What I learned about freedom after escaping North Korea | Yeonmi Park | TED

Summary

The speaker, born in North Korea in 1993, recounts her childhood marked by hunger and her father's imprisonment for feeding the family. At 13, she and her sister fled to China, driven by starvation. She describes North Korea as a place where concepts like love and freedom are distorted, and critical thinking is absent. Now in the U.S., she stresses the importance of teaching compassion and fighting for human rights, warning that freedom is fragile and can be lost in just three generations.

Takeaways

• 🏡 The speaker was born in North Korea and experienced extreme poverty and hunger.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker's father was sent to a labor camp for engaging in 'illegal trading' to feed his family.
• 🚸 At the ages of 16 and 13, the speaker and her sister decided to escape North Korea to avoid starvation.
• 🌃 The concept of 'escape' in North Korea is driven by the desperate need for survival.
• 🔥 The decision to escape was akin to jumping out of a burning building, with no clear plan or knowledge of what lay ahead.
• 🌐 Life in North Korea is described as being on a different planet, with no concept of romantic love or critical thinking.
• 🤔 The speaker was unaware of the luxury in which the North Korean leader lived, believing him to be a god-like figure.
• 🔒 The true nature of isolation and oppression is not recognized by those who are cut off from the outside world.
• 🌟 The speaker emphasizes that concepts like compassion and justice must be taught, as they are not innately understood.
• 🌱 After escaping, the speaker learned the value of compassion and the importance of fighting for human rights.
• 🌍 The speaker warns of the fragility of freedom and the importance of advocating for those who are oppressed.
• 💪 Despite a past filled with hardship, the speaker believes in the possibility of miracles and a better life.

Q & A

Where was the speaker born and what was their family situation?

The speaker was born in 1993 in Hyesan, a town in the northern part of North Korea on the border with China. They had loving parents and one older sister.

What happened to the speaker's father and why?

The speaker's father was sent to a labor camp for engaging in illegal trading, which involved selling clogs, sugar, rice, and later copper to feed the family.

Why did the speaker and her sister decide to escape from North Korea?

The speaker and her sister decided to escape because they were starving, and hunger meant death in North Korea. They saw the lights from China and hoped to find food there.

What was the speaker's understanding of the concept of 'escape' at the time?

The speaker didn't fully understand the concept of escape but was driven by the hope of finding food and a better life, similar to the instinct to escape a burning building.

How does the speaker describe the experience of living in North Korea?

The speaker describes living in North Korea as being on a totally different planet, with conditions and concepts that are unimaginable and indescribable to those who haven't experienced it.

What was the only meaning of the word 'love' in North Korea according to the speaker?

In North Korea, the word 'love' had only one meaning: love for the Dear Leader. There was no concept of romantic love.

How did the speaker feel about the Dear Leader growing up, and how did this change after escaping?

Growing up, the speaker believed the Dear Leader was an almighty god who could read thoughts and was starving for the people. After escaping, she learned he was a dictator living an ultra-luxurious life.

What is the main question people ask the speaker about North Korea's lack of revolution?

People often ask why there has been no revolution in North Korea despite 70 years of oppression, questioning if the people are unaware or lack the will to fight for freedom.

What does the speaker believe is necessary for humans to understand right from wrong?

The speaker believes that everything, including the concepts of justice, compassion, and what one deserves, must be taught to humans; they do not inherently know the difference between right and wrong.

How does the speaker feel about the current situation of human rights discussions involving North Korea?

The speaker is concerned that human rights are not being prioritized in discussions with North Korea, and she fears the implications of a world where dictators can be praised despite their oppressive actions.

What message does the speaker have for her fellow North Koreans still living in the country?

The speaker wants her fellow North Koreans to know that an alternative life is possible and that they should believe in the possibility of freedom and a better life.

What lesson does the speaker say she learned from history, and why is it important?

The speaker learned from history that nothing is forever in this world, which is why she believes in miracles and the importance of hope, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Escaping North Korea: A Personal Journey

The speaker, born in 1993 in Hyesan, North Korea, shares her early life experiences, including her father's imprisonment for illegal trading to provide for the family. At the age of 13, she and her sister decided to escape North Korea due to the extreme hunger and the realization that their only option was to leave. The concept of escape was foreign to her, but the allure of the lights from China symbolized hope. The decision to escape was likened to jumping out of a burning building to escape certain death. She emphasizes the difficulty of describing life in North Korea, comparing it to living on a different planet, and explains the lack of certain concepts like romantic love and critical thinking under the regime. She also shares her initial belief in the Dear Leader's divinity and her later disillusionment upon learning about his luxurious lifestyle.

05:01

🗣️ The Illusion of Isolation and the Power of Education

The speaker discusses the paradox of isolation in North Korea, where she was unaware of her own isolation because she believed she was in the center of the universe. She challenges the notion that humans inherently know right from wrong, arguing that everything, including compassion, must be taught. She provides a personal example of her own lack of empathy while in North Korea, which changed once she learned the concept of compassion. Now living in the United States, she expresses concern over the current political climate, where human rights are not prioritized, and dictators are praised. She calls for vigilance in protecting freedom and human rights, emphasizing the importance of fighting for those who are oppressed and without a voice.

