Yeon-Mi Park, a North Korean defector.

Dec 1, 2014 2:39 PM

mountaindonut

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673349

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13550

Dislikes

112

I hope she has a long, happy, and free life, I really do. She's one of the few North Koreans who will for the foreseeable future, after all.

11 years ago | Likes 163 Dislikes 1

She is stunning. Brave and stunning.

11 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 1

I had a kid in my elementary school class from NK. He told me he couldn't go back home and at the time I didn't understand... now I do.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I would willingly AND FOR FREE be her personal, armed, bodyguard - and God help any motherfucker that even THOUGHT of harming her.

11 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 4

was thinking the same thing

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I wish her a healthy life

11 years ago | Likes 339 Dislikes 1

healthy LONG* life

11 years ago | Likes 41 Dislikes 0

11 years ago | Likes 134 Dislikes 1

Re2pect?

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 5

Hates her country. Loves her countryman. A sentiment many can relate worldwide.

11 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 1

It's ok people, North Korean Secret Police don't read user sub

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Good call. This video is the second thing that has made me cry at my desk until people started asking me if I was okay.

11 years ago | Likes 99 Dislikes 0

She looks like a Korean Kiera Knightley. And she is awesome.

11 years ago | Likes 63 Dislikes 6

Thank you! It was driving me nuts trying to figure out who she reminded me of. Nailed It

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Reminds me of: http://kpsurgery.tumblr.com/

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I always upvote perseverance.

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Damn she is absolutely beautiful.

11 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 3

Proof that beauty can still come out of the ugliest of places.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Its pretty dreadful that in the West the only stories we get from NK are that of just ridiculous things that Kim Jong Il & Un got up to.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

We rarely hear of NKs horrific human rights record, and the concentration camps they have.I feel that the west should seriously do something

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

We should all do something. It would make an infinitely bigger impact if all of Western Europe joined in as well. They're the U.S of WW2 now

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Bbbut North Korea is buddies with China, but if NK loses all their allies then that would be the best time to pounce.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

No offense but she looks like she had a plastic surgery

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I'd say she was safe as she'd be a very hot ticket if she 'disappeared'. Or that's what I'm hoping anyhow

11 years ago | Likes 86 Dislikes 5

Normal logic of "internationally acceptable behaviour" isn't the best predictor of what N. Korea gets up to.

11 years ago | Likes 39 Dislikes 0

Yeah, she'd sell for a good amount to one of the higher ups in N. Korea as a sex s-...oh. That's not what you meant by hot ticket. Oops.

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 4

Unfortunately, it's not out of the question that everyone within reach to whom she is remotely related gets executed. ☹

11 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Uh. Nope. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_House_Raid

11 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Holy fuck, that American guy's name. Charles H. Bonesteel III.

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

There needs to be more awareness of the horrible circumstance in North Korea. This woman's amazing story needs to be shared more.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

That lady's balls are roughly twice the size of my head. Mad props

11 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

I always upvote Korean! (it has been a while actually, but Im back on the wagon)

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

http://imgur.com/YHNs8LZ

11 years ago | Likes 606 Dislikes 9

Every time I see this gif I so much want to watch John Woo's HK-period movies, starting with Bullet in the Head and Hard Boiled :o

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I haven't seen this gif in ages, good on you!

11 years ago | Likes 38 Dislikes 1

I haven't seen this gif in ages, good on you!

11 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 1

I haven't seen this gif in ages, good on you!

11 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

I have seen this gif 4 times in ages.

11 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

That's cool, here's a fifth time:

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I hate to say it but she's naive if she thinks 'death' is what she has to fear upon recapture.

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Then again, she's from North Korea. I suppose she's the opposite of naive.

11 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

I appreciate both your original point and your acknowledgement that this woman has seen some shit. +2

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

can we use our combined internet super powers to help keep her safe?

11 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 1

Won't continue living be doing something for for her people?

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

I wouldn't say so, atleast not in the same way. It's easier to get publicity if you do dangerous things, and if you get assassinated 1/2

11 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 3

you're sure to make the news like this, and people might start doing shit about north Korea and chhina might go 'ah fuck these guys' 2/2

11 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 3

Only if she becomes the Korean Harriet Tubman.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

She can live as a person or die as a symbol.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

*more for .. :D . Live and fight another day, examples, Aung san suu kyi and mandela

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I watched some of a documentary about NK last night, the "stunted generation" and the hate songs the children sing are just heartbreaking.

