ask, I just avoid answering. South Koreans see North Koreans as poor, starving, beggars. That makes me feel sad, then when I hear South Koreans talk about North Korea like that, then I don't want to reveal that I am from there.Jeakyung, female, escaped North Korea in 2012, arrived in South Korea in 2017I don't want the tutors to ask about my personal story. I am from Pyongyang and my parents were really high level. For that reason, I didn't go through Hanawon and I avoid hanging out with other refugees. I suspect some of them might feel uncomfortable if they know about my background, so it is a bit uncomfortable for me to reveal such information. When I meet South Koreans, some of them know almost nothing about North Korea, I have even talked to some who didn't know who Kim Jong-Un is. In that case, I didn't wan

Oct 27, 2019By Casey Lartigue Jr.

North Korean defectors: 'Please, don't ask me about…' (Part 2)

Opinion

North Korean refugees speak out: 'My Hanawon experience' (7)

Casey Lartigue Jr.More than 33,000 North Korean refugees have made it to South Korea in the last two decades, with almost every refugee passing through "Hanawon" since the first center opened on July 8, 1999. In the lead-up to Hanawon's 20th anniversary this past July, TNKR began asking North Korean refugees about their Hanawon experiences. Please check here for parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.Minhee, female, escaped North Korea in 2015, arrived in South Korea in 2016. Hanawon was fun. After a difficult escape, Hanawon was a relaxing and calm time. It was the most comfortable and enjoyable time I have had in Korea. They provided everything for us. We could exercise, sing, learn K-pop dances, learn about South Korean life. I never felt lonely there, I could meet so many people from North Korea and I also had a nice time learning about South Korea. My difficult time came after I was released into South Korean society. I was scared after getting released. It is so competitive here, there is so much pressure. I got married too quickly, his family was so eager, pushing us to

Oct 16, 2019By Casey Lartigue Jr.

North Korean refugees speak out: 'My Hanawon experience' (7)

Opinion

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 3)

Courtesy of TNKRPlease, don’t take my photoThe Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center asked 142 North Korean refugees how they felt about having their photos taken and their identities revealed online. Ninety-two (64.7 percent) North Korean refugees said they preferred not having their photos and identities revealed online. Fifty (35.3%) said they were not opposed in all situations or were fine with their photos and identities being revealed online. -- ED.Eunjeong, female, escaped North Korea in 2014, arrived in South Korea in 2019My English is so bad. Please don’t let people know I am studying English now. After I arrived in South Korea I had surgery done on my eyes to fix a problem, so it is possible that I won’t be as recognizable as before. Anyway, my mother is still in North Korea so I am sensitive to photos and being identified as a North Korean refugee. I don’t want to do anything that could put her in danger.Gaeyoung, female, escaped North Korea in 2009, arrived in South Korea in 2009No photos. My family is still in North Korea, they warne

Oct 13, 2019By Casey Lartigue Jr.

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 3)

Opinion

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 2)

Courtesy of TNKRLet’s take a photoThe Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center asked 142 North Korean refugees how they felt about having their photos taken and their identities revealed online. Ninety-two (64.7 percent) North Korean refugees said they preferred not having their photos and identities revealed online. Fifty (35.3%) said they were not opposed in all situations or were fine with their photos and identities being revealed online. -- ED.Baram, female, escaped North Korea in 2009, arrived in South Korea in 2009I was on TV in the past so I am actually okay with photos. When I first arrived here I would run from cameras and refused to let anyone take my photo, even close friends. My brother is still in North Korea in an influential position, so I don’t want him to have any trouble. These days, I don’t run from cameras, but I don’t want people to mention political things about North Korea when they post my photo in the media. I want to stay away from anything political about North Korea, I don’t think they will want to punish me for st

Oct 7, 2019By Casey Lartigue Jr.

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 2)

Opinion

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 1)

Courtesy of TNKRPlease, don’t take my photo!The Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center asked 142 North Korean refugees how they felt about having their photos taken and their identities revealed online. Ninety-two (64.7 percent) North Korean refugees said they preferred not having their photos and identities revealed online. Fifty (35.3%) said they were not opposed in all situations or were fine with their photos and identities being revealed online. -- ED.Hanna, female, escaped North Korea in 2016, arrived in South Korea in 2017Please, no, I hope the volunteers won’t try to take my photo, I really don’t want it. I have a couple of reasons for wanting to maintain my privacy. I worked at a casino when I was in North Korea, so I was connected with some high-level government officials and I know about their corruption. They think I am dead because my family reported that I was missing. Second, I still have family in North Korea, I don’t want it to be revealed that they lied in reporting that I had died. Third, I am involved in some church activities

Oct 5, 2019By Casey Lartigue Jr.

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 1)

Opinion

'Have you ever considered returning to North Korea?' (Part 2)

Casey Lartigue Jr.Yeonhee, escaped North Korea in 2014, arrived in South Korea in 2015No, I haven't thought about it. North Korea was hell for me. I had to pretend to be someone I wasn't so I wouldn't get into trouble. It wasn't until I was in South Korea and traveled abroad that I could start to be me, to figure out who I am as a person, about the things that I want to do in this life. It would make no sense for me to return to North Korea. I would again be put in a cage with no freedom. The person I have become would be destroyed by the regime's agents.Yumi, female, escaped North Korea in 2017, arrived in South Korea in 2017Never. Life can be challenging here, but I have never considered returning to North Korea. I can understand why some others return. I came here recently, I felt so lonely and depressed at first because I have no family here. Life wasn't that bad for me in North Korea, but here I must really work for everything so it can be challenging at times. Still, as long as North Korea is still an oddball country, there is no way I can return.Jimin, female, escaped North Ko

Sep 30, 2019By Casey Lartigue Jr.

'Have you ever considered returning to North Korea?' (Part 2)

'Have you ever considered returning to North Korea?' (Part 1)

Casey Lartigue Jr.

Read more

Is North Korea shooting COVID-19 patients?

A moving ordeal in Seoul

North Korean refugee's unification wish: 'I have a dream'

Why North Korean defectors learn English (8)

North Korean defectors: 'Please, don't ask me about…' (Part 2)

North Korean refugees speak out: 'My Hanawon experience' (7)

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 3)

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 2)

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 1)

'Have you ever considered returning to North Korea?' (Part 2)

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