Escape from camp 14 -- Shin Dong-hyuk's odyssey: Blaine Harden at TEDxRainier

Hear the astonishing story of Shin Dong-hyuk's escape from the notorious yet almost unknown Camp 14 in North Korea, where Shin was born and lived 23 years before a breathtaking and grueling escape.
Blaine Harden currently reports for PBS Frontline and is a contributor to the Economist. He has a long and distinguished career as a foreign correspondent for the Washington Post in Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa, and as a national correspondent for the New York Times. He has received numerous journalism awards and his most recent book, Escape From Camp 14, is an international best-seller.
This talk was given at TEDxRainier in Seattle on November 10, 2012.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@ST0ICSAGE]

I want someone to make a film out of this, it will be an oscar worthy for sure

[@williamhernandez5298]

They should make a movie about this book

[@diegodelamacorra8901]

... I mean, I heard that there is a movie

[@lornakim5008]

Amen!✨✨✨✨✨✨✨🗽💖🎁🎆

[@b.k.kashyap3623]

Watch handmaid's tale it's kind of similar

[@Steveinthailand]

Escape from Camp 14 and Shin's entire story has already been debunked by the NIS (South Korean Intelligence).

[@dibidibidibidis2161]

My right ear enjoyed this :D

[@LeahSunKyu]

dibidibidis I THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY EARPHONES. Also, Onew :3 ♡

[@fissioncrusier]

wow you too?!

[@ronilaurens1600]

dibidibidis My left ear enjoyed it

[@hausdrache4054]

Oh god I thought my headphones were broken but it's not just me yay.

[@butterfatinc8653]

woah, i only had my right speaker working anyway hahaha

[@miss.shrewd424]

Wow I feel so ignorant, I had no idea North Korea even had Concentration Camps, that's so sad that those people have to go through that

[@lanianegra5027]

I admire you Shin. I don't know how much it would take you to reach freedom in its psychological sense. You still manage to smile and be joyful despite the horrific and sad events in your life. I pray to God to grant you peace. You are adding value and impact to millions of people around the globe.

[@wazup3333]

realistically we can't believe the authenticity of shins side of the story

[@Steveinthailand]

Shin Dong-Hyuk is now under house-arrest and awaiting deportation back to North Korea for his assist-murder charges.

[@tuanas458]

Its lies. He's making it all up lol.

[@HeavenEarthCreation]

@@tuanas458 Then you need to prove if he lies!

[@tikatikatoc776]

Read the book! It's shocking and horrible but a real eye opener

[@rogerdodger8415]

ITHEREONETHATHASNT Great! We'll be looking forward to you moving there. With luck, they'll reserve a cup of rice for you.

[@LeahSunKyu]

ITHEREONETHATHASNT Go to North Korea by yourself ^^

[@joellaperduyn4366]

ITHEREONETHATHASNT mhmmm, has your school not educated you at all about the issue? My God.

[@Mimi-gj3sx]

What is the title of the book?

[@kleinertiger3746]

Mimi Le Escape from camp 14 I think :) It is really good!

[@sandraphallphillips]

Shins' book is heartwrenching! they burn and torture him, dislocate his arms, starve him, and many other sad things. I loved this book, and I love him too!!

[@Steveinthailand]

The NIS (South Korean Intelligence) have appealed that Shin Dong-hyuk be arrested and deported back to North Korea for the charge of assist-murder. (Aug 2021), As for his book thats been totally debunked as fake by NIS. Sorry to let you know.

[@tuanas458]

Its fake.

[@96NightRider96]

the grilled meat thing wasnt meant to be a joke

[@fissioncrusier]

nor the dudes story!!

[@xvdvn2216]

I think they mainly laughed because that wasn't really what they expected, not because it was actually "haha" funny.

[@fissioncrusier]

still we dont relize how good we have it!!!