11 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

Here's one from Vice on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24R8JObNNQ4 The tours there are absolutely ridiculous.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

National Geographic: Inside North Korea. It's an old doc, Kim Jong Il was still alive. I can only imagine the place has gotten worse since.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

source?

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I can't remember, it focuses on a doctor going over to perform 1000 glaucoma ops in 10 days, it was on TV. I'll look it up there.

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I saw that documentary too, after all the surgery's were done, by memory, didnt they praise kim jong il for their eyesight return?

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Brave and beautiful woman, her character is worthy of applause. I hope people protect her and the awareness she's bringing.

11 years ago | Likes 95 Dislikes 2

that sentiment is beautiful and i totally agree. and the way you wrote it makes it sound like a fancy poem

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Though I agree, what bothers me is people would've been much less compassionable to ugly one in this situation.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Those are bad people. Pay no heed to them.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Some people are fickle like that unfortunately, not all, but enough. Good looks do not make anyone more or less deserving.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

She's so shiny. I want to slide down her cheeks

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Everyone who thinks she is beautiful, pick-up your swords, we ride at Dawn to fight Fat Kim Juong Ye and his minions!

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

wait, not like that. I meant like tobogganing.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

I would be willing to hide her in my basement for...protection...yeah, protection! That's the ticket!

11 years ago | Likes 51 Dislikes 39

Is that why you need your 10 foot pole that your minion is fetching?

11 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 2

My Minion is actually...Morgan Fairchild! Yeah, that's it, Morgan Fairchild! Whom I've slept with!

11 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

She was really cute and tiny when I met her. Her story made a lot of us tear up. She's working hard for what she believes in.

11 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 1

"Last time Yeon-mi and I were hanging out" *yawns*

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 5

You met her??

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Just briefly as there were tons of other people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDXkdjx7VAE

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Curious, where did you meet her? As part of one young world?

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Joo Yang started crying and so did a lot of the audience.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It was part of Liberty in North Korea's Summit. We also got to listen to and meet Joseph Kim, Danny Lee, Seongmin Lee, and Joo Yang.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Cool.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

How did you get the opportunity to be a part of that? Just curious!!

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I follow LINK on facebook. They announced their summit and I decided I wanted to go. Anyone could go but it did cost a bit (flying there)

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That is super handy information! I'll definitely check that out, thanks for sharing!

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Not even going to joke, good luck Yeon-Mi-Park, stay safe

11 years ago | Likes 391 Dislikes 5

So your default response is usually to make a joke? What are you compensating for, bigdickden?

11 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 11

I don't know... Ibearbadnews, why are you so pessimistic, why not have good news?

11 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

His poor sense of humor. Quantity over quality, eh?

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 5

His small car.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It's really sad reading about NK escapees, and how they have a really hard time adapting to living in SK or anywhere else.

11 years ago | Likes 2115 Dislikes 6

Having met several of them while living in Seoul, it's heartbreaking. You can't even fathom what they're telling you happened to them. Sad.

11 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 0

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11 years ago (deleted Jul 31, 2015 1:57 PM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

Yeah... the two are not even remotely comparable.

11 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

Media deception on justice always prevails. God bless the 3 letters ;)

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

How do they, you know, escape? I can't be easy.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It's not - there are lots of excellent memoirs on the subject though. I highly suggest reading them! :)

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Yeah it is :(. On a brighter note I think I would have trouble adapting to SK too. From what I've seen they be crazy.

11 years ago | Likes 27 Dislikes 5

This.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

... Not sure if this is a serious comment or not ...

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

It's not as crazy different to Western countries as you might think. It's very very Westernized in SK

11 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

NK really blows my mind. I just don't understand how people are that oppressed.

11 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

That oppression is normality for most of them. They are cut off from outside media. We are pretty lucky.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Its really sad that they have to escape in the first place.

11 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Isn't her family gonna be...you know

11 years ago | Likes 112 Dislikes 0

The whole family escaped. The father died due to illness, however.

11 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 1

DED. Or sent to slave camps and then DED.

