A North Korean defector’s long journey from prison to the halls of academia



Features A North Korean defector’s long journey from prison to the halls of academia Kim Seong-ryeol tells NK News how he escaped the DPRK twice and became the first defector to work as an ROK professor Lina Park October 18, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Professor Kim Seong-ryeol, South Korea's first North Korean defector-turned-professor, at Busan University of Foreign Studies \| Image: Busan University of Foreign Studies The path to becoming a university professor is rarely easy for any student, but it was especially difficult for Kim Seong-ryeol, a North Korean defector who escaped not once but twice in pursuit of education and freedom. Kim started teaching international studies at Busan University of Foreign Studies earlier this month, in the process becoming the first North Korean escapee to serve as a South Korean professor, according to the university. The path to becoming a university professor is rarely easy for any student, but it was especially difficult for Kim Seong-ryeol, a North Korean defector who escaped not once but twice in pursuit of education and freedom. Kim started teaching international studies at Busan University of Foreign Studies earlier this month, in the process becoming the first North Korean escapee to serve as a South Korean professor, according to the university. 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

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A North Korean defector’s long journey from prison to the halls of academia

Kim Seong-ryeol tells NK News how he escaped the DPRK twice and became the first defector to work as an ROK professor

Lina Park October 18, 2023

A North Korean defector’s long journey from prison to the halls of academia

Professor Kim Seong-ryeol, South Korea's first North Korean defector-turned-professor, at Busan University of Foreign Studies | Image: Busan University of Foreign Studies

The path to becoming a university professor is rarely easy for any student, but it was especially difficult for Kim Seong-ryeol, a North Korean defector who escaped not once but twice in pursuit of education and freedom.

Kim started teaching international studies at Busan University of Foreign Studies earlier this month, in the process becoming the first North Korean escapee to serve as a South Korean professor, according to the university.

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A North Korean defector’s long journey from prison to the halls of academia

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