[@EGoPRiNCExx]

Sometimes unexpected things are so hard to comprehend, human instincts have to laugh the absurdity off

[@neleschwarz1649]

@@EGoPRiNCExx true. Reminds me of the time I had to laugh at the news at the radio where they said someone good stabed because of a math exercise. I didn't thought it was funny, but just so absurd

[@fluttershy129]

read the book. I cried for 2 hours after I read it

[@planetvnus]

Michael Kindle the book is amazing! It seriously opened my eyes about what I take for granted

[@JK-cz1km]

don't talk crap. you're tear gland can only produce max 160 mililiters of liquid and in 15-20 min of crying like a baby you have reached it's limit 2h of crying is unhuman und annatural so i come to my opinion - you must be a oversized baby or an alien

[@lauralowe5509]

Da Professional someone's salty 😂😂 they were just exaggerating for effect

[@rebekahlikesmusic2723]

I just got the book!

[@spunkycat6144]

@@JK-cz1km I have cried for 2 hours. More even.

[@YTW-rw6pr]

It's a crime we don't do something about this. How can we turn a blind eye twice?!

[@scarletthanley5704]

Really great talk. I've enjoyed all of the talks on NK I've watched today. This may be my favorite.

[@WellItsLong]

Teaching children to betray parents- 1984

[@brookelopez1977]

"Keep your mouth shut" is good advice that works in so many different ways

[@moonjp]

Wow! Thank you for sharing.

[@HisBortness]

10 years later, here we are... look him up. Shin Dong-Hyuk made it all up. His book is full of lies. He has admitted it openly. It's all been blown to pieces.

[@irockiownirule]

that's because they don't even know what love is, let alone the notion of a family.

[@lenadolly8495]

This video should have min. 7mld views. Everyone should know about this. I wish Ill meet Shin. Ill gave everything for Him my faith, my luv, my everything what he needs.

[@Nbaykova]

Thank you for explaining this so well, yes in Russia during Stalin and even before he was in power, children were to taught to betray their parents too. Destruction of family was the key to full control. Thank God it's over and we are Free in Russia now, but we are so sad about NK and pray it ends very soon...

[@forblianonym9642]

Shin, You are a real life hero in every way. I cannot imagine the pain and even guilt you must feel for your family, but never forget that the guilt is the regims, not yours! Youwere a baby, born and grown up in an orwallian concentration camp, stripped of all humanity. Your story comes with the deepest lesson of what it means to be human and despite all you went through I see in you a light that shines so deep from within that no amount of darkness could ever reach it, thought it sure has tried! You showed me that darkness never really kills the light, so thank you. You are my inspiration.

[@tuanas458]

He's lying.

[@victoriashubskaya2188]

I really want to read Blaine Hardens book after this, it makes me so sad that people are living that way. But sadly there isn't that much I can do :(

[@wmpriest123]

minor correction on the presenter's statement: "when Stalin died the camps died with him" (soviet union reference) actually only some of the camps. A lot of them existed right up until the official end of the soviet union and the establishment of Russia back then as we know it today. But the rest of the lecture is mostly correct.

[@diana.nikolova7383]

I am speechless

[@Andrea-dj9hh]

The book is so good I suggest I read it

[@freeshpriincetv4882]

God bless him what goes on in the world is unimaginable

[@hi9580]

i'd say they've still go 100 years or so the way they're doing things

[@aikishugyo]

A horrible but eye-opening talk. The more we learn about what dark things we are capable of, the better we are able to defend against these things, and help others around us.

[@infin1te_]

i've been reading through the comments and besides seeing a few like, "wow, what an eye-opener" and "how are we continuing to ignore this? we cannot turn a blind eye anymore!", the rest of these comments are like what in the world...

[@kirkanos771]

When will YT add a sound balance button onto the player GUI ?

[@eliotvideos2009]

4:42 Yes

[@Top10Signs]

I loved the book, but my right ear loved ALL the audio

[@dicey8928]

My new earphones 🎧 weren't broken after all .Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Dimosarrr]

You think the darkness is your ally? I was BORN in it! MOLDED by it!

[@arlinegeorge6967]

Great great talk. We humans few of them use might is right ! When power corrupt society dictates these terms in this day n age. The abused soul is forced to accept survival of the fittest. Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true.

[@dunnobutwayne]

great book, and there ae moer but btw my right ear.. i love it

[@jgedutis]

Wow! Just Wow!