11 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 3

Her father died before she escaped. She escaped NK with her mother and met up with her sister, who escaped several years before.

11 years ago | Likes 141 Dislikes 0

arent most of them already dead based on her speech? her mom died already, her sister/brother, he dad....whos left? =/

11 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

looks like she didn't tho

11 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 11

How the hell would you know that?

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

because she's a successful actor, journalist. If you see the doc, she's living a good life now and I'm happy for her, dunno why this was 1

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

downvoted 2

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

LOL I am from Saskatchewan (abbrev. SK) and was like...do a lot of them end up here? Then I realized South Korea was much more likely.

11 years ago | Likes 65 Dislikes 3

I thought the exact same thing!

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

As a Saskatoonian, this.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Ditto

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Lol same I'm in saskatoon I was like really?

11 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

you mean there is more of us in this frozen place called Saskatoon?!

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

How do they have trouble adapting?

11 years ago | Likes 262 Dislikes 16

You know how people who were born into terrifying cults are weird?

11 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

a study that said NK ppl have smaller brains too, bc of malnutrition. So they have hard time learning basic things for new life in SK.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

They have to go through quite a bit of therapy.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Imagine how embarrassing it must be when you explain to people that you thought the dear leader could read your thoughts

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

One NK defector said in an AMA that the "godly" powers of the president are similar to how the Bible is treated; some believe, some don't.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Have you heard of the shit that happens in NK?? It would be extremely difficult. NK and everywhere else are different worlds.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

understanding that the govt isn't out to get you and that you can express negative things about them w/o fear of death. These are just (2/3

11 years ago | Likes 77 Dislikes 2

They're also not treated the best in South Korea, its gotten better but they still experience some racism because not everyone is friendly.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Unfolding from the lies told from when they were young. i dunno

11 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 1

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11 years ago (deleted Dec 6, 2014 6:11 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

yeah, basically.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Ummm...

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

(3) East Asia some people don't treat labour workers nicely. This happened to foreign cheap workers too. They feel like 2nd class citizen.

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Cheap foreign workers aren't discriminated against because they do manual labour. They're discriminated against because they're poor/brown.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

And since it's ingrained it became poor and brown are synonymous with cheap manual labour.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

They are basically raised in a bubble to believe their dictator is God and the rest of the world is evil. One TV station owned by the govt.

11 years ago | Likes 51 Dislikes 2

Well, the TV station thing is not that unusual....

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

like, it's literally the only TV station. Is that not unusual?

11 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

The fact that they only have that option is unusual, but that they get their brain wash from the TV isn't

11 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 2

Imagine you came from 1950s Russia, poor, with barely any food, in constant fear, and then suddenly you're in 2014 NYC. It's overwheming.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

(2) them North Koreans are liability because they don't have adequate skills to work in well paying jobs. They tend to work as labour and in

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

(1) A lot, both technologically and socially. They can learn about technology but socially South Korea is a very competitive country. For

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

They have to realize that basically everything they've been told about the world was a lie. It's gotta be tough to swallow.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I have enough trouble adapting my life between 1st world countries; their lives will never be the same!

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Discrimination from South Koreans, is one of biggest problems.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It's very hard to get rid of the brainwash.

11 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 0

North Korean life is extremely different. One would say, "primitive" compared to the luxuries we have in our first-world countries.

11 years ago | Likes 20 Dislikes 0

I read about one refugee who had a breakdown when she saw a homeless man in SK eating better at a shelter than her family ever ate in NK.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Most of what they'll have trouble adapting to is their belief. NK children are raised to believe their leaders are gods, or godlike.

11 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Reality is perception!

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

That's basically the principle of Einstein's relativity, and the crux of solipsism. Not sure why you were down voted.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

They think totally differently. They've totally brainwashed into thinking they're something less than human.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If you're into informative reporting, VICE loves North Korea and defector stories, if you want I'll dig you out the specific episodes to DL.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

some of the ways life outside of NK can be shocking, confusing, and in some ways scarier than life in it. Adjustment takes time.

11 years ago | Likes 82 Dislikes 4

Alright, who the fuck messed up the order of this guys comments

11 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 1

They did it themselves. Nesting replies is the way to go.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I'm not actually sure what that means, but I mosdef had nothing to do with the disorderly conduct of this board! Scout's honor.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

South Koreans are actually extremely racist toward North Koreans

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

they have trouble adapting to market based economies.theoretically they are given everything they need in north korea as planned by the govt

11 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 3

A joke?

