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On October 2nd, we had the honor of hosting Sokeel Park, the South Korea Country Director of Liberty in North Korea (LiNK). His talk explored the stark differences between life in North and South Korea, the courage of North Korean defectors, and the vital role of storytelling in changing the narrative around North Korea.

Sokeel began by highlighting the extreme isolation that North Koreans face. From limited access to even basic information about the outside world to the absence of the internet or the right to travel, most North Koreans live in a tightly controlled bubble. Only a privileged elite has permission to travel abroad.

He emphasized that this physical and digital isolation isn't just a byproduct of politics but an intentional tactic by the regime to maintain control over its population. The citizens are kept in the dark—figuratively and literally—from the outside world, and this isolation makes it incredibly difficult for outsiders to understand the everyday reality in North Korea.

But escape is just the beginning. Many defectors face continued challenges as they try to adjust to life in South Korea or elsewhere. Some choose to stay connected with their families back in North Korea, sending money and information through underground networks. Sokeel mentioned that these actions—though small—can spark **pockets of change** within North Korean society.

Once settled in South Korea, defectors often send money back to their families, helping create small networks of change inside North Korea itself. Some defectors even act as microlenders, using the money they send to help their relatives start small businesses and improve their lives under the oppressive regime.

One of the key takeaways from Sokeel’s talk was the importance of storytelling. North Korean defectors are finding their voices, telling their stories on platforms like YouTube, in documentaries, and at international forums like the UN Security Council. Sokeel emphasized that these personal stories are vital for changing perceptions of North Korea and rallying international support for human rights advocacy.

Following Sokeel’s presentation, Yonsei PSCORE members broke into groups to reflect on the talk. The discussions were filled with ideas on how we can contribute to raising awareness and advocating for North Korean human rights. One of the key points that came up was the importance of focusing on the defector's mental health.

Ideas flowed about hosting workshops, expanding our educational outreach, and launching advocacy campaigns that highlight both the human rights issues and the emotional toll on defectors. Whether through storytelling, community outreach, or direct advocacy, we believe that every effort counts in the fight for North Korean human rights.

Written by Celeste Jingya Yuan for Yonsei PSCORE