North Korean refugees speak out: 'My Hanawon experience' (6)

Korea Times file

More than 32,000 North Korean refugees have made it to South Korea, with almost every refugee passing through "Hanawon" since the first center opened on July 8, 1999. In the lead-up to a July 7 forum marking Hanawon's 20th anniversary, TNKR began asking North Korean refugees about their Hanawon experiences. Please check here for parts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. ― ED.

Jejoon, male, escaped from North Korea in 2011, arrived in South Korea in 2012

Hanawon is part of the process of adjusting to South Korea, so I could endure some uncomfortable things. When I was there, I wished Hanawon could have been extended a few months, and it would have been more useful if I could have had one week to experience South Korea on my own. That way, I would have been more focused on the lectures I was hearing.

It was good getting to know some of the people who had escaped from North Korea, we could understand each other very quickly. I had time to exercise and think about my life.

I needed some time to adjust to this society, I wanted to change my accent and I wanted more time to learn about South Korean culture. After I got out, I worked everywhere―a gas station, restaurants, construction. Physically things were not difficult, just choosing things was a problem initially, I couldn't make decisions about so many things. I don't know how much Hanawon prepared me for that, perhaps some of those things I learned did get me prepared. It was clear that of course they can't teach about an entire country in just a few months.

The rules were really strict, but I understand it. Hanawon staff are really familiar with North Korea, so they applied strict rules. The Hanawon curriculum was fine, the only problem was the rough guys who were angry at the world. If they learned that someone was from a nice part of North Korea, then they would target them. I think some of them didn't want to leave North Korea, so they were angry at others who criticized the country.

I think the staff also had to be tough so those bullies wouldn't dominate everything. Sometimes they were really tough, they knew that refugees wouldn't listen if they were soft. At times, it felt like another North Korea, I sometimes felt that I was back in the army in North Korea, there was zero tolerance for mistakes. The difference is that there were no beatings or executions by staff at Hanawon.

Jihyang, female, escaped North Korea in 2013, arrived in South Korea in 2015

When I arrived in Thailand, the South Korea government rushed me to South Korea. I was eight months pregnant when I arrived in South Korea. I was investigated for one week at NIS, then I spent 10 days at Hanawon. They questioned me there also, then moved me to a shelter for single mothers, I gave birth at the shelter, then left after two months. After that, I began raising my baby and studying at every center and opportunity the South Korean government gave. As you can imagine, it was very difficult escaping when I was pregnant, but I didn't want my baby to grow up in China, so I had to get out.

Joohui, female, escaped North Korea in 2013, arrived in South Korea in 2019

Some people say that Hanawon is really boring, but I wasn't bored at all. I had a tough time in China for several years working so hard, so Hanawon was kind of a break for me. For three months, I was able to rest, relax, and I could learn about South Korea. The things I remember the most are the music, exercise time, and sports. I learned some of the K-pop idol dances, so that was really interesting. When I was in North Korea, I didn't imagine that I would one day be in South Korea dancing to those K-pop songs with professional Korean dance teachers. I also remember when some U.S. soldiers went there to have a music performance, so that was really interesting, too.

So far my adjustment in South Korea has been really good. I have met many nice people who want to help me and they are concerned about what happens to me. And that includes TNKR, I am so lucky to have met you so quickly after coming to Seoul, I have realized how important it is to learn English here in South Korea, so I am studying so hard.

I had an I.D. card when I was in China so I didn't need to come here. Studying is really important, that's why I came here, I want to find myself. I had to make a big decision, because I was starting to get settled down in China, but I had to support my brothers who are still in North Korea. They still aren't interested in escaping to South Korea, but hopefully if I make a good life here then they will think more seriously about coming here. I will do my best, and one day I hope I can properly thank you in English.

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 was recently named the 2019 winner of a "Challenge Maker" Award from Challenge Korea. TNKR co-founder Eunkoo Lee translated the remarks of the refugees from Korean to English.