5 TED Talks About North Korea You DEFINITELY Don’t Want To Miss
Five stories that illustrate the strength and humanity of the North Korean people
From a Street Kid in North Korea to a College Student in New York
North Korean defector Joseph Kim shares his story of growing up in North Korea during the famine. In this TED Talk he shares how an “act of love and caring” can change someone’s life.
It Was The “Best Country on the Planet” — Until She Realized People Were Dying
Hyeonseo Lee recounts her harrowing experience getting herself and her family out of North Korea and shares how getting to freedom was only half the battle.
Teaching North Korea’s Elite
Suki Kim went undercover as a teacher in North Korea to learn more about the closed-off country. The more time she spent with her students, the more she learned about the brutality of the regime but also the potential of the people.
Bonding in Captivity
Documentary journalist Euna Lee shares how being held captive in North Korea showed her the humanity of the North Korean people.
Change in North Korea is Not Just Possible — It’s Inevitable
LiNK’s Director of Research and Strategy Sokeel Park explains how the outside information pouring into North Korea is empowering the people and creating change within the country.
Finding Dreams: Donna's Story
Donna felt like her life was wasting away in North Korea. After her uncle was publicly executed for selling electric wires to feed his family, she couldn’t advance in society and was constantly subjected to government inspections.
In pursuit of a free life, she escaped North Korea with her daughter and resettled in the United States.
“It still feels unreal to be treated like a human being in America, and I want to thank everyone who helped me live such a happy life in this great country.”
She’s gone on to start her own business running a sushi kiosk in a university cafeteria. She's done so well at running her business that she’ll soon relocate her kiosk to a more profitable area and begin hiring employees to work for her.
Donna’s daughter, Isabel, is doing wonderfully in school and can already speak fluent English. She enjoys drawing and making crafts. She’s also very fashionable and loves to pick out her own clothes.
In the next five years, she wants to buy a house and hopes to eventually help North Korean defectors.
“Thanks to LiNK, I was saved. And my life, which had once been withering away with no hopes or dreams, now has new buds sprouting with new dreams and a future, and I’m so thankful for that.”
Read about Donna in Marie Claire.
Learn more about Donna's escape from North Korea and help more North Korean refugees reach freedom today.
