Male defectors on English and adjustment to South Korea

According to the Ministry of Unification, 71 percent of North Korean refugees are female, 29 percent are male. This edition of "Voices from the North" presents three refugee males discussing how they have adjusted to South Korea, and how English has had a role in that adjustment. The next edition of "Voices from the North" will present three refugee females discussing similar issues. ― ED.

Yoo-chul escaped from North Korea in 1997, arrived in South Korea in 2005

Honestly, I'm tired of living in South Korea's competitive society. The longer I stay, the more stressed I get. I think part of it is because I have lived abroad where things are much slower. I am now at an important point in my life. I want to sharpen my English so I can get a better job to save some money, then I can decide if I will live abroad or become a farmer. I am thinking about living in a Third World country where I can be free and with people who are happy. When I lived in Cambodia, the people were happy with what they have. Here in South Korea, people are constantly under stress, angry, their faces look so scary.

Many people don't believe me when I say I might become a farmer, but I love nature; the countryside is so beautiful. When I arrived, I was surprised to see trees in so many places in South Korea. There were even trees on the streets and around apartment buildings. I worked on a farm before, and even though it was tough, I could be at peace with myself. I do need to improve my English even for that life.

Ever since I escaped from North Korea, I have seen so many times that I needed English. The first time was when I arrived at Thailand. I stayed at a place provided by a Korean church; they told us that English would be really important. I wasn't sure how else to survive here, so I made that my focus after I arrived. Living abroad definitely opened my mind. I feel like I didn't learn anything in North Korea except to obey others.

When I was learning English, I learned a lot of dirty words. I couldn't wait to use them. I had many cases where others got embarrassed, but it was liberating for me. Sometimes people might be embarrassed by things North Korean refugees say or do, but I think they can't understand what it is like not to have freedom, not to have the freedom to leave a country or even your hometown when you want to do so.

That may be part of my struggle in South Korea; it still seems that I need to obey. Instead of being punished by the government's police, it seems that the unofficial police officers here are everyday people who will condemn and try to shame you for being different.

Doo-Hwan, escaped from North Korea in 2013, arrived in South Korea in 2014.

I'm studying engineering. It is a struggle now because of English. I think I didn't take it seriously when I came here, but now it is an emergency for me. When I have lectures, I listen so hard that I get a headache. Last year was difficult. My classmates could respond to the professor in English, but even when I could understand I could only answer in Korean.

I escaped to South Korea to join my father here, I had been a top student in North Korea at a special school, and I assumed that I would be able to handle things here in South Korea. In reality, I struggled. Perhaps because of my pride, I applied for the regular admissions process that South Korean students use, rather than using the process allowed for North Korean refugees. Then I failed it. Studying here can be difficult, and I think people don't realize how much North Korean refugee students are struggling here, especially with English.

My most difficult moment came when I had to admit that I was not a special student anymore like I was in North Korea, that I am just a normal student here who is struggling. It isn't only English, but English is an extra punch to my head as I go through my university classes.

When I study with my English teachers, I love every moment they speak to me in English. I don't want to look greedy, but I want to get every single word of English that I can into my ears and head, so hopefully I can survive when I get back to my university classes. I hope one day I can be able to study abroad, there are many opportunities for me to expand my mind and find a place where I can enjoy my life.

Hyong-ki, escaped North Korea in 2013, arrived in South Korea in 2018

The most important thing to me now is learning. One thing that is really taking up a lot of my time is learning English. Ever since I escaped from North Korea, I have been reminded so many times why English is so important. I arrived last year; I quickly realized that English will be part of my freedom and opportunities.

When I arrived at Thailand, I didn't know any English except for a few simple vocabulary words. I needed to find a shelter, but I couldn't communicate. Of course, the people I met couldn't speak Korean. It might seem funny to some, but when I was in North Korea, I had really believed North Korea was at the center of the world.

I am now attending a refugee school in South Korea, next year I hope to get accepted into a university. I'm afraid that I will fail, so I am so focused on English now. I am so happy that the TNKR tutors only use English. It should get me prepared when I have university classes in English. I learned Chinese when I was in China and I guess if I can speak English that it will help me with my future career. I am taking every opportunity to sharpen my English ability.

So far, I can't say that I have really adjusted to South Korea. I spend most of my time at the refugee school. I am studying and learning so many things trying to catch up to what I missed and learning more so I can be prepared for the next stage of my life.

One thing I have learned that is completely new is religion. I didn't know anything about it when I was in North Korea. That is really a surprising thing for me. Sometimes it feels like Kim Il-sung was supposed to be North Korea's Jesus, that he placed himself in that role. I haven't become a deep believer, but I am happy to have the freedom to accept or reject things. That is better than being kept ignorant and having others decide for me.

Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center, was the 2017 winner of the "Social Contribution" Prize from the Hansarang Rural Cultural Foundation and the winner of the Global Award from Challenge Korea 2017. TNKR co-founder Eunkoo Lee translated the remarks of refugees from Korean to English.