[@marieg.9839]

Not surprised at all by what I’m hearing.

[@eunicemwangi540]

i just realized what anthropology is from this video

[@TheCharacterActor]

I've read his book. It deserves the Pulitzer prize.

[@AnyoneCanSee]

Just awful. I saw a women give a talk about her escape on TED. It actually brought me to tears. /watch?v=PdxPCeWw75k OK, i found it. It is incredibly moving throughout.

[@marktreston2982]

Ten years later and only 200,000 views. I bet most people in the world still do not know about the camps in North Korea. Most people still equate the authoritarian regime of the Kims with democratic governments. I hope more people take the time to learn about the horrific conditions North Koreans continue to live under in 2022.

[@webgpu]

one of its main products: a video, from ted, was allowed to be posted without minimum quality standards: The audio from left channel is missing. I suppose TED think they can post videos with questionable quality and people will accept it without manifesting themselves.

[@rzr2ffe325]

So sad. Unfortunately, not a damn thing can be done about it.

[@anniesue4456]

Volume is messed up such a shame

[@TheBluEla]

no audio?

[@pinkpoodlepaloma]

Its shocking, I read the book

[@omarkhanlilcurry]

by all means Shin should've have been like bane from batman. Yet, he seems to be a nice man with a strong sense of right and wrong. So why is it that kids who are abused here in a america think it is okay to commit mass murders later on in life?

[@MrTriple3D]

because they have more freedom

[@stephcrumpled]

"Slipped and fell" :D no way, guy is a SURVIVOR, he planned that all along imo . Damn, poor guy

[@bectaddeo717]

I admire you Shin. I don't know how much it would take you to reach freedom in its psychological sense. You still manage to smile and be joyful despite the horrific and sad events in your life. I pray to God to grant you peace. You are adding value and impact to millions of people around the globe.

[@IRosamelia]

I'm reading the book now and have seen some of the interviews. Shin says it's a sin what happened to Park, I imagined the same, there's no way Park's death was accidental. Shin betrayed him and used his body as insulation from the barb wire. The guy is a survivor indeed 😔

[@Emdoesstupidstuff]

We know what he said is true, because no-one can create such a terribly realistic horror story.

[@samreilly7152]

Good Lord, that is so sad!

[@kaycollarfeild]

So I heard this story from this guys mouth.. he didn't snitch on his family. He was tortured. And didnt know anything about his mums escape.

[@ZersusAfterwork]

I dont have any sound.

[@spunkycat6144]

I had no idea of these camps Why are we not getting them all out and stopping this madness? This should be first priority. Also, I don't think many people know (like I did not) that Russia took over N. Korea. after Japan or much about the Korean War. I did not understand any of it and had to watch what looks like a child's video to understand, because the invasion and occupation of northern Korea and why is the most important thing to understand. I was watching a movie on Tubi about the girls from Korea who were used as pleasure woman (Snowy Road). It was unbelievable and I can't believe more people are not discussing this.

[@DusanStraus59]

Un believeble, strong massage for all people what manipulation a brainwashing can creted. Very similar to sects. Peronaly I experienced something like taht... All he best Shin

[@ivyzheng3802]

I honestly dont think shin tripped and fell on accident

[@zairemmawii]

I thought my earphone broke😵

[@diogr81]

There is no sound

[@avedic]

shin dong-hyuk

[@puresalvation2009]

I have to correct Blaine, Stalin did not invent the concentration camp, Britain did in the Boar war in South Africa in the early 1900's. We have to make sure these authors properly research topics before trying to educate us in this, that and the other. Right I am done with this comment.

[@wujumagic]

I might be wrong but I think he meant that Stalin invented camps that work exactly like North Korea’s - Yes, Britain invented concentration camps, but nk and the ussr were allies so I think he’s trying to say that North Korea copied the exact style that Stalin invented. Not sure if that’s what he meant though

[@user-vb2yd9zm3v]

충격적이다..

[@dragonblade7273]

yup found a camp

[@dunnobutwayne]

nice vid but too bad only mono sound

[@eboyblackout]

Is it me or the left side doesn't work?

