Tae-il Shim is a pseudonym for a North Korean defector writer. He left the DPRK in 2018, and now resides in South Korea.
"You are looked down on and subject to harsh treatment if you were born with a physical disability"
"How much money a patient has determines whether they live or die"
"It keeps me up at night when I think about those hungry children struggling in the cold"
"No North Korean is looking forward to the New Year’s speech"
"The majority of those that decide to leave do so because they're disenchanted by the current political situation"
"When it comes to war-related threats, the DPRK is equipped with an anti-U.S.-terrorism strategy"
"People from outside of Pyongyang, at least those in my hometown, are often more up-to-date on outside news"
"Many are driving themselves into ruin for a momentary escape from their depressing reality"
"The families and relatives of defectors, who were once despised, are now admired"
"The songbun system exists in name only for many"
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