North Korea’s ‘Return to Paradise’ nightmare

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Silver award winner at the New York Festivals Film and TV Awards 2024 in the category of Documentary Short Form:
Hyangsu Park grew up in Japan’s small North Korean community, a group centred around the idea that the secretive authoritarian state was actually a “paradise on Earth”. For Park, the notion of a North Korean paradise was more than just an idea - it was a daily reality for her relatives who were convinced to move there by a long-running PR campaign offering ethnic Koreans from Japan citizenship, flats and jobs. But when her uncle, aunt and cousins suddenly disappeared, it became clear that the reality in North Korea was far from paradise.
Related story:
‘I led people into hell’: how North Korea lured immigrants sc.mp/barqup
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[@digits001]

I saw a sad story about 2 Korean brothers in Japan, of which 1 returned to NK. Before he left he told his brother to peel back the stamp of the letter he sends from NK. When the letter arrived, on the back of the stamp it said “don’t come”.

[@Nmb7384]

💔

[@psilobom]

A friend/coworker of mine was from Cuba. He told us a story how, when he was a child, he would cry and beg his mom to just take them back to Cuba, that life was not as bad as they thought it was. It wasn't until he vacationed to Cuba as an adult that he realized the scale of the poverty, how bad it truly was. Sometimes your mind plays a trick on you, your nostalgia creates blinders to how things truly were.

[@user-wk3kb5sd9y]

Is there a video on this story?

[@lsdstrawberry6260]

​@@psilobomEspecially if you never really lived there..

[@SuperS3KT0R]

This is heartbreaking.

[@zaa6257]

noticed her cousin's family barely even smiled in every photo

[@artsyhyd]

Right? It’s like they have nothing to be happy about or to look foward to 😢

[@BartShinn]

Not smiling on the photo proves nothing. Some people dont like smile during photo shoot, and it doesnt have to mean that they are sad or smth

[@justicewillprevail1106]

@@BartShinn they look sad and their eyes seems EMPTY.

[@isauroras]

@@justicewillprevail1106 but arent those pics taken when they were in japan, before moving to nk? cause no way they'd allow to take pictures together in nk, cmiiw

[@SadiaIslamShouki]

​​@@isaurorasno, Her uncle left Japan as a teen, because in Japan he was getting a lot of discrimination, plus his gf also went to NK.These cousins are actually his children. There is no way her cousins whom they never met before can go to Japan as they can't even move to another city let alone another country.Since she is from a certain community she could visit north Korea (these photos are when she went there for a school trip, a campaign that is part of north Korean propaganda,may be it was her camera which she took with her.

[@uwsgrrrl9981]

It’s horrible that the Red Cross helped the people leave Japan for N. Korea. Shameful.

[@MomMom4Cubs]

Unfortunately, this is far from the worst human rights abuses perpetrated by the Red Cross/Crescent.

[@krystingrant6292]

I can't stand that organization

[@kendalson7100]

​@@krystingrant6292same here. Worse than the Mafia.

[@MortonT1958]

During that time period, the Red Cross likely didn’t know the full extent of the repression in North Korea.

[@dann547]

Sure they didn’t 🧐

[@youcanletgox3]

Thank you, Hyangsu Park, for sharing your family’s story. You fear that forgetting them means they’ll cease to exist even from memory, but by giving this interview, you have ensured that they are never forgotten. I hope that, wherever they are, your uncle, aunt, and cousins are reunited once more and have found their peace again ❤️

[@Fleshox19-uz3qt]

Totally agree. Well said.

[@tehcsiamg3185]

The North Korea regime is using the same method used by the first communist regime by the Soviet Russia regime....there wasn't any helps from the former communist regimes...... The people remind poor, and it reflects the economy of the communist country....

[@aprilhungary4421]

9999999o9oo9999 Ok o99

[@buggyman286]

Brain dead CCP bots be like: these are all paid actors by the CIA its pure western bias media.

[@Steve.._.]

​@@tehcsiamg3185the economy has gotten a bit better since. They now make their own phones and cars

[@ProtomanButCallMeBlues]

You cant blame the uncle. This before the internet, and actually before a lot was revealed. At this point most people actually thought North Korea was richer and more developed than the South.

[@yothiga]

I kind of remember that most natural resources are in the north too!

[@ProtomanButCallMeBlues]

@@yothiga Yeah, a bunch of industry had been set up because the mountains in the north are resource rich.

[@nachonachoman]

He was a kid

[@SallySchizfase]

Yes, I don't see fault with Uncle at all. He was tricked into thinking he was moving to a nice place.

