A female North Korean refugee who arrived in the U.S. a year ago said she found the life in America "too comfortable."
In an interview with RFA, Cho Jin-hye, who arrived in the U.S. from China a year ago, described her life in America as "too comfortable."
"But at the same time, I am very busy and feel a day's time is too short for me. When I was in North Korea or in China, life was too difficult to endure. And a day there felt like 10 years."
Cho currently divides her new life in the U.S. between study in daytime and work at night. Her school work mostly involves improving her English.
Cho said she is busy in America because she is "determined to live happily and well," adding, "Looking back on my one-year life here, I have only good memories."
One of her favorite memories was when she was invited to speak to Harvard students last December, sharing her ordeals in North Korea.
"I felt things are hopeful with North Koreans in the future because many people are interested in North Korea."
The most often heard questions she received form Harvard students were: 'Did people in North Korea really starve to death?' 'The international community provided the North with food. How come they don't have enough rice to eat then?'
While in China, Cho was repatriated back to North Korea four times, serving a total of one year in prison. One of the things she appreciates most in the U.S., besides freedom, is the educational opportunity.
"I've never been to school until I was well over 20 years old. I am very grateful to the educational opportunity in the United States. In America, you can study if you want."