I'm Jihyun Park, North Korean refugee and survivor of human trafficking.

On 27th July 2015, EAHRNK’s Jihyun Park held EAHRNK’s first ever RedditAMA.

Please find below the transcript of that AMA session. Whilst the chronology of some of the questions have been edited, in order to group similar themes and questions together, neither the questions themselves nor Jihyun’s responses have been altered.

You can view the original Reddit AMA here.

Hello everyone! My name is Jihyun Park proof and I'm a North Korean refugee living in the UK. I first escaped North Korea with my brother in 1998. We travelled into China where we were preyed on by human traffickers that separated us and sold me into a forced marriage to a Chinese farmer for 5,000 yuan. I had a child who was deemed stateless by the Chinese government. In 2004 local villagers reported me to the authorities and I was repatriated to North Korea and endured horrific conditions in a labour camp. I developed gangrene and the guards threw me out of the prison as they believed I was close to death. A kind stranger nursed me and helped me to escape for the final time and reunite with my son.

We now live in the United Kingdom, and I work for the [European Alliance for Human Rights in North Korea](www.eahrnk.org) as North Korean Outreach and Project Officer. Earlier this year I was featured in this short documentary on my experiences. I want to empower the North Korean community in Europe by launching support projects, and I'm currently fundraising to launch them in October 2015. If you are interested in this work, take a look at the Indiegogo campaign. Felicity helped me with this AMA.

Life in North Korea

SatSapienti: I find north Korea extremely interesting probably because there is so much rumour and mystery surrounding it. Are there any assumptions that people have about north Korea that are incorrect; for better or for worse?

JihyunParkNK: I agree, there is a lot of rumour and unconfirmed reports in the media these days. But these are not accurate portrayal of the real North Korea, the North Korea I experienced. I believe that an incorrect assumption is that they are all brainwashed. People who have defected recently have said they know more about the outside world and the lies told about the government.

Maximilian1271: How trustworthy is western information about North Korea/Does western media reflect the current situation in North Korea accurately
and
What is the public opinion of the citizens of North Korea towards the North Korean regime? Do citizens of North Korea know that the outside world is "better" (in terms of human rights, politics and progress of technology) than NK or does the majority of people believe in the state propaganda?

JihyunParkNK: Hello, Maximilian! Some media sources are better than others. I'd like to recommend New Focus International.

It has been some time since I left North Korea, so I can't speak for those still there. However, reports have said that defectors are increasingly aware of the outside world and more capitalistic than they were ten years ago. I hope this answers your question!

martinmine: When I read news articles mentioning North Korea, I often feel they are quickly to judge, thus becoming less objective. Do you feel that the media is being objective enough when writing about North Korea, and how do you feel this affects the current situation?

JihyunParkNK: The media are very quick to jump to sensationalism. Stories about nuclear weapons or "funny" stories about the North Korean Embassy threatening a London hairdresser dominate the news and ordinary North Koreans are forgotten. I would like to see the media interview more North Korean refugees, so that our stories can be heard across the world.

carlos1251: I'm really interested in North Korean history, is there a book you'd recommend me?

Gewehr98 : (in response to carlos1251): not necessarily history but Barbara Demick's Nothing to Envy is an absolute must-read if you want to learn more about the life of an ordinary North Korean.

JihyunParkNK: I agree. Many of my colleagues at EAHRNK also got interested in North Korea by reading this book.

kdeezey: Do people realize the country is corrupt and Kim Jung Un and so on are viewed as crazy dictators? I know there is a large amount of "brainwashing" but does everyone kind of see beyond it but are too afraid to say anything?

JihyunParkNK: I can only speak from my experience in the rural areas of North Korea, I believe it is different for those living in Pyongyang where conditions are more comfortable.

I was brainwashed from birth and truly believed in the authority of the regime - I had no reason not to. But when life became hard in the 1990s during the Arduous March, I realised I could no longer rely on the regime. Since then conditions have only become worse. North Korean people have to concentrate on surviving, this means complying with the state and not speaking out. You could say that they are too afraid, but they doing all they can to continue their lives.

StackOfChips25: What is the general attitude of the North Korean people towards their leader Kim Jong-un? Do they believe the stories published through official channels or do they take them with a pinch of salt?