[@intreoo]

I can’t imagine living with the regret of knowing that you doomed your family + bloodline by moving to North Korea rather than staying in Japan. Such a gut wrenching story…

[@supa3ek]

Koreans in japan are facing racial injustice though

[@killjoyxvi]

@@supa3ek The commenter was talking about the uncle who might have felt regret about moving to NK. And based on the video, it appears that he indeed regretted moving and wanted to come back to Japan (06:10). You're comment doesn't add anything valuable to the original comment. Are you saying he made the right choice because by so doing, he escaped racism? What would you have suggested?

[@piratekid1]

​@@supa3ekit's either racist freedom or neverending oppression from your own people. Would you really hesitate when choosing either?

[@dan-bz7dz]

1 in 5 NK defectors regrets leaving (source: bloomberg). So it can't be that bad.

[@lenitaa7938]

@@dan-bz7dzThey likely regret leaving the familiar! The Culture shock! Also, the N Korean Govt tells its people how to think, what to think, which clothing to wear, which haircut, where to live, etc!! Lots and lots of strict rules! So, when they move to a country with more freedoms, many cannot handle it! It takes years to grow and heal psychologically, emotionally, to grow as a person! Now, u have all the food choices u want, can open a business, can buy any clothing and furniture u want, better living conditions, etc etc! This is huge! Too many choices to cope with! I hope S Korea assigns the N Koreans mentors and psychological help! Culture classes would help! The Soviet immigrants and refugees had same issues when moving to the West! Some even went back, although, they were persecuted there! Language difficulties, missing homeland, inability to handle such a big culture shock and new temptations! One Soviet author said , “At least the KGB was interested in my writings!” 😂

[@callmegale]

I remember watching another video wherein a young girl in Japan disappeared on her way home. Years later, someone tipped her family that North Koreans kidnapped her. Her family then consulted with the Japanese ambassador to talk to North Korea so there was so much tension between the two countries because North Korea denied knowing anything about it. Years passed by, her family members died one by one (of natural death and old age) and only her Mom and sister were alive, still searching for her. Then they got another lead, a photo shows the girl now in her 40s living in North Korea. But still, North Korea denied knowing anything despite the pressure from Japan. Eventually, the mother died, leaving the sister as the only living family member to search for the girl. More years passed, someone reached out to the sister and introduced herself as the daughter of the girl. Sadly, the girl has already passed away of old age and she apparently chose to stay in North Korea because she had a family of her own there already. Her daughter is also still in North Korea.

[@marinadela1361]

That sounds horrible what a sad ending.

[@user-gs1dh8nk6w]

oh my gosh

[@lue3667]

That was Megumi yokota she was one of several abducted in 1977. She didn’t die of old age but no one knows exactly what happened to her because North Korea claims that she killed herself.

[@kristinedoty7876]

They were kidnapped in order to teach the Japanese language to North Korean operatives.

[@azurecliff8709]

The Japanese earnestly desire that all Koreans in Japan return to the Korean peninsula.

[@everyxheart]

She is extremely lucky that her side of the family didn't move to North Korea.

[@davidmingko]

My heart hurts so much watching this. One can only imagine what she feels. It seems like she has no more tears to shed.

[@Beckala67]

I can't imagine how her uncle's relative (other Uncle) in Japan, must feel, knowing that his drunken rant caused the torture and death of this woman's Uncle, and the imprisonment of his family.

[@cityofjesse5447]

@@Beckala67 right? It’s normal to have a regrettable night out drinking, but when it condemns your family in this way.. thats wild. This whole situation is just sad all around tbh.

[@azurecliff8709]

The Japanese earnestly desire that all Koreans in Japan return to the Korean peninsula.

[@dens3096]

Such a terrific woman! Beautiful and kind and loving her family to this day! Just breaks my heart…

[@somethingtothinkabout167]

My korean father in law died this year aged 100. He was born in North Korea but escaped to the south just before the war with his aunty. He was stopped at the boarder because he had no papers so his aunty told him to go back one station and walk over the boarder at night. He fought for the south and was wounded. He never wanted to go back even for a visit. Hope we can visit his hometown one day soon.

[@albarjas8360]

I thought North Koreans are welcomed to walk into South Korea, since they're considered South Korea citizens...

[@eenah466]

@@albarjas8360 i believe they could only get SPR from the 80/90's, the DMZ was made in the 50s. even now they cant walk in per say, its been known that other countries have deported north koreans back to NK after their escape.

[@cristaclaire]

@@albarjas8360they are. The problem is walk through the NK part of border

[@fuccbui]

I feel bad for them, I guess it taught me in life to not blindly trust words like “motherland” and “fatherland” as a form of smoke and mirrors but rather to judge things with your own thoughts and judgment

[@paulhunter6742]

Discrimination and mistrust by Japanese Government didn't help situation either.

