Why do NK refugees take to the stage?

Park Eun-hee, the winner of the 9th English Speech Contest organized by Freedom Speakers International, also gave a TEDx Talk in late 2018. Courtesy of Casey Lartigue Jr.

On August 27, 2022, Freedom Speakers International (FSI) will be holding its 16th English Speech Contest. North Korean refugees were asked what motivated them to participate in the contest.―Ed.

Soo-yeon

She escaped from North Korea in 2011 and arrived in South Korea in 2011.

I am so nervous about speaking at the contest. I know that my English is not good. I am also shy and I don't have confidence about myself.

Despite that, I believe that it is a great opportunity to give a speech in English. Freedom Speakers International is making it possible for North Korean refugees to share their stories with the world. I am so thankful to the co-founders and volunteers for creating such a wonderful platform.

It is a great chance for North Korean refugees to learn from other North Korean refugees. I am from North Korea, but every experience is different so this gives me a chance to learn about different experiences of others. I am nervous about giving a public speech live online, but I am really looking forward to speaking at FSI's English Speech Contest.
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Chul-soo

He escaped from North Korea in 2004 and arrived in South Korea in 2004.

I wanted to study through the FSI English mentoring program. I decided to participate in the English speech contest because I thought it would be a good opportunity. I think participating in the contest can be helpful for me because it is an opportunity to deliver a formal speech in English. I think it's also a good opportunity for North Korean refugees who want to talk about their life stories in English.

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Min-ju

She escaped from North Korea in 2013 and arrived in the United States in 2014.

I am joining the contest because I think it will be a great new experience. I always get great energy and new experiences with Freedom Speakers International.

This kind of contest is valuable because if you speak English, people from all over the world can understand you. It is a great chance for me to practice public speaking and to tell my story.

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Su-jong

She escaped from North Korea in 2018 and arrived in South Korea in 2018.

I want to talk about the life that I experienced in North Korea. First of all, I want to depict the "real" lives of North Koreans, not the fabricated stories that the North Korean government wants to show to the outside world.
Second, I hope people pay more attention to North Korean human rights issues.
I am participating in this English speech contest in the hope of helping North Koreans live in a freer world like ours someday.
English is a window of communication. I hope that the world can learn more about the reality of North Koreans through this window.

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Jung-in

She escaped from North Korea in 2007 and arrived in South Korea in 2013.

I think a great way to improve my English is to participate in an English speaking contest. I could see how much my English ability improved after participating in two competitions before.

I need a platform where I can tell my story honestly. I think that's the FSI's speech contest. It's so good that my story can be shared with the participants and many people who are interested in North Korea.

I believe it is really important for North Korean defectors to be able to speak out. There are still many people with a negative view of North Korean defectors. Their negative gazes stigmatizing those of us from North Korea may be resolved naturally after more time passes by. However, if we can make our voices heard, even a little bit, if we can tell the truth about how difficult life can be for North Korean defectors, the time will probably be shortened. I am joining FSI's speech contest again so I can share my thoughts in English. It is good that other North Korean defectors can share their stories here as well.

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Young-hee

She escaped from North Korea in 2011 and arrived in South Korea in 2012.

English is essential when you settle down in South Korea, to get a good job and to enjoy various activities. It is not easy for to concentrate on studying English because I take care of my child and also work to support my family. But with FSI, I could naturally learn English while looking up and studying new words when I talk about my life story.

I can also answer people's questions on North Korea when I talk about my life in English.
It is good that I can learn English and also reveal the reality of North Korea through FSI.
Usually, people have indifferent or negative views on North Korea issues. But I appreciate that FSI and its supporters always have affection and interests on North Korean refugees and try to communicate with us like good friends. I hope I can be with FSI for a long time.

Most North Korean refugees have sad stories, but most of them want to hide their stories. They might be afraid of retaliation from North Korea, or it might be because of low self-esteem. However, through FSI and communicating in English, I witnessed that many refugees improved their awareness, elevated their self-esteem, and cultivated a global mindset.

FSI is playing an important role in awakening and unleashing the potential of North Korean refugees. Through FSI, more North Korean refugees will not only reveal the truth and reality of North Korea, but also will grow into individuals who can help people achieve freedom in North Korea. I believe it is important for North Korean refugees to learn English and grow through FSI.

Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder of Freedom Speakers International, edited this text for publication. Lee Eun-koo, co-founder of FSI, and Park Jee-yeon, Translator and Interpreter of FSI, translated the remarks of the North Korean refugees from Korean to English. The names of the North Korean refugees have all been changed.