I Survived North Korea

Summary

The speaker, born to a Chinese father and North Korean mother, endured abandonment, starvation, and imprisonment in labor camps after being deported from China. Despite the harrowing experiences, they managed to escape North Korea twice, risking death to find freedom. Eventually reaching the United States, they've rebuilt their life, learning English, graduating high school, and working as a sushi chef, embodying the American dream and the resilience of the human spirit.

Takeaways

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Born to a Chinese father and North Korean mother, the speaker faced early family abandonment and loss.
• 🏡 At age five, the speaker was taken to China by their step-brother, where life was initially better.
• 🚫 Despite seeking refuge, the Chinese government did not recognize North Koreans as refugees and deported them.
• 🗣️ Accused of attempting to defect to South Korea, the speaker was imprisoned and endured a labor camp at the age of 15.
• 🥣 Starvation was a constant threat, with only 150 kernels of corn allowed per day in the labor camp.
• 💪 After release due to severe health issues, the speaker worked in a dangerous coal mine, witnessing frequent accidents and fatalities.
• 🚆 Realizing the dire conditions, the speaker decided to risk escape from North Korea despite the high chances of being killed if caught.
• 🌧️ The escape involved hiding, evading police, and a daring jump from a moving train to freedom.
• 🌉 The journey to the border involved a perilous river crossing, where the speaker faced the threat of being shot but chose to continue.
• 🌎 After a harrowing escape, the speaker was helped to reach Southeast Asia and eventually the United States.
• 🏆 In the U.S., the speaker has learned English, graduated high school, and worked as a sushi chef, embracing the opportunities for a better life.
• 🤔 The speaker contemplates their survival and the many who did not make it, feeling a responsibility to share their story as a testament to resilience.

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