[@7kingjames33]

Perfect example the caliphate

[@dylanraewulf4272]

What strikes me is how incredibly sad the cousins looked in the pictures, even BEFORE their father was taken. They were obviously not ever okay or happy and healthy… this is just awful. I don’t know how this county is still going.

[@Aiuto-vk5tq]

With Chinas backing its still going. Without the support of the Chinese Dictatorship it would have folded many years ago.

[@jonwalton471]

The music volume often drowns out the dialog in this video. Subtitles save the day.

[@Sjalabais]

She is such an intelligent and eloquent interview subject and the video is wonderfully presented. Well done! But, please tell your sound guys the next time that music should never be louder than the interviewee's voice.

[@Dilley_G45]

Yes....why is that not obvious?

[@RosemaryStudy]

Thank you - I feel the same way!

[@marksmithro5048]

Amazing story from Hyangsu Park. She's not the only one that's opening up about her story about North Korea and the exposure of it. But it's still sad that 30-60+ years later North Korean citizens still don't have freedom and rights and being abused by Kim Jong-Un and his past family members. One day Kim's empire will fall as nothing last forever.

[@akane8615]

I feel like north korea are getting stronger and more knowledgeable so it might be harder for them to fall in the future. The old are slowly dying and that leave the youngster that know nothing and it's a vicious cycle of brainwashing.

[@NavigatorMother]

I fear for the people. The lights are off at night in NK, because no power anywhere, anytime. The nation's surrounding NK all watch it like waiting one day for its fall. But the Kims know what dictators always know. A people weakened by hunger will never make revolution. Kim trafficks his people for more than labour. He sells his nation's daughters to Chinese village men, where their life expectancy is 6 months, when they are replaced. The sons are sold for labour. The small children are used for farming. His soldiers are sent home malnourished for their families to build up, and return to duty. They must find their own food from peasants. All is systemic corruption, extortion. My heart never stops it's tears for the children because some of these people can be so kind and I don't know how.

[@edl6398]

Yes. It will fall. You are right. It just feels like it will never end.

[@thecakedoesntlie]

yeah i get that, it seems never eending, but it will fall eventually, karma will come.. in some way@@edl6398

[@dens3096]

Such a terrific woman! Beautiful and kind and loving her family to this day! Just breaks my heart…

[@MassDynamic]

this is why you gotta be careful of those "the grass is greener" ads. gotta do your own deep research

[@mrhand3350]

russian say about turkmenkistan

[@TheStraightGod]

@@mrhand3350 Nobody is fooled by Turkmenistan.

[@lillyie]

to be fair, back in 1960s,there was no internet or any way to know that north korea was really bad, and it was the time the north was actually better off than in the south. if i was a korean in japan facing discrimination from these people that once conquered our country and this ad suddenly saying "come back to paradise!", i'd do so in a heartbeat

[@L333gok]

Except this is propaganda. North Korea might not be perfect but it is better than Japan. North Korea have communism so no homelessness of starving

[@woodedlane]

There is a book 'The Aquariums of Pyongyang' that talks about the Koreans who escaped to Japan during the war and how they were coerced into moving back to North Korea only to then realize they had moved to a prison they could not escape from.

[@goeticfolklore]

Thanks for the recommendation

[@woodedlane]

@@goeticfolklore Of course. I also recommend 'Escape From Camp 14' and 'Nothing to Envy.'

[@goeticfolklore]

@@woodedlane Thanks so much I will definitely check these out! If you are interested in other authoritarian gov focused book recs I have a source for PDFS for activist Liao Yiwu's books/interviews on China in the 90's.

[@woodedlane]

@@goeticfolklore Thanks so much. China has definitely been on my radar lately. I have chatted through Twitter with the guy who escaped Camp 14. He is married now, with children, living in South Korea. :)

[@woodedlane]

@@goeticfolklore And then of course there is Scientology. I find it very interesting that the 'Church of Scientology' operates very much like North Korea does. lol

[@barcelonachair6487]

This woman is brave for speaking up. Thank you SCMP for this video.

[@TorontoJuly]

I can really relate to this story.. During the Korean War my grandmother took all her children(born and raised in Japan) to North Korea except for my mother as my father did not trust the Soviet Russia and communism. My grandmother believed the communist propaganda as many intellectuals did at that time. My father went onto building air fields for the US Air Force. We also found out later one of my uncle who had to go to North Korea with my grandmother died shortly after during the Korean War fighting for North Korea. Just a 19 years old boy. For many years until her passing my mother lived with the pain and guilt of being only one to enjoy the freedom in South Korea and North America..

