South Korean - Writer | 1980 -
I defected to South Korea in search of freedom of speech and movement. I had longed to put my feet on this soil, even in my dreams.
Lee Hyeon-seo
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Here in South Korea, I'm continuing to learn English in order to boost my prospects. When North Korean defectors try to get a job to stabilize their lives, their lack of English is a handicap. It was the same story while I was living in China. It took an enormous amount of time and enthusiasm to learn Chinese.
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We considered the Dear Leader our god. That's huge. He's more than our parents. I thought all of the world respected Kim Il Sung. That's why we were bowing to their pictures.
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My mom told me many times how I need to be careful living inside the regime. We didn't say 'the regime.' We didn't even say 'North Korea.'
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We can have reunification if another power replaces Kim Jong Un. I don't know who it could be, but I hope and I believe another power, another person will be better.
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My life is not only mine. I am telling the story of all North Korean people; it is my responsibility to tell it.
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I did my best to hide by changing my name many times. But I was captured by the Chinese police. But because my Chinese was so good, they thought I was Chinese and released me. That was a miracle.
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In communism, we never had any freedom - of movement, of speech, of press. We didn't even make own decisions for our lives, our future. We were human robots.
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North Koreans are tragically oppressed. Despite the risks to my personal safety, I feel a strong obligation to tell the world about the Orwellian nightmare that North Koreans face.
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Keeping families and friends divided is unforgivable.
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History has proved that dictators can't last forever.
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My mom told me many times that when you are outside, you have to be careful what you are saying, and don't repeat the words of what you hear at home.
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