Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center, compiled these statements from interviews with the refugees.
Chul-ong, male, arrived in South Korea in 2015
I was near Seoul station when she arrived, so I went over to see what was going on. I was able to see her from a distance and then read the news reports later. She looked too proud, too confident. The reality is that she is a prisoner just like the others in North Korea. They have privileged status because they are from North Korea's elite, but if she were here, she would be a regular person. She doesn't know the society here, the media was focused on her for the moment, but it would not last, they would move to the next story very quickly. Some people may be optimistic, but I don't believe the relationship between North and South Korea will change because of this.
Nam-Sun (Sam), male, arrived in South Korea in 2010
She looked so proud and confident, but she was being so careful because she knows the regime is watching every move she makes. The media was eager to photograph her, but she is still a slave of Kim Jong-un. Even though she looks like she has a top position, she is still a slave with no freedom. I am not an important person in this world, but now that I am in South Korea, I have more freedom than she has. I even have the freedom to criticize her and Kim Jong-un.
Ha-yong, female, arrived in South Korea in 2004
I escaped from North Korea many years ago, so I didn't know who she is. I have no particular feelings about her and I don't know why the South Korean media went so crazy about her. There has been too much coverage of her. One group supports her, another side hates her. I heard that the South Korean government blocked protesters, so she might not have seen the opposition. We should show the real opinion of people being asked about her. Not everyone is welcoming her. This is a free country, it is a mistake not to allow the voices of opponents to be heard -- that is too much like North Korea to silence people.
Young-ho, male, arrived in South Korea in 2011
I have mixed feelings about her. I didn't like seeing the media go so crazy about her. The image of her looking like a star will be shown in North Korea. It will make it seem that South Koreans are united behind the dictator. On the other hand, it was a good reminder that the two capitals are so close physically, but so far apart in our relationship. When I saw her, I wondered, "Is she really happy?" She has a high position, but she belongs to the regime. She doesn't have real freedom. I am not optimistic there will be any change as a result of her visit and everything related to these Olympics. The current diplomatic relationship is terrible. North Korea won't give up its power, and South Korea certainly has its own national and diplomatic purposes for doing this.
Bom-soo, male, arrived in South Korea in 2010
Those photos and videos of her were great advertising for North Korea. I really don't like it that so many media here focused on her so much. There was no fresh news, just another case of North Korea taking advantage of South Korea being so desperate for any relations with North Korea. As much as I disliked the way the media highlighted her, I do suspect this means that Kim Jong-un is ready to make a deal. She has a special connection to him from the past, so that means he wants to send a message. I do wonder if she saw the protests and the North Korean flags being burned. I hope she saw that South Koreans are free people who can disagree. She might be confused by it. Of course, South Korean hosts must be polite to her, but the opinions of the people should not be controlled.
Chul-ong, male, arrived in South Korea in 2015
I was near Seoul station when she arrived, so I went over to see what was going on. I was able to see her from a distance and then read the news reports later. She looked too proud, too confident. The reality is that she is a prisoner just like the others in North Korea. They have privileged status because they are from North Korea's elite, but if she were here, she would be a regular person. She doesn't know the society here, the media was focused on her for the moment, but it would not last, they would move to the next story very quickly. Some people may be optimistic, but I don't believe the relationship between North and South Korea will change because of this.
Nam-Sun (Sam), male, arrived in South Korea in 2010
She looked so proud and confident, but she was being so careful because she knows the regime is watching every move she makes. The media was eager to photograph her, but she is still a slave of Kim Jong-un. Even though she looks like she has a top position, she is still a slave with no freedom. I am not an important person in this world, but now that I am in South Korea, I have more freedom than she has. I even have the freedom to criticize her and Kim Jong-un.
Ha-yong, female, arrived in South Korea in 2004
I escaped from North Korea many years ago, so I didn't know who she is. I have no particular feelings about her and I don't know why the South Korean media went so crazy about her. There has been too much coverage of her. One group supports her, another side hates her. I heard that the South Korean government blocked protesters, so she might not have seen the opposition. We should show the real opinion of people being asked about her. Not everyone is welcoming her. This is a free country, it is a mistake not to allow the voices of opponents to be heard -- that is too much like North Korea to silence people.
Young-ho, male, arrived in South Korea in 2011
I have mixed feelings about her. I didn't like seeing the media go so crazy about her. The image of her looking like a star will be shown in North Korea. It will make it seem that South Koreans are united behind the dictator. On the other hand, it was a good reminder that the two capitals are so close physically, but so far apart in our relationship. When I saw her, I wondered, "Is she really happy?" She has a high position, but she belongs to the regime. She doesn't have real freedom. I am not optimistic there will be any change as a result of her visit and everything related to these Olympics. The current diplomatic relationship is terrible. North Korea won't give up its power, and South Korea certainly has its own national and diplomatic purposes for doing this.
Bom-soo, male, arrived in South Korea in 2010
Those photos and videos of her were great advertising for North Korea. I really don't like it that so many media here focused on her so much. There was no fresh news, just another case of North Korea taking advantage of South Korea being so desperate for any relations with North Korea. As much as I disliked the way the media highlighted her, I do suspect this means that Kim Jong-un is ready to make a deal. She has a special connection to him from the past, so that means he wants to send a message. I do wonder if she saw the protests and the North Korean flags being burned. I hope she saw that South Koreans are free people who can disagree. She might be confused by it. Of course, South Korean hosts must be polite to her, but the opinions of the people should not be controlled.
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