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SCMP
Asia

The Korea Times

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Tue, May 30, 2023 | 20:32

North Korean refugee's unification wish: 'I have a dream'

North Korean refugee's unification wish: 'I have a dream'

Since the North-South Korea summit was held in Panmunjom in the spring of 2018, a peaceful atmosphere on the Korean Peninsula has been created. According to the research done by Seoul National University in 2018, the people's perception of unification was improved.

2019-11-09 11:02

Why North Korean defectors learn English (8)

Why North Korean defectors learn English (8)

When I was in North Korea, I learned English for one reason: to curse American soldiers as they were dying after I had shot them. When I went to the USA, it felt so strange because I had been taught to hate Americans, but they seemed normal, gentle, even strangers smile at you.

2019-11-02 10:06

North Korean defectors: 'Please, don't ask me about…' (Part 2)

North Korean defectors: 'Please, don't ask me about…' (Part 2)

I don't want to talk about North Korea. When people ask, I just avoid answering. South Koreans see North Koreans as poor, starving, beggars. That makes me feel sad, then when I hear South Koreans talk about North Korea like that, then I don't want to reveal that I am from there.

2019-10-27 13:41

North Korean refugees speak out: 'My Hanawon experience' (7)

North Korean refugees speak out: 'My Hanawon experience' (7)

Hanawon was fun. After a difficult escape, Hanawon was a relaxing and calm time. It was the most comfortable and enjoyable time I have had in Korea.

2019-10-16 10:31

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 3)

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 3)

My English is so bad. Please don’t let people know I am studying English now. After I arrived in South Korea I had surgery done on my eyes to fix a problem, so it is possible that I won’t be as recognizable as before. Anyway, my mother is still in North Korea so I am sensitive to photos and being identified as a North Korean refugee. I don’t want to do anything that could put...

2019-10-13 10:02

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 2)

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 2)

I was on TV in the past so I am actually okay with photos. When I first arrived here I would run from cameras and refused to let anyone take my photo, even close friends. My brother is still in North Korea in an influential position, so I don’t want him to have any trouble. These days, I don’t run from cameras, but I don’t want people to mention political things about North K...

2019-10-07 10:47

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 1)

Taking photos with North Korean refugees (Part 1)

Please, no, I hope the volunteers won’t try to take my photo, I really don’t want it. I have a couple of reasons for wanting to maintain my privacy. I worked at a casino when I was in North Korea, so I was connected with some high-level government officials and I know about their corruption. They think I am dead because my family reported that I was missing. Second, I still h...

2019-10-05 10:42

'Have you ever considered returning to North Korea?' (Part 2)

'Have you ever considered returning to North Korea?' (Part 2)

No, I haven't thought about it. North Korea was hell for me. I had to pretend to be someone I wasn't so I wouldn't get into trouble.

2019-09-30 09:51

'Have you ever considered returning to North Korea?' (Part 1)

'Have you ever considered returning to North Korea?' (Part 1)

I thought about it a lot when I first arrived. I had left my family behind in North Korea, I was here on my own. South Koreans seemed to be so unsympathetic and uncaring.

2019-09-29 15:06

'Have you ever considered returning to North Korea?' (Part 2)

NK defectors talk about death of mother, son who may have starved

NK defectors talk about death of mother, son who may have starved

There have been international headlines for the past month about a North Korean refugee named Ms. Han Sung-ok who reportedly starved to death in Seoul.

2019-09-21 09:07

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