‘I feel proud’: Seoul celebrates North Korean escapees with first Defectors’ Day | NK News
NK News Logo
November 13, 2024
NK News is hiring
Features

‘I feel proud’: Seoul celebrates North Korean escapees with first Defectors’ Day

Escapees gather to sing, dance and showcase businesses at joyful event, as Yoon pledges support for defector community

On a sweltering hot day in Seoul, an all-female group of North Korean singers dressed in glittering dresses sang the famous DPRK tune “Glad to Meet You” to an audience of hundreds, in the characteristic vibrato of the music they grew up with.

“Comrades and brothers, it is nice to meet you like this. / I like hugging you and laughing, I like hugging you and crying,” the singers warbled, making synchronized dance steps. “Oh oh oh, it's nice to meet you!”

Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
  • 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.