Defector makes rap songs to criticize N. Korea regime

By Yi Whan-woo

Kang Chun-hyok

Kang Chun-hyok, 31, a North Korea-born rapper who defected to the South in 2001, plans to release a mini-album featuring songs criticizing the Kim Jong-un regime and raising awareness of Pyongyang’s propaganda.

Kang has been drawing attention in pop music for his lyrics — full of criticism toward Kim, his wife Ri Sol-ju, Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions and its dire human rights records.

The album, carrying a collection of songs he made since he escaped to South Korea in 2001 with his family, will be released Friday, according to the Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights.

The Seoul-based group is a non-governmental organization that will sponsor Kang’s album showcase in Mapo-gu.

The album will feature three songs, including “For the Freedom.”

Kang will also introduce a music video and perform in a mini concert, Friday.

“I chose rap songs as a tool to address the truth about North Korea because many people are comfortable listening to them,” he said.

He first appeared before the public in 2014 when he rapped about North Korea in harsh tones during a reality TV show.

Concerning the young North Korean leader, Kang rapped, “You took money that we made digging earth to fund nuclear weapons. Take out that fat from your pot belly. Nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons.”

He also said “I am not afraid. Go ahead, attack me.”

Regarding Kim’s wife, Kang said, “Ri is the mother of the country, but she is not my mother.”

After majoring in art at Hongik University, Kang also held an art exhibition of his drawings that depicted hardships faced by North Korean children.