Lee Seo-hyun Talks About Going from Privileged Life in North Korea to a Defector
This is a really interesting read from a North Korean defector that had a very different upbringing from most defectors:
It has been said “Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.” My name is Lee Seo-hyun. I am a North Korean escapee who gave up the certain opportunity to thrive in hell, and instead fled my native country to face certain uncertainty.
Korea Times
My experience as a North Korean escapee might surprise you. I did not grow up in extreme poverty; I was not coerced into human trafficking; nor do I have horrific stories of being a political prisoner. My father was a senior-level government officer for the North Korean regime, and his loyal commitment to the nation and the leader allowed our family to live in the capital Pyongyang, a privilege as North Koreans.
Like most people in North Korea, I had no doubts about the regime because I was brainwashed. I truly believed what our leader said: “Our country is the envy of the world!” Yes, I was living in a bubble. Not of my choosing ― I wasn’t even aware of it ― but a bubble, nonetheless.
What about you? Have you ever even considered the possibility that you may be living in a bubble, regardless of your politics or religion, regardless of the color of your skin or your perceived status in life?
What if the ‘Bubble’ ― the truth I had accepted without question ― is in some way no different from yours ― although yours probably doesn’t include political oppression and torture?
I highly recommend reading the whole thing at the link.
This describes precisely why China will not fall as quickly as many YouTube videos claim.
And yes, she raises an excellent point about beliefs being separate from reality. We should all understand that our leaders (and their pet media folks) lie to us as often at the DPRK and CCP leaders lie to their “congregations.”
Remember that corporations are not your friends. They are either selling stuff to us or selling us to someone else.
A big missing piece is how she actually got out of NK. But also, isn’t there a huge target on her back now that she is so public?? In the Korea Times story it mentioned that she had a roommate in college in China who was dragged away, never to return, just for being affiliated with Kim Jong Un’s uncle. Also, I get the whole GoFundMe thing, but seriously, going to one of the most expensive schools in the most expensive cities??