JihyunParkNK: I left North Korea before Kim Jong-un came to power, so I cannot say how people in North Korea today view him.

asdd1937: Hey Jihyun, if the Kim dynasty ends, do you see North Korea's government falling and reuniting with the south or continuing in its current totalitarian form albeit with a few changes?

JihyunParkNK: This is hard to predict. We should avoid a continuation of the current regime at all costs, and I'm not sure how we can ensure that by preserving the current totalitarian form. In my personal opinion I believe that reunification would be ideal.

nebulablast: Hello, I'm from Brazil and I want to know how can they keep that government, how can people don't revolt in that conditions?

JihyunParkNK: Hello Brazil! Since the 1990s, the government has made people suffer through a famine. People who are starving are only thinking of filling their bellies - they do not have the strength to revolt.

Erected_naps: I hear there is widespread famine in North Korea is this true could you elaborate why has there been a food shortage?

JihyunParkNK: I experienced the famine in the 1990s. Although I cannot confirm the conditions currently, I know that North Korea has never recovered from that time. The problems in the 1990s arose from the economic crisis, the food distribution system failed, harsh weather ruined crops... 3 million people died of hunger.

the-d-man: I saw a news article the other day talking about pets in NK. Could you elaborate on it? Do the average citizens there have cats or dogs or any sort of domesticated pets?

JihyunParkNK: Yes, I read this article - but you must keep in mind that it was about Pyongyang, but that's not the real North Korea.

When I was younger, we had pigs and dogs but we looked after them for the government. They were not pets. Every year we would send one or two pigs as a donation to the army, it was an obligation. We had to keep these animals alive for the regime.

the-d-man: Since you were keeping them alive for the regime, was there any assistance from them for the animal? Such as Food or veterinary costs? What would happen if one of these animals died?

JihyunParkNK: We didn't receive any assistance, the regime said the army was working hard fighting SK and the US so we must support them with food. We would be punished if we did not provide them with a donation, it would be interpreted as a sign of disloyalty.

FOTBWN: Hi Jihyun Park, You answered in one question about keeping pigs for the army because the regime said that the army was working hard fighting SK and the US. Does that mean that it was understood by average citizens that NK was actively engaged in warfare with the two countries?

JihyunParkNK: Thank you for your question. North Koreans are taught that July 27th is the day that North Korea declared victory over South Korea, so the war has ended, not on a ceasefire.

We are taught South Korea is a colony of USA, and we must be prepared for reunification with the South, which is why we donate animals to help feed the army.

justalurkingredditor: Thank you so much for providing your time.

Are most North Koreans aware of countries besides propaganda targets of the US, Japan, and South Korea?

What do they think of Canada, Latin America, Britain, France, Africa, etc, for example?

JihyunParkNK: When I was a teacher back in North Korea, we learned about England (Britain). However, we learned about the Industrial Revolution and that England was the land of Lords and Ladies. When I first arrived in the United Kingdom, I was shocked to see it was nothing like the Victorian England of my classroom!

HipsterMonk: what is the most delicious food from your hometown?

JihyunParkNK: The seafood in my hometown of Chongjin, haddock in particular!

itsame132: Do you like skateboards?

JihyunParkNK: I have to admit I've never been on a skateboard, but I can ice skate! I learnt when I was young - in North Korea children learn during PE (Physical Education) class every winter.

jjharryk: I read an article about the prevalence of low grade marijuana plants that grow alongside the road in the North Korean countryside. How accessible is this marijuana and have you smoked any of it?

JihyunParkNK: This is not something I've had any experience of.

pandabeartke: Could you tell us what the labor camps were like in North Korea?

JihyunParkNK: I will try to describe it to you, but honestly the conditions were unspeakable.

We began work at 4.30am and went to sleep at 12 midnight. Meals times are less than half an hour. We worked everyday moving heavy loads up and down the mountain. Shoes were not provided and the uneven countryside ground was littered with stones and sharp glass. If you injured yourself, you have to continue work with bleeding feet. We slept in one room in the village, all the doors were locked. Even in the summer the doors are locked and the room is packed. It's impossible to sleep. Inside the rooms are two buckets - that's the toilet. It wasn't fit for humans.

RectumRectifier: Can you further elaborate on the Conditions of the the labor camp you were forced to live in in North Korea?? Lack of food and water, forced labour I'm guessing?

