From defector to defender: One lawyer's fight for North Korean human rights



Interviews From defector to defender: One lawyer’s fight for North Korean human rights In interview, Lee Young-hyeon shares how he became the first DPRK escapee to pass the bar exam in the South Jooheon Kim April 17, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON The lawyer Lee Young-hyeon \| Image: Lee Young-hyeon Lee Young-hyeon's journey to becoming a lawyer in South Korea was far from typical. At just 14 years old, he risked everything to escape North Korea, subsequently working in China instead of going to school. He didn’t even begin learning English until he resettled in the South years later. Lee Young-hyeon's journey to becoming a lawyer in South Korea was far from typical. At just 14 years old, he risked everything to escape North Korea, subsequently working in China instead of going to school. He didn’t even begin learning English until he resettled in the South years later. 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. © 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

Interviews

From defector to defender: One lawyer’s fight for North Korean human rights

In interview, Lee Young-hyeon shares how he became the first DPRK escapee to pass the bar exam in the South

Jooheon Kim April 17, 2025

From defector to defender: One lawyer’s fight for North Korean human rights

The lawyer Lee Young-hyeon | Image: Lee Young-hyeon

Lee Young-hyeon's journey to becoming a lawyer in South Korea was far from typical.

At just 14 years old, he risked everything to escape North Korea, subsequently working in China instead of going to school. He didn’t even begin learning English until he resettled in the South years later.

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From defector to defender: One lawyer’s fight for North Korean human rights

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