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NK HIdden Gulag Blog

Young Professionals Writing Program (YPWP)

Dreams of My Hometown

7/27/2015

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By Sung-chul Kim
Edited by Rosa Park, Bomi Im and Megan Lee

Reprinted from hrnkinsider.org on June 20, 2013

In North Korea
Musan district in North Hamgyong province of North Korea, the coldest part of the Korean peninsula, is my birthplace. It was also my home for seventeen years and now, where all my childhood memories continue to reside. Notwithstanding its chilly temperature, I want to visit my hometown and native land at least once before I die. Every spring, apricot blossoms and azalea flowers still managed to bloom on the hill in front of my house. As a student, I would idyllically smoke with friends. Of course, if we were caught, our teacher forced us to chew those same cigarettes while still lit. On holidays, I could hear the sounds of rice-cake making—the wooden mallet pounding the rice paste—seemingly coming from around every house, and the smoke from chimneys wafted through the village. I would also go door to door, bowing to the village elders—it is customary in Korea to receive money from elders by presenting them with formal bows, especially on given holidays. Naturally, my mother was also diligent in taking all the money I received.

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Living and Studying in America

7/27/2015

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By Sung-chul Kim, Former HRNK Intern
Translated and edited by Rosa Park

Reprinted from hrnkinsider.org on Feb. 6, 2014

I was born in socialist North Korea. I lived my life struggling to be free from hunger and had little to dream about. After that, I spent more than five years in China in fear because of my precarious status. Despite several arrests and forced repatriations to North Korea, I survived and eventually arrived in South Korea. Not until then could I have a dream and start studying. Now, I have finally experienced America, a country I had dreamed of visiting. In the United States, I finished a four-month long English class, and then completed an internship at the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK). ​

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Reflections on My Life in America

7/27/2015

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By Hana Kim, Former HRNK Intern
Translated and edited by Rosa Park and Amanda Mortwedt

Reprinted from hrnkinsider.org on Feb. 6, 2014

I was born and finished high school in North Korea. I then spent eight years in China and five years in South Korea. I have been in the United States for eight months, but time seems to have gone by too fast. It is almost time to return to South Korea. What have I gained from my experience in America? The thought that I may not have gained anything significant worries me. I feel ashamed at the thought that I fall short of the expectations of those who supported me. However, I certainly feel like I have experienced and learned many things. ​

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Crossing Thresholds

7/24/2015

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By Hana Kim, Former HRNK Intern
Edited by Rosa Park, Daniel Aum, and Bomi Im

Reposted from hrnkinsider.org, June 21, 2013

I believe that anyone who comes from North Korea must be keenly aware of the plight of those who have suffered the same human rights violations that I have—and worse. I chose to work for human rights in North Korea so that I can offer insight into areas of improvement, and available alternatives that are most desired by victims. I now write a brief story about my life in North Korea, hoping it will provide some information useful in attempts to improve the situation in North Korea and spread knowledge about the inner-workings of life in that country.

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    Dedication

    ​HRNK staff members and interns wish to dedicate this program to our colleagues Katty Chi and Miran Song.

    A native of Chile and graduate of the London School of Economics, Katty became a North Korean human rights defender in her early 20s. Katty was chief of international affairs with the North Korea Strategy Center (NKSC) in Seoul from 2010 to 2014 and worked with the Seoul Office of Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) from 2019 to 2020. A remarkable member of our small North Korean human rights community, Katty brought inspiration and good humor to all. Katty passed away in Seoul in May 2020, at the young age of 32. She is survived by her parents and brother living in Chile.

    A graduate of Kyung Hee University and The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Miran was a research intern at HRNK from 2012 to 2013. After graduating from Fletcher, Miran fulfilled her long-cherished dream to work in the field with international NGOs and South Korean government agencies, dedicating herself to sustainable development projects in Uganda and Ethiopia. A staunch human rights defender and passionate humanitarian, she lived her short, difficult, and meaningful life feeling blessed by the opportunity to help others. She passed away in 2022, at the young age of 31.

    With the YPWP series, we endeavor to honor Katty and Miran’s life and work.

    Greg Scarlatoiu

    If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

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    김일성 초상휘장
    생활총화
    청년동맹위원장과 청소년지도원
    2010 World Cup Team
    AllSource Analysis
    Arduous March
    Bitcoin
    Bithumb
    Blockchain
    China
    Coincheck
    Concentration-camps
    Crimes-against-humanity
    Cryptocurrency
    Crypto Industry
    Cyberattack
    Cybercrime
    Cyber Crime
    David Hawk
    Donald Trump
    DPRK
    DPRK Sanctions
    DPRK Sports
    FATF
    Federal Reserve Bank
    FEMA Conspiracy Theory
    FIFA
    FinCen
    Forced Abortion
    Forced Marriage
    Gender Discrimination
    Gender Repression
    Global Programme On Cybercrime
    Google Earth
    Greg Scarlatoiu
    Gulags
    Hidden Gulag
    HRNK
    Human Rights
    Human Trafficking
    Illicit
    Infanticide
    Informal Markets
    International Community
    Jangmadang
    Jangmadang Generation
    Kim Il-sung
    Kim Il-sung Badge
    Kim Il-sung Cho-sang-hui-jang
    Kim Jong-suk
    Kim Jong Un
    Kim Jong-un
    Kim Regime
    Kwan Li So
    Kwan-li-so
    Kyo Hwa So
    Kyo-hwa-so
    Laogai
    May Day Stadium
    Monero
    NK Athletes
    North Korea
    North Korean Athletes
    North Korean Economy
    North Korean Hackers
    North Korean Markets
    Olympic Games
    Payment Services Act
    Political Prisoners
    Prison Camps
    Prisoner Testimony
    PyeongChang Olympics
    Red Youth Guard
    Refugees
    Saeng-hwal-chong-hwa
    Satellite Imagery
    School
    Self-criticism
    Sexual Exploitation
    Sexual Violence
    Singapore Summit
    Summit
    Technology
    The Game Of Their Lives
    Torture
    Treasury
    Trump Kim Summit
    UN Commission Of Inquiry
    United Nations
    UN Sanctions
    U.S. Treasury Department
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    Youth Alliance Chairman And Youth Instructors

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