JihyunParkNK: Oh, RectumRectifier, that is such an important question and one that has a very long answer! I would suggest that you read my entry to EAHRNK's "North Korean Memoirs" or watch 'The Other Interview', a film I recently did with Amnesty International, where I speak in greater detail about my time in the labour camps.

killer4u77: Would you happen to have any stories of the awful conditions of life over there/in the labor camps? Also, how did you manage your escapes?

JihyunParkNK: Hello, killer4u77 - the answer to your questions are very easy! We have a project called North Korean Memoirs, which publishes the stories of North Korean defectors that we work with. Some of these stories speak of the authors' experiences in labour camps. If you would like to find out more about my escapes, you can read my "Memoir" here.

jjharryk: What is your opinion of the Camp 14 Book? Do you think it was wrong for Shin Dong Hyuk to lie about some his experiences?

JihyunParkNK: I've met Shin Dong Hyuk many times and I have read his book on Camp 14. My organisation released a statement regarding his revelations. You can read it here.

move2france: Do you think things will ever change for the people in North Korea? Here in Britain we moan about everything but really we don't know how lucky we are. Life must be really scary in NK.

JihyunParkNK: Yes, there will definitely be change in North Korea. Numbers of defectors are increasing, I believe this means a change is coming.

Please remember that we are the same people living under the same sky, North Koreans live in a dark tunnel with no light at the end. I hope my people will enjoy the same sunshine and happy lives that those in free countries experience.

rastel: What is the one message you would like to broadcast to the people in North Korea?

JihyunParkNK: This is an important question, thank you. I would tell them that freedom comes with enormous risk and pain, progress takes time and there is no guarantee of success however it is more likely of success if we exploit the weakness of the dictatorship. The most important thing is if all North Korean people stand up together!

Escape from North Korea

Yank1e: How did you escape both times?

JihyunParkNK: Both times I escaped with the help of brokers.

pandabeartke: After you escaped North Korea, did you have a difficult time trusting foreigners? Were you surprised that westerners were different from what the regime told you?

JihyunParkNK: When I left NK for the first time, I didn't trust Chinese people when they said the government was bad. I stayed there for 6 years but I still believed in the regime, but when I was repatriated I saw it through new eyes.

Westerners are totally different from what North Korea taught me. We learn that America is a hated country, but I've met Americans in the UK. They're so kind! I've met many foreigners whilst doing human rights work in Europe, they're all lovely.

Duffman: “When I left NK for the first time, I didn't trust Chinese people when they said the government was bad” - If you didn't believe the NK government was bad, why did you escape in the first place?

JihyunParkNK: My brother was having problems after defecting from the military. I was told by a broker that if I wanted to help my brother, I would need to earn money, and that I could do this very easily in China.

However, rather than going over to China and being able to work freely, I instead experienced human trafficking and I was sold into marriage for 5,000 yuan.

hdpq: Do you have any contact with your family in North Korea?

JihyunParkNK: No, I still don't know if my family are alive in North Korea. But 3 years ago we contacted my husband's family [in North Korea] and we sent them £1,000 (including brokers fees) in return for 1 minute of contact. We didn't know if it was received. However earlier this year we heard my husband's brother was sent to a labour camp as a consequence.

Life in United Kingdom

airthrey: How have you found settling into life in the UK? What have you found to be the most difficult?

JihyunParkNK: The first two years of my life in the UK were incredibly difficult. I arrived in the UK 2008, I couldn't speak the language and I had no idea of what my human rights were. This was a result of living as a slave in China. But after two years I finally began to settle into UK life and found real happiness! These days I can walk in the street and make eye contact with strangers, talk to policeman for directions - all these things I was terrified to do in China and North Korea.

samaiwa: How is life for you in the UK?

What do you enjoy about living in Britain and what do you not enjoy?

What do you think of British food?

What does the average North Korean citizen think of the UK?

What do you miss most from back home? (excluding friends and family)

JihyunParkNK:

1) It was not until I reached the UK that I first experienced happiness. Sitting around the dinner table with my husband and my children, sitting and talking about our day. That was the first time I knew what it was to be happy.

2) I am not very keen on British food. Luckily, there is a good Korean supermarket in Manchester where I can buy my own ingredients. I much prefer cooking my own food at home compared to going out to restaurants.

3) Speaking of my own experience - the UK taught me what human rights were, and that mine had been abused. However, it also gave me a safe haven, where I have the freedom to speak out about the realities of life in North Korea. For that, I will always be grateful.

