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Wed, July 17, 2019 | 08:00

Defectors' views on Kim-Trump summit

I cried when I saw the Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un shake hands. When I was in North Korea, I was taught to hate Americans and America, that North Korea must destroy the USA, and that I must attack Americans whenever I see them. Now that I am free,

2018-06-23 11:08

Why North Korean defectors learn English (4)

There have been so many “moments” when I realized that I needed English. When I was living in China, I saw South Korean videos and dramas for the first time. And so many times, they would say words I didn't understand even though they were speaking Korean.

2018-06-10 12:42

Which businesses will be hot if North Korea opens its market?

If there is change in North Korea, then I think the architecture and real estate businesses will be hot. There is a lot of land that is not being used, so people involved in designing and building museums, office buildings and homes will be needed.

2018-06-03 10:19

North Korean defectors' view on Trump's summit cancellation

He is a businessman, so if the terms of the deal change, then he will return to the negotiation table. If it looks like a deal won’t happen, then he will do what he said: Walk away from the table. North Korea probably thought it could get away with the same tactics it used with other U.S. presidents, that they could push him. So I’m not disappointed, I see this as being part ...

2018-05-26 15:58

Why North Korean defectors learn English (3)

On my freedom flight to South Korea, I saw flight attendants talking to everyone in different languages. That moment touched my heart. Being able to fly around the world represents true freedom for me, unlike my life in North Korea. I am now preparing for the flight attendant exam. When I was in North Korea last year, I was studying piano and singing, so I had only memorized ...

2018-05-19 10:07

North Korean refugees and public speaking

After I gave a speech last Friday at an international school in Seoul last Friday, I was thrilled to answer a South Korean middle school student who had stunned me by asking an informative question that I had never heard or been asked. I have heard so many of the same questions at events where I have spoken, moderated or attended that I started compiling a list of frequently ...

2018-05-13 13:22

Defectors' perspective: Is Kim Jong-un's denuclearization commitment sincere?

If North Korea opens, then I should be able to see my parents. It is unbelievable; I can't trust anything from North Korea because I was deceived by it so many times. Everything about the leadership is propaganda, that's why I'm still upset at the images of South Koreans applauding Kim Jong-un.

2018-05-05 10:29

Defectors vs. refugees over North Korea's denuclearization

In my blog post two weeks ago, I discussed the optimism that North Korean defectors have about the possibility of change in North Korea. Since then, I have heard from a few North Korean refugees who are not convinced. It isn't 100 percent uniform, but I have noticed a general split between defectors and refugees when it comes to prospects for change in North Korea.

2018-04-22 10:16

Why do North Korean defectors learn English? (2)

Q: Many North Korean refugees struggle to learn English. Many refugees who drop out of college cite English as a major reason. What was the moment you realized you needed to learn English to adjust to life in South Korea?Suhyeong, female, arrived in South Korea in 2015I studied basic English when I was in North Korea, but I feel like a baby at English here. What I learned was...

2018-04-15 13:57

How much longer can North Korea survive?

At almost every discussion featuring speakers discussing North Korea, I have heard the question: How much longer can North Korea survive? The usual answer since the early 1990s has been: five to seven years. Recently, I have detected a change. Instead of five to seven years, a few former members of the North Korean elite have told me that they expect it will be months before ...

2018-04-08 14:30

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