[@nnnnnn3647]

"My grandmother believed the communist propaganda as many intellectuals did at that time." They still believe.

[@jessicaandersson4313]

This channel has another clip showing how much the Japanese were involved in the campaign to get Koreans to move to Nort Korea. They saw it as a solution fo a problem causs they didn't want them in Japan. Many went cause they were dwnied citizwnship in Japan and were therefore excluded from many jobs and large part of society.

[@rad_y6315]

​@@jessicaandersson4313, wow... this explains a lot. I was wondering why they allow the propaganda on their soil. I saw another documentary about North Korean school in Japan hanging the portraits of the dictators and spreading lies and propaganda. Contemporary school, in these days, creating young activists who stand for the regime. I was wondering why the Japanese allow it. Very hypocritic, very sad.

[@TrollBot.]

​@@jessicaandersson4313I agree Japan defenitly has part to blame for this.

[@advanleeuwen672]

​@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist8Yes. But do the people know since bibles are forbidden there?

[@nt4409]

One of my relatives in Myanmar once told me, “north korea is nothing like what they are being portrayed in the media”. And this same lady told me that Myanmar was not ready for democracy (her family has ties with the military). The conversations were a few years before the coup. Now she wants democracy.

[@Elira-jr4tv]

Let me guess Her family got purged by the junta

[@alexander1989x]

No country is ready for anything. But it must start somewhere.

[@redrust3]

My mom was born in Japan in 1928. She was educated by a government dominated by the Japanese Army, taught about the divine superiority of the Japanese, as well as the inferiority of Koreans. She blamed them for the fires that consumed Tokyo after the 1923 Kanto Earthquake. (It was actually the tinder-dry paper and wood construction os small villages and cities, easily set alight by a match.). Korea was a Japanese colony from 1910 to 1945. Although my friend and I were born in Hawaii to Japanese mothers, he was ingrained with the contempt from birth. So it persists to this day, even in whispers. I feel the alienation of ethnic Koreans in Japan and elsewhere. And a longing for a North Korea that never existed. I empathize with her pain and frustration, and hope she can come to terms with it.)

[@TheSmokinducks]

Watch the Korean film #Mr Sunshine.

[@veronicascott313]

Lahaina fire.

[@jessicaandersson4313]

This channel has another clip where they cover more how the Japanese government was very much behind the campaign to get Koreans to resettle in North Korea as a way to get rid of them. Many went to North Korea cause despite generations being born in Japan, they were denied citizenship and therefore excluded from many jobs etc.

[@antoniocasias5545]

Who are "he" and "she"

[@antoniocasias5545]

Who are "he" and "she"?

[@anastasiagraham2418]

I remember falling into a rabbit hole wiki-reading about abductions of foreign nationals by the nk gov. It’s insane how many of these ‘abductions’ happen not just to zainichi koreans but multiple other foreign nationals and their gov doesn’t or can’t do anything about it

[@Kelfaless1]

Apprently, in the Zainichi’s case, the Japanese government WANTED them to move to NK

[@baxterbunch]

@@Kelfaless1yes they saw it as the solution to the problem

[@longshotny]

Unfortunately Soviets stole 1000s of our pows, & USA abandoned them in WW1, WW2, Korean, & Vietnam wars. Surreal but true: Books: "Enormous Crime"-by Bill Hendon -2-"Abandon in-Place" by-Lynn O'shea. Why? Soviets wanted technical knowledge, planes, (extortion) war reparations. & embarrassed America to all Europe "most powerful country but can't get their pows back. Unconsciously & enragingly-depressing

[@user-vr6gl2lc8n]

The Japanese earnestly desire that all Koreans in Japan return to the Korean peninsula.

[@user-ek5od4rl6k]

​@@user-vr6gl2lc8n맞습니다.. 당시 1960년대 재일조선인들은 일본에게 골칫거리였고 마침 북한이 송환 사업을 한다기에 옳다구나 하고 다 보내버렸죠.. 다만 그때 재일조선인과 결혼한 일본여성들도 같이 갔다가 일본으로 송환되지 못했습니다

[@jam8489]

The saddest and most heartbreaking story that many are going through. My prayers and best wishes to her and those who are hurting inside because of this.

[@Lktravel1]

Great short documentary, shame propaganda was taught in Korean schools in Japan during those decades. I also read a report that the Japanese government were also willing to send many Korean peoples out of Japan, so they worked with the North Korean Gov. to organise ferry services.