[@663rainmaker]

I am Praying for the Freedom for all of GOD'S children, And satan has to let my people go!

[@Steveinthailand]

The NIS (South Korean Intelligence) have appealed that Shin Dong-hyuk be arrested and deported back to North Korea for the charge of assist-murder. (Aug 2021)

[@skuttle7107]

Does anyone else realize how much NK is like WWII Germany?

[@fissioncrusier]

worse there doing all this stuff to their OWN people!

[@depressedaf3603]

Germany was in a much better condition.

[@felixsfreckles5712]

But it's much worse

[@AsteriETERNAL]

One day. Soon.

[@getoutaway8139]

this remembers me of zeke from attack on titan

[@dollymadison2397]

The more I hear about NK, the more it seems surreal to me. If THIS doesn't put things in perspective, Idkw POSSIBLY could.

[@Mimi-gj3sx]

What is the title of the book

[@escabasket153]

Mimi Le Escape From Camp 14

[@Muhamedim]

If south Korea could annexe north korea, 25 million people could live in one of the most developped countries, even the south korean economy would expand allowing for more refugees and immigrants from other countries to be helped

[@mani6875]

How is their populations still keeping up with all the death??

[@ayaywang7576]

Massentierhaltung but human version

[@kevin77111]

cannot compare to shin's personal presentation of his story with this utter lack of emotion

[@florachildressEarth2Flo]

Why aren’t these people dealt with? This is barbaric. It’s an atosity. So sad that this exist.

[@cpsavage2005]

Because the people with the power to stop it (in the US , Germany, and elsewhere) won’t. That’s why.

[@jennibethcabalfin2658]

This is a serious issue that the world should take action about it so that the evilness of that political dinasty of north korea will end.

[@9GreenTomato9]

Just a shame that in germany a thining like the one in NK had benn not even 100 years ago im happy that i havnt seen anything of the second ww and his effects because it just had been awefull if it was as bad as NK....but believe the new german generation arent nazis or anything like this. We learnd out of our mistakes! At least everybody did.

[@RaniVeluNachar-kx4lu]

I wonder if there is something uniquely specific to N. K. mentality that perpetuates cruelty? Is there some basis for a paternal ancestor worship mentality or culture that is especially immune to compassion? Why has this system of repression existed for so long? Is it because the PRC needs a buffer against the West? Is this the same system identical to the 1950's in Romania? So economic collapse of the USSR led to the collapse of the Chauchesciu dictatorship. Then only when the collapse of the PRC into a modified socialist/capitalist with multi-party political rule, will we see the collapse of the Kim dictatorship. Single party political systems fail. So everyone vote and support a dialog between multiple parties in your countries. That dialog will be FREEDOM.

[@carlosferreira3902]

Ignorância e falta de respeito com as pessoas isso precisa acabar urgente

[@wazup3333]

realistically we can't believe shins version of his story is true

[@Makena091]

What do you mean?

[@wazup3333]

@@Makena091 he can be lying, changing his story, leaving out things..etc..

[@stevenbaksh5545]

He recanted most of his story

[@laurenkho2584]

It is nit

[@user-lp1ym5eb3k]

Shin must have massive balls

[@lornakim5706]

All of my Comments via KZbin Kentucky Legend Whiskey-glazed Ham Recipe & on additional Videos

[@kh-fm5rv]

Cringing bc... right ear 😖😖 but I really want to hear this story 😂😭

[@infyza2]

How do we know any of what he said is even true?

[@omarkhanlilcurry]

dammit man

[@dentrout9383]

Blaine Harden's book was very uninformative! The author had little regard for the main characters life or the trials he was faced with. The book has lots undertones that display his own dislike for shin (the main character); which doesn't make sense if he is writing a book about him?! Hardens' tone was very flat and uncaring. I would have rather bought Shins' book that was sold in South Korea, the very book Hardin trashes the entire time, then have bought this book therefor giving 50% of my money or more to the author. I can not believe how people can talk about or use someone in this manner, in a way re-victimizing Shin all over again! Yes Mr. Harden we get it, Shin turned in his mother and brother which led to their execution..... Why do you feel the need to continue reiterating this fact??! Maybe some one should reiterate to you the AUTHOR, what exactly it is your writing about???! This book was written careless thought for the topic or the person the book was intended to be written about! I understand why your getting such great reviews for this book, it because like myself most of your readers have a natural inclination to learn about other peoples life struggles and at the same time lack knowledge of North Korea and what actually goes on there; so they buy your book!!! Which was full of your opinions and dislike for the very person your writing about, who is the living breathing definition of victim if there ever was one!! I hope you people do not even read or buy your book!!! and if they must please listen to it on KZbin!!!! DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!

