About the author
More articles by 'David'
Ask a North Korean: How do public utilities work in the DPRK?
An escapee writes about gathering wood to heat homes, fetching water from wells and how the state collects utility fees
Ask a North Korean: What is English-language education like in the DPRK?
An escapee writes about the materials he used to learn and how his English skills were put to the test in South Korea
Behind the photos: A North Korean escapee returns to his hometown from afar
A defector shares stories behind images of Hamhung and explains why a photo of a city street brought him to tears
Ask a North Korean: What is forced labor like in North Korea?
A defector writes about being forced to work even as an elementary school student and the trauma it left him with
Behind the photos: A defector tells the stories of images taken in North Korea
In a new series, a DPRK escapee shares what he sees in scenes of statues, cities and more in remote North Hamgyong
Ask a North Korean: What was it like playing soccer professionally in the DPRK?
A defector writes about his training schedule and the hurdles he faced trying to represent his country
Ask a North Korean: Can children in the DPRK express their creativity?
David, who defected in 2012, writes about discovering the joys of self-expression through his work as a YouTuber
Settling in Seoul: What do you think about critics of North Korean defectors?
A DPRK escapee talks about encountering people who question his testimony and how he learned to embrace his past
Ask a North Korean: What do socialism and capitalism mean to you?
A defector shares what DPRK taught him about equality and how living in South Korea has shaped his views on capitalism
Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think about war?
The DPRK extols its ‘victory’ in Korean War, but ordinary soldiers must confront harsh reality of potential conflict
