Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center, compiled these statements from interviews with the refugees.
Choi-rin, male, arrived in South Korea in 2011
I think that it is good that Vice President Pence has come to South Korea. He is from an important country in the world; it makes the Olympics look bigger. Because he is here, we can be sure that North Korea won't attack.
It does seem like it has become the North Korean Olympics. There has been so much attention on the cheerleaders, the dance troupe and now on Kim Yo-jong. South Korea seems like the little brother in the relationship. I guess that Kim Jong-un sent his sister because he wants to send a signal that he is seeking better relations with the United States.
Kim Un-kyung, female, arrived in 2009
I wish I could meet Vice President Pence. I would like to ask him if North Korean refugees can immigrate to the U.S. through Thailand or South Korea. They invited refugees to the White House, but it is important for them to welcome refugees to the country to live, not just to visit for political purposes.
I am impressed that North Korea sent many women this time. It is still a male-dominated country. Has there been a change internally in North Korea? Is it that they guessed that the West could be fooled into thinking there has been change by highlighting women? Or could it be that they have killed the influential older men who could challenge him?
I was unfamiliar with Kim Yo-jong before this, and I have heard the same from other North Korean refugees who arrived recently. So some people are curious about who she is.
One thing I find ironic is that the North Korean orchestra is singing South Korean songs -- in North Korea, they would be executed for doing that.
Lee Jin, female, arrived in 2006
I'm worried about Pence coming here. He is conservative and provocative like Trump. This is a clear signal that they will push North Korea on human rights. This could be a chance to have peace. Kim Jong-un may be showing that he realizes his nuclear strategy has succeeded but that he needs dialogue.
He is sending so many people, including his sister, to influence South Korea, so this could be a new start. He also may have seen the strong response to the dance troupe and realized that the South Korean media would focus on his sister.
Choi-rin, male, arrived in South Korea in 2011
I think that it is good that Vice President Pence has come to South Korea. He is from an important country in the world; it makes the Olympics look bigger. Because he is here, we can be sure that North Korea won't attack.
It does seem like it has become the North Korean Olympics. There has been so much attention on the cheerleaders, the dance troupe and now on Kim Yo-jong. South Korea seems like the little brother in the relationship. I guess that Kim Jong-un sent his sister because he wants to send a signal that he is seeking better relations with the United States.
Kim Un-kyung, female, arrived in 2009
I wish I could meet Vice President Pence. I would like to ask him if North Korean refugees can immigrate to the U.S. through Thailand or South Korea. They invited refugees to the White House, but it is important for them to welcome refugees to the country to live, not just to visit for political purposes.
I am impressed that North Korea sent many women this time. It is still a male-dominated country. Has there been a change internally in North Korea? Is it that they guessed that the West could be fooled into thinking there has been change by highlighting women? Or could it be that they have killed the influential older men who could challenge him?
I was unfamiliar with Kim Yo-jong before this, and I have heard the same from other North Korean refugees who arrived recently. So some people are curious about who she is.
One thing I find ironic is that the North Korean orchestra is singing South Korean songs -- in North Korea, they would be executed for doing that.
Lee Jin, female, arrived in 2006
I'm worried about Pence coming here. He is conservative and provocative like Trump. This is a clear signal that they will push North Korea on human rights. This could be a chance to have peace. Kim Jong-un may be showing that he realizes his nuclear strategy has succeeded but that he needs dialogue.
He is sending so many people, including his sister, to influence South Korea, so this could be a new start. He also may have seen the strong response to the dance troupe and realized that the South Korean media would focus on his sister.
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