4) Family is what I miss the most about North Korea. However, as I said in a previous answer, I did have a fondness for the seafood in my hometown of Chongjin.

samaiwa: Thank you for the response! It makes me really glad to know that my country has taught you about happiness and personal liberty, I hope you and your family continue to have a prosperous life on our little island :) I know you have a lot more important questions to answer in this thread but if you have the time, could you provide some recommendations on what you, as a Korean person, think could be done to improve British food? Also, if you are ever looking for a holiday within the UK, please visit Wales!

JihyunParkNK: I do like Fish & Chips, so British food is not all bad! In North Korea, we did not have a lot of use for dairy products (butter, milk, cheese, etc.). British food uses a lot of these, and their tastes and textures are unfamiliar to me.

Maybe if I do come to Wales, I could try Welsh rarebit?

samaiwa: Ah good, I'm glad you like some of our food! You should definitely have a traditional Sunday roast dinner if you haven't already tried it, season it with some salt and pepper if you find it a bit bland. It's interesting to see that dairy produce isn't popular in North Korea, although it makes sense since there's much less arable land available for raising cows and cheese appears mostly to be a very European thing. Yes you could try some Welsh rarebit, you could also try Welsh cakes, Bara Brith and Cawl too! Also, if you or your husband enjoy beers, ciders and/or spirits you could also try SA Brains beers, Black Dragon ciders and some Penderyn whisky. If you do go to Wales, I would suggest visiting Cardiff which is our capital city and then visiting West and/or North Wales for the beautiful scenery.

L938: Hi, Jihyun! Are there any significant differences in everyday living in North Korea compared to the UK? Things such as housing, recreation, cooking, etc.

JihyunParkNK: Hello! There are many differences between everyday life in North Korea and the UK. In North Korea I didn't have opportunities to enjoy life with my family, we were too busy surviving. These days I find real happiness talking and laughing with my husband and children around the dinner table. Also we're able to cook any food we want, rather than what we find.

jjharryk: How is the Korean community in the UK? Regardless of where they are, are Koreans generally the same people as in the UK and North Korea?

JihyunParkNK: There is no difference between Koreans in the North and in the South, they both want to find happiness and lead successful lives. The North and South Korean community in London live comfortably side by side, but I must admit that they can become stuck within the community and have trouble communicating with other UK citizens. I was quoted in this Independent article on the NK community in London, please read if you want to find out more.

meekeebee: Recently there has been news that NK refugees are being repatriated to South Korea from UK, do you know if the number of new NK refugees to UK has suddenly stopped, or is this misinformation in the news?

JihyunParkNK: According to UNHCR statistics, in 2014 23 rulings on North Korean asylum applications were made in the UK. 17 of them were rejected. We wrote a policy paper on the problems faced by North Koreans coming to Europe, which you can read here.

Politics

fethinsob: As a fellow Korean, Thank You for doing this. I am glad you made it out but am so frustrated and saddened by what is going on in our country. I say "our" because Korea is our country and this division is an abomination when we are the same people,culture, and family. In your experience, have you seen any signs of the NK government weakening its grip on the people? All these sanctions must have some affect on the power of the government. God bless

JihyunParkNK: Thank you for your support! I agree, it is "our" country and I believe that it's important that the Korean people split by the division must be reunited. Since I left North Korea for the final time in 1995, numbers of defectors have increased dramatically. People are becoming aware that conditions are better on the outside and seek a better life for themselves. They no longer look to the regime, their grip is certainly weakening.

pandabeartke: Do you think North Korean refugees are seen negatively in South Korea? What can be done to improve their reputation?

JihyunParkNK: Thanks for your question! I've never lived in South Korea, but when I meet South Korean people in the UK - they jokingly ask me "are you still hungry?". These kinds of comments can be hurtful. I know that there are around 27,000 defectors in South Korea and I've heard that they face discrimination. They want to find jobs but never get past the interview stage, the employers find out they're from the North and reject them. We can change their reputation by improving communication between the two groups.

orangeo: Thanks for this AMA.

1. The majority of North Korean defectors seem to side with the right wing politicians in South Korea and argue against the notion of gradually building a relationship with the regime to eventually get North Korea to open its own doors (and perhaps improve the human rights conditions in North Korea). What’s your take on this?

