Lee So-yeon speaks out for NK female defectors
Lee So-yeon, head of the New Korea Women’s Union, talks about the work of the union that publicizes the plight of North Korean female defectors, at her office in Dangsan-dong, western Seoul. / Korea Times photos by Kim Ji-sooBy Kim Ji-sooLee So-yeon, 40, remembers her hometown of Hoeryeong, North Hamgyeong Province, North Korea, as a town of white apricots.“White apricots, not the usual orange ones, which people used to say would make you a beauty,” she said, smiling faintly.It is a place she will not be able to visit unless the two Koreas are united. Until that time, Lee, as head of the New Korea Women’s Union, aims to speak about human rights violations, particularly of women in North Korea, and hopes that people will listen and act. Founded in 2011, the group hosts talks at schools and other groups, and provides job training and psychological counseling to defectors as well. What makes Lee, a defector, stand out is that she comes forth to speak about the ordeals of women defectors from North Korea.“Whether it’s in the restaurant business, i
Apr 20, 2016