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

nope, that's actually how their system works. but now, they don't have the resources to sustain such a system.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

They *never* had the resources. And I am pretty sure 'free market' isn't the problem. Otherwise former-USSR and DDR residents would have (1)

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

the same problem. (2)

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Technologically, it's like jumping forward in time 40 years. Ex: SK actually has classes for NK refugees on stuff like how to operate ATMs

11 years ago | Likes 187 Dislikes 0

I think that most of us in the Balkans would also need such a lesson

11 years ago | Likes 46 Dislikes 2

Instructions unclear. Used crowbar.

11 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 0

WWKD (What Would Kim Do?)

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Instructions unclear, penis caught in check deposit slot.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Calm down Mr. Freeman.

11 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 0

I've heard stories of NK students in school get bullied by their peers for being NK. Makes no sense to me. Many of them are essentially 1/2

11 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 0

"in the closet" about their nationality. Some lie and say they're SK in order to avoid judgement and/or bullying. 2/2

11 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 0

Keep in mind that S Korea also had propaganda against North Korea and many Koreans grew up in school having practice drills for a NK attack

11 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

Still do. Younger kids don't have the emotional connection anymore. 'My brother lives there' is now 'my great uncle might be there'

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

it's like being extremely southern and going to school in a very liberal area. They don't like you just because you're from there

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

not because you actually act the way they think "your people" do.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

The North did some terrible things during the war. A lot of that prejudice still hangs around.

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Welcome to humans! They are half a chromosome away from a chimpanzee. Enjoy your stay.

11 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 2

Learning how to identify and interact with people w/o hiding your feelings from them, learning that there will always be food available (1/?

11 years ago | Likes 132 Dislikes 4

You've obviously never experienced being a poor male in any capitalism-based country.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 6

Ive been a poor female in America all my life?Doesn't mean you have to be any less genuine of a person.-1:implying you have it as bad as NK.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Did I said something about being a person? I was saying that if you've never been hungry and never had to hide your feelings doesn't mean 1/

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

/2 no one else was.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

"Learning how to identify and interact with people w/o hiding your feelings from them" I could probably use a lesson on this myself.

11 years ago | Likes 26 Dislikes 0

Is that how normal people interact?

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

(2/2) as long as you sacrafice a vergin to the almighty Barack Obama on a monthly basis

11 years ago | Likes 37 Dislikes 129

This is great

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 6

am i the only one who thought this was funny?

11 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 18

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11 years ago (deleted Dec 5, 2014 7:38 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

It wasn't nearly funny enough to deserve upvotes here. It lacked proper conext and punch.

11 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

it got downvoted because people can't make fun of obama like they do bush apparently

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 9

snackrifice

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

I'm glad you appreciate my odd sense of humour (do you think I can blame Obama for the downvotes as well?)

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

Almost. You need to sacrifice a chunk of your income for the rest of your life by indebting yourself to the banks hegemony.

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 5

In that case, Democrats eat repeblicans for breakfast. Democrats are lazy, war against the 1% *bicycles back to the Netherlands*

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 4

And I'm only half joking :-((((

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

Imagine ending up in North Korea and realizing that Kim Jong Un actually is god, NK is paradise and everything we know about it is just(1)

11 years ago | Likes 608 Dislikes 5

western propaganda to prevent people from entering the garden of eden and getting used to that. Just in reverse.(2/2)

11 years ago | Likes 593 Dislikes 1

This is stand up worthy

11 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

Wow, that is an excellent phrasing to explain it. Thank you

11 years ago | Likes 162 Dislikes 1

Well spoken!

11 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

Very well said. Thank you.

11 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

This. The people in NK are so brainwashed into believing their leader, they don't know how the outside world works.

11 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 0

it is so sad how brainwashed they are. practically worshiping Kim Jong Un. saw a documentary & and it was insane how they are so blind

11 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Are you a travel agent? I'd like to book a flight to North Korea now!

11 years ago | Likes 68 Dislikes 0

Dennis Rodman?

11 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Sure, just sign away your human rights here, here and initials here.

11 years ago | Likes 58 Dislikes 0