2. What are some of the things many North Korean defectors/refugees around the world need right now?

3. How hopeful are you about reunification?

4. When you were living with the Chinese farmer, how connected were you to the “outside world?” Specifically, did you have access to the internet, phone, etc.? Did you have any way of getting out?

JihyunParkNK:

1. I don't think the majority of NK refugees in SK hold this view, but I myself do not believe that gradually building a relationship with the regime will encourage the regime to improve human rights. I would like to link you to my organisation's paper on Separative Engagement, it provides a better explanation of this.

2. Ideally they need reunification because they should be reunited with their families in the North. Until that time they need support to become advocates for North Korean human rights and the tools to speak out.

3. The Korean peninsula wants reunification, but I'm not sure when this will happen and the differences between the countries is too great. Firstly we must make the human rights issue a priority.

4. I was not connected to the outside world at all. I worked from early in the morning to late at night. There was a TV in the house but I wasn't allowed to watch it.

Wing_attack_Plan_R: the South Korean police just stopped activists from from launching balloons with anti-North Korea leaflets attached. do you side with the activists and their activities or the South Korean authorities in blocking these launches?

JihyunParkNK :Thanks for the question! The international community and NGOs are trying to get information into NK any way they can - balloons, USBs, etc. In my opinion, I don't think the SK police should stop these activities.

Work at EAHRNK

Kaael: What is the best way for someone in the UK to get involved in North Korean human rights in the present? There are very few NGOs that cover this topic, and those that do are hugely underfunded and can't afford to employ permanent staff (speaking from experience - I have worked for a Korean NGO before as a volunteer but obviously this is unsustainable in the long run)

JihyunParkNK: It's good to see your enthusiasm to help North Korean human rights, thank you. The role of NGOs and other organisations is important, but what is also important is the attention the issue receives by European states, the interest of European citizens, and increased communications between locals and NK refugees. The projects I want to launch in October will be a step towards tackling this. Although opportunities for full time employment is limited, I encourage you to support organisation is any capacity you can.

meekeebee: Annyeonghaseyo Jihyun.

Thank you for sharing your family's amazing story i wonder how many are still trapped in China.

There are many walls to cross, and language is one wall we can help NK refugees cross.

Is the empowerment course only language skills?

Every refugee has a story to tell, i know many fear reprisals will be taken on their family left behind in DPRK.

Are those fears real, and can they safely tell their stories?

What advice do we give them?

I have already donated to your good cause.

JihyunParkNK: Hello! The projects are language classes, skills workshops to help NK refugees find employment, women's rights workshops, and the “Phoenix” internship project for young North Korean refugees. You can find out more here.

Defector's family may face problems back in North Korea, but if we don't speak out about human rights then they will still suffer. The regime uses defectors to scare others, but they win if we keep silent. I run a project called North Korean Memoirs which helps defectors share their stories, this is another way of raising awareness and fighting the regime.

jsy44: Thanks Jihyun (and Felicity). The projects look interesting, however shouldn't the government be doing more to help the NK community in the UK?

JihyunParkNK: Thank you for your question! The government provides support for all refugees from all countries in the UK, from housing benefits to English classes. However North Korean refugees find it difficult to keep up with these classes, they do not have even a basic understanding of English or of cultural references made. For example, I had never heard the English language when I first came to the UK. In October I want to launch tailored classes for NK refugees, which the government does not currently provide.

GuineaPigFarmer: What would you say are the best organizations and charities to get involved with that deal directly with Nk refugees and those stuck in difficult situations in China?

JihyunParkNK: In October, EAHRNK will be launching a series of refugee support projects, initially starting in the New Malden area of the UK, but hopefully in other countries across Europe. You can support our refugee programmes by donating here.

We also have a partner organisation based in Canada called "Hanvoice", who do a lot of work supporting and mentoring the North Korean refugee community in Toronto. You can find out more about them at their website.

GuineaPigFarmer:

Have you corresponded with jang jin-Sung at all?

JihyunParkNK: Yes I have. He has worked with me and EAHRNK very closely in the past. For example, Mr. Jang helped us to write our paper on Separative Engagement.

Thank you all your questions, I enjoyed answering them all! Please support and donate towards my fundraising campaign to help North Korean refugees in Europe, I hope to reach 10k by 18th August! I want to you leave you with this proverb: "Constant dropping wears away the stone." Together we can help the North Korean people reach freedom and happiness.