10:05

🕊️ From Slavery to Freedom: The Power of Hope

The speaker recounts her own journey from being bought and sold as a slave to standing as a free person, illustrating that anything is possible. She reflects on the transient nature of worldly circumstances, drawing from history to assert that nothing lasts forever, which is why hope is always justified. She concludes with a message of hope and freedom to her fellow North Koreans, assuring them that an alternative life is not only possible but also attainable.

Keywords

💡Escape

Escape, in the context of the video, refers to the act of fleeing from a place or situation that is dangerous, restrictive, or undesirable. The speaker and her sister's decision to escape North Korea was driven by the extreme poverty and hunger they faced, which was a matter of life and death. The concept of escape is central to the video's theme as it symbolizes the pursuit of freedom and a better life, contrasting the oppressive environment they were born into.

💡Labor Camp

A labor camp is a facility where individuals are detained and forced to perform manual labor, often under harsh and inhumane conditions. In the video, the speaker's father was sent to a labor camp for engaging in 'illegal trading' to provide for his family. This term is crucial as it highlights the severity of the punishment for minor offenses in North Korea and the broader issue of human rights abuses within the country.

💡Starvation

Starvation refers to the extreme lack of food, leading to malnutrition and potentially death. The speaker mentions that hunger means death in North Korea, emphasizing the dire circumstances that led to their decision to escape. Starvation is a key concept in the video as it underscores the desperation and the lack of basic necessities that many North Koreans face.

💡Isolation

Isolation, as discussed in the video, means being cut off from the rest of the world, both physically and informationally. The speaker describes North Korea as a place where people are isolated not only geographically but also from global information and perspectives. This isolation is a central theme of the video, as it illustrates the government's control over its citizens and the impact on their understanding of the world.

💡Dear Leader

The term 'Dear Leader' is used in North Korea to refer to the country's supreme leader with a sense of reverence and devotion. The speaker recounts her childhood belief in the Dear Leader's divine powers and his selfless dedication to the people. This keyword is significant as it reflects the deep-rooted cult of personality and the indoctrination that is part of North Korean society.

💡Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze and evaluate information objectively. The speaker contrasts her past inability to question what she was told with her later realizations about the nature of her government. The concept of critical thinking is important in the video as it represents the power of questioning and the importance of independent thought for personal freedom and understanding.

💡Compassion

Compassion is the feeling of empathy and sympathy for others, often leading to a desire to alleviate their suffering. The speaker explains that she did not feel compassion while in North Korea because she had not been taught the concept. This keyword is integral to the video's message as it highlights the role of education and experience in developing moral and emotional sensibilities.

💡Freedom

Freedom, in the context of the video, encompasses the absence of oppression and the ability to live life without undue restrictions. The speaker contrasts her life in North Korea with her current life in the United States, where she experiences freedom. Freedom is a central theme of the video, as it represents the ultimate goal of the speaker's escape and her advocacy for human rights.

💡Human Rights

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled, including the right to life, liberty, and security of person. The speaker discusses the neglect of human rights in her homeland and the importance of advocating for those who are oppressed. This keyword is crucial to the video's message as it underscores the universal importance of human rights and the responsibility to protect them.

💡Oppression

Oppression refers to the unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power, often resulting in the subjugation of a people or group. The speaker describes the oppressive conditions in North Korea, where citizens live in fear and without basic freedoms. This keyword is essential to the video as it highlights the systemic abuse of power that defines life in the country.

💡Miracles

Miracles, in the video, symbolize extraordinary events or outcomes that seem to defy natural or possible explanations. The speaker uses the term to express her belief in the possibility of overcoming adversity and achieving a better life, drawing from her own transformation from a North Korean defector to a free individual. This keyword serves to inspire hope and resilience in the face of extreme challenges.

Highlights

Born in 1993 in Hyesan, North Korea, a border town with China.

Father sent to labor camp for engaging in illegal trading to feed the family.

Decision to escape North Korea at the ages of 13 and 16 due to starvation.

The concept of 'escape' in North Korea equates to survival.

The lights from China symbolized hope and a potential escape from hunger.

Lack of a plan or maps; escape was a desperate act of survival.

Comparison of escaping North Korea to jumping out of a burning building.

The indescribability of life in North Korea, likened to living on a different planet.

The singular meaning of 'love' in North Korea: love for the Dear Leader.

The Dear Leader was believed to be an almighty god, capable of reading thoughts.

The shock of discovering the Dear Leader's luxurious lifestyle after escaping.

The importance of teaching critical thinking and the ability to see beyond propaganda.

The question of why there is no revolution in North Korea despite 70 years of oppression.

The realization of isolation and the need for education on freedom and human rights.

The necessity to teach compassion and empathy, which were absent in North Korea.

Living in the United States as a free person after escaping North Korea.

Concern over President Trump's decision not to prioritize human rights in negotiations.