[@jaquelynngering3586]

I disagree with you. Everything in the book stressed over and over that Shin was so brainwashed that he didn't understand concepts like love, or loyalty to his family. How can you blame someone for betraying their family when they don't understand and have never experienced love or loyalty? Shin was ruled by fear and hunger because that was all he knew. I never felt that the Hardin was inserting his own opinions on that, merely telling the story, and I didn't feel that he blamed or disliked Shin because of it. If I felt any emotion from the author, it was pity. Hardin focuses on this fact because it shows most clearly how much the camp effected Shin. The fact that Shin viewed his mother and brother as competition for food isn't because Shin is a horrible person (nor does the book portray it in that light), but because the the camps are designed to destroy a person's humanity.

[@dentrout9383]

Everything you're saying about the character, i.e., Shin, is correct and I completely agree with what you're saying. However, my comment was in reference to the author - not Shin's plight. I think one needs to read beyond basic emotions that an author would attempt to conjure in a reader. Obviously Shin is a victim here and his situation naturally evokes our human empathy, but I'm talking about the direct opinions and insertions from the author into this book, which I do not agree with. I think once you make that distinction, you will understand what I was trying to say in my initial review. We all have our own opinions and I think you and I are on the same page with most of what we are discussing.

[@caramelbilquees]

+Jaquelynn Gering thank you so very well explained

[@rogerdodger8415]

ITHEREONETHATHASNT There are VERY well documented witnesses to the horrors of the death camps. You just need to look. The NAZIS denied the Jewish atrocities too. And then as is now, there are "useful idiots" that agree with such nonsense.

[@jaquelynngering3586]

Den Trout​ You keep saying things like "direct opinions and insertions from the author". If you're talking about direct, then quote or explain what you mean instead of being needlessly vague and just complaining. I do not think we're on the same page, because I saw nothing in the book to justify your complaints. I saw zero dislike of Shin from the author. I saw zero opinions expressed by the author which would justify your outrage.

[@konstantinoss9715]

I wouldn't laugh at the grilled meat part, audience.

[@mindit808]

A lot of parallels bw this and the Jehovah's Witness organization and culture.

[@lifeonwheels5756]

This guy should have rehearsed a little better..

[@sparkplay2369]

Shin asked Park I mean park said shin I mean wtf this guy

[@tonydimera282]

Shin changed his story a few times and Blained knew it but he wa$$ ok with it $$

[@Aikyiomi]

A story turned out not to be true

[@Makena091]

How so?

[@jessicadiaz8500]

Mostly true, doesn’t disregard all the scars he has

[@RunningRiot14]

Why did this guy open like He betrayed his family He should have been asleep. SNITCHING??

[@LeahSunKyu]

phyak hue That was what he was trained to do. He felt no guilt because that's what he thought it was correct, that's how brainwashed he was.

[@matintemori7490]

It’s a fake story no shin exists with such a story .

[@user-no4nx6fh6h]

正恩加油好嗎 整型國還在壓榨別人呢

[@jakebeaudoin1395]

This guys breathing makes me cringe

[@leto6484]

He was the 8th member OF BTS!!!

[@rodgerd9662]

Ted is so pretentious and ridiculous.

[@drugvash4899]

Fraud

[@rogerdodger8415]

We need one of these camps for Democrats.

[@0rluh]

They already have them for Republicans and they’re called trailer parks.

[@juliaj7939]

Actually most people living in trailer parks and ghettos are Democrats. Stats prove this.

[@bectaddeo717]

the grilled meat thing wasnt meant to be a joke