My escape from North Korea | Hyeonseo Lee | TED

Summary

The speaker recounts her childhood in North Korea, where she was taught to see America, South Korea, and Japan as enemies. After witnessing public execution and the devastating famine of the 1990s, she was sent to China to live with relatives. As a North Korean refugee, she faced danger and fear of repatriation. Despite the challenges, she made her way to South Korea, where she faced an identity crisis and the stark differences between the two Koreas. She helped her family escape, enduring numerous arrests and imprisonments, before finally reuniting in South Korea. The speaker emphasizes the importance of international support for North Korean refugees and their potential to change North Korea from within.

Takeaways

• 😢 The speaker grew up in North Korea, believing it was the best country and unaware of the suffering of its people.
• 😱 The first exposure to the harsh reality came through a letter detailing starvation within the country.
• 👀 Witnessing public execution and a mother and child dying of starvation were turning points that shattered the speaker's innocence.
• 🌑 The mid-1990s famine in North Korea was devastating, with over a million deaths and survivors resorting to eating grass and bugs.
• 🏙 The contrast between the dark North Korea and the lit-up China across the river was a stark reminder of the disparity.
• 🚸 The journey to escape North Korea was fraught with danger, including the risk of death while crossing the Amnok River.
• 🚨 Living as a North Korean refugee in China was perilous due to the illegal migrant status and constant threat of repatriation.
• 👮‍♀️ A harrowing experience with Chinese police interrogation highlighted the high stakes of being discovered.
• 🏥 The struggle continued in South Korea with the need to learn a new language and adapt to a different culture.
• 🤝 The kindness of strangers and international support played a crucial role in the speaker's journey to freedom and assistance for others.
• 🌟 The speaker's story is a testament to the resilience of North Koreans and their hope for a better future with global assistance.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial perception of their country during their childhood?

The speaker initially thought their country was the best on the planet and grew up singing a song called 'Nothing To Envy,' feeling very proud.

What did the speaker learn about other countries in school?

In school, the speaker learned about the history of Kim Il-Sung but not much about the outside world, except that America, South Korea, and Japan were considered enemies.

How did the speaker's perspective on their country change?

The speaker's perspective changed after witnessing a public execution at the age of seven and later learning about the suffering of people in their country through a letter and personal experiences during the famine.

What was the impact of the famine in North Korea during the mid-1990s?

The famine led to more than a million North Koreans dying, with survivors resorting to eating grass, bugs, and tree bark. It also caused frequent power outages, plunging the country into darkness at night.

Why did the speaker leave North Korea?

The speaker was sent to China to live with distant relatives during the famine years, initially thinking it would be a short separation.

What challenges did the speaker face as a North Korean refugee in China?

The speaker faced challenges such as living without their family, the constant fear of being discovered as a North Korean refugee, and the danger of being repatriated to North Korea.

How did the speaker narrowly avoid being repatriated after being caught by the Chinese police?

The speaker managed to control their emotions and answer the police's questions convincingly, leading the officials to believe the report was false and letting them go.

Why did the speaker decide to risk going to South Korea after hiding their identity for 10 years?

The speaker decided to go to South Korea to start a new life, seeking better opportunities and freedom.

What difficulties did the speaker encounter while settling in South Korea?

The speaker faced difficulties such as learning English, dealing with the cultural gap between North and South Korea, and experiencing an identity crisis.

How did the speaker help their family escape from North Korea?

The speaker planned and guided their family through a dangerous journey of over 2,000 miles in China and Southeast Asia, facing numerous challenges and close calls with authorities.

What was the turning point for the speaker's family during their escape journey?

The turning point was when a kind stranger paid the remaining money needed to get the speaker's family and two other North Koreans out of jail in Laos.