The fragility of freedom and the importance of fighting for human rights.

The importance of caring for those who cannot speak for themselves, like North Koreans.

A message of hope to fellow North Koreans, assuring them that an alternative life is possible.

The belief in miracles and the idea that nothing is forever, providing hope for change.

Transcripts

I was born in 1993 in the northern part of North Korea,

in a town called Hyesan,

which is on the border with China.

I had loving parents

and one older sister.

Before I was even 10 years old,

my father was sent to a labor camp

for engaging in illegal trading.

Now, by "illegal trading" --

he was selling clogs, sugar, rice and later copper

to feed us.

In 2007, my sister and I decided to escape.

She was 16 years old,

and I was 13 years old.

I need you to understand what the word "escape" means

in the context of North Korea.

We were all starving,

and hunger means death in North Korea.

So it was the only option for us.

I didn't even understand the concept of escape,

but I could see the lights from China at night,

and I wondered if I go where the light is,

I might be able to find a bowl of rice.

It's not like we had a grand plan or maps.

We did not know anything about what was going to happen.

Imagine your apartment building caught fire.

I mean, what would you do?

Would you stay there to be burned,

or would you jump off out of the window

and see what happens?

That's what we did.

We jumped out of the house

instead of the fire.

North Korea is unimaginable.

It's very hard for me

when people ask me what it feels like to live there.

To be honest,

I tell you:

you can't even imagine it.

The words in any language can't describe,

because it's a totally different planet,

as you cannot imagine your life on Mars right now.

For example, the word "love" has only one meaning:

love for the Dear Leader.

There's no concept of romantic love in North Korea.

And if you don't know the words,

that means you don't understand the concept,

and therefore, you don't even realize that concept is even a possibility.

Let me give you another example.

Growing up in North Korea,

we truly believed that our Dear Leader is an almighty god

who can even read my thoughts.

I was even afraid to think in North Korea.

We are told that he's starving for us,

and he's working tirelessly for us,

and my heart just broke for him.

When I escaped to South Korea,

people told me that he was actually a dictator,

he had cars,

many, many resorts,

and he had an ultraluxurious life.

And then I remember looking at a picture of him,

realizing for the first time

that he is the largest guy in the picture.

(Laughter)

And it hit me.

Finally, I realized he wasn't starving.

But I was never able to see that before,

until someone told me that he was fat.

(Laughter)

Really, someone had to teach me that he was fat.

If you have never practiced critical thinking,

then you simply see what you're told to see.

The biggest question also people ask me

is: "Why is there no revolution inside North Korea?

Are we dumb?

Why is there no revolution for 70 years of this oppression?"

And I say:

If you don't know you're a slave,

if you don't know you're isolated or oppressed,

how do you fight to be free?

I mean, if you know you're isolated,

that means you are not isolated.

Not knowing is the true definition of isolation,

and that's why I never knew

I was isolated when I was in North Korea.

I literally thought I was in the center of the universe.

So here is my idea worth spreading:

a lot of people think

humans inherently know what is right and wrong,

the difference between justice and injustice,

what we deserve and we don't deserve.

I tell them: BS.

(Laughter)

(Applause)

Everything,

everything must be taught,

including compassion.

If I see someone dying on the street right now,

I will do anything to save that person.

But when I was in North Korea,

I saw people dying and dead on the streets.

I felt nothing.

Not because I'm a psychopath,

but because I never learned the concept of compassion.

Only, I felt compassion, empathy and sympathy in my heart

after I learned the word "compassion" and the concept,

and I feel them now.

Now I live in the United States as a free person.

(Applause)

Thank you.

(Applause)

And recently,

the leader of the free country, our President Trump,

met with my former god.

And he decided human rights is not important enough

to include in his agendas,

and he did not talk about it.

And it scares me.

We live in a world right now

where a dictator can be praised for executing his uncle,

for killing his half brother,

killing thousands of North Koreans.

And that was worthy of praise.

And also it made me think:

perhaps we all need to be taught something new about freedom now.

Freedom is fragile.

I don't want to alarm you, but it is.

It only took three generations

to make North Korea into George Orwell's "1984."

It took only three generations.

If we don't fight for human rights

for the people who are oppressed right now who don't have a voice,

as free people here,

who will fight for us when we are not free?

Machines? Animals? I don't know.

I think it's wonderful that we care about climate change,

animal rights, gender equality,

all of these things.

The fact that we care about animals' rights,

that means that's how beautiful our heart is,

that we care about someone who cannot speak for themselves.

And North Koreans right now cannot speak for themselves.

They don't have internet in the 21st century.

We don't have electricity,

and it is the darkest place on earth right now.

Now I want to say something to my fellow North Koreans

who are living in that darkness.

They might not believe this,

but I want to tell them that an alternative life is possible.

Be free.

From my experience,

literally anything is possible.

I was bought,

I was sold as a slave.

But now I'm here,

and that is why I believe in miracles.

The one thing that I learned from history

is that nothing is forever in this world.

And that is why we have every reason to be hopeful.

Thank you.

(Applause)