Book review: 'Outsiders: Memories of Migration to and from North Korea'



Features Book review: ‘Outsiders: Memories of Migration to and from North Korea’ Markus Bell writes a sobering reflection on the tens of thousands of Koreans that voluntarily left Japan for North Korea Oliver Jia November 24, 2021 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON NK News (file) \| Target with Japanese soldiers at Taesongsan Funfair, Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 7, 2008 Many are familiar with stories of North Koreans who risk their lives to escape their home country, but lesser known are the tens of thousands of people that immigrated to the DPRK from Japan, lured by promises of community and equality. Facing discrimination and low social status in post-war Japanese society, some 93,000 ethnic Koreans voluntarily left for North Korea between 1959 to 1984. Upon arrival, most were shocked to see just how much North Korea’s communist poverty contrasted with the first world liberal democracy they had just left. Many are familiar with stories of North Koreans who risk their lives to escape their home country, but lesser known are the tens of thousands of people that immigrated to the DPRK from Japan, lured by promises of community and equality. Facing discrimination and low social status in post-war Japanese society, some 93,000 ethnic Koreans voluntarily left for North Korea between 1959 to 1984. Upon arrival, most were shocked to see just how much North Korea’s communist poverty contrasted with the first world liberal democracy they had just left. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Features

Book review: ‘Outsiders: Memories of Migration to and from North Korea’

Markus Bell writes a sobering reflection on the tens of thousands of Koreans that voluntarily left Japan for North Korea

Oliver Jia November 24, 2021

Book review: ‘Outsiders: Memories of Migration to and from North Korea’

NK News (file) | Target with Japanese soldiers at Taesongsan Funfair, Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 7, 2008

Many are familiar with stories of North Koreans who risk their lives to escape their home country, but lesser known are the tens of thousands of people that immigrated to the DPRK from Japan, lured by promises of community and equality.

Facing discrimination and low social status in post-war Japanese society, some 93,000 ethnic Koreans voluntarily left for North Korea between 1959 to 1984. Upon arrival, most were shocked to see just how much North Korea’s communist poverty contrasted with the first world liberal democracy they had just left.