[@user-ie5tg5fs3m]

a bit like china now

[@AL_YZ]

The Zainichi have the competing South Korean narrative and Japanese and US narratives readily available. These folks were contrarians to those versions of reality. Not only that, the zainichi were and are anti-Japanese. They want to leave, fine. The Zainichi wanted the Japanese to help make it happen? Fine. They chose what to believe and made their choices with their eyes wide open. Unlike people in the West, the Japanese are free of the need to feel responsible and guilty for the fate that people chose for themselves.

[@andrewpark5757]

It's not just those decades. Same propaganda is still taught at North Korean schools in Japan. What's funny is kids attending these schools are now like 5th or 6th gen ethnic Koreans and speak Korean with an extremely heavy Japanese accent. Even their teachers who are in their 20s(4th gen) teach the kids in a heavy Japanese accent. Japanese Kpop idols(100% Japanese) speak better Korean than the ethnic North Korean community. What's also interesting is that these North Koreans look more Japanese than Koreans as generations pass even though they don't have any Japanese blood in them.

[@user-ie5tg5fs3m]

@@andrewpark5757 what do you mean they look japanese in what features ?

[@andrewpark5757]

@@user-ie5tg5fs3m Their face. Westerners can't tell the difference, but Asians can generally tell each other apart by how the face looks.

[@Toolgdskli]

So heart breaking. I wish miracle happens to her family.

[@lost4356]

did you watch the whole video?

[@ROBLOXGamingDavid]

Learning more about that, since I first learned about Chongryon from Vox (since 2019), it shocked me. However, these recent days, there will be some people who will think otherwise, that it isn't as heartbreaking compared to what they will say about the West and those who condemn North Korea. Keep watch for NK/anti-Western trolls/bots/supporters.

[@minhthanhhoang4486]

Not only we can remember North Korea and Romania, but we also need to remember East Germany during the Cold War. Is there any hope of charging the crimes of North Korea, and creating a unification of Korea by South Korea without declaring war?

[@LolLolLolLolOvO]

If the poor cousins and aunt are still alive in N Korea, I think this lady probably doomed them with this interview...... first her oldest uncle, now her, this family just love to doom their family member with carelessness, huh?

[@ClaraSticks.like.figure]

​@@lost4356"I'll be waiting for you" satan

[@MontaguStudios]

Horrifying documentary. I feel so sorry for her and her family. BTW to the audio person in South China Morning Post: please balance the music and voices properly next time.

[@pjacobsen1000]

Yeah, the music was a bit loud compared to the narrator.

[@TheImmoralNosferatuZodd]

"Mr Kim" was probably either one of the Secret Police, or one of the people in that room who ended up cooperating with the Secret Police.

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

The big uncle in Japan put the North Korean uncle in terrible danger. Everyone reported against everyone else there so he was now considered a traitor.

[@TheImmoralNosferatuZodd]

@@WindTurbineSyndrome right. But how would Mr Kim know of the events, unless he had first had knowledge?

[@lolaispure4296]

​@@TheImmoralNosferatuZoddright

[@andrewlaw8121]

So sad. Life is so cheap to satisfy a madman’s ego.

[@Truongchihai83]

not just a madman, his father, his grandfather , they all ruled and is ruling North Korea

[@edl6398]

@@Truongchihai83I wonder who will inherit this sadistic regime in his family?

[@cjroj7214]

@@edl6398his daughter

[@SgtAndrewM]

Let's not forget the commissars

[@tomeknaj]

Seriously, what's with the music volume? Makes the whole thing hard to watch.

[@Anastasia2048]

Ya the music was too loud and it didn't help her voice was kinda quiet.

[@tomcat505]

The pictures they took as a family, there are no smiles. This is so sad.

[@TheBLGL]

That’s how my family takes pictures. We are white Americans. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Tribuneoftheplebs]

They also look malnourished and frail 😢

[@femmebrulee5053]

I noticed that too.

[@blowitoutyourcunt7675]

Any movement in photos past caused major BLURS, no moving or smiling!

[@Cletus_the_Elder]

What a horror movie it must have been for these families who made the journey, only to find desolation and repression.

[@paulhunter6742]

Brings to mind phrase "All that Glitters is not Gold". Same story can said for immigrants to USA because they're given false impression that ALL their problems be resolved. Life never works out like propaganda.

[@jisooswife343Y]

this is heartbreaking. to think there's about 94,000 more stories like this 💔😢😢

[@pjacobsen1000]

It's like China during the Cultural Revolution, but the Cultural Revolution only lasted 10 years (1966-1976, with the first 6 years being the worst). In North Korea, this has gone on for over 70 years.

[@NyoungLover]

At least in cultural revolution there's attempt and willingness from the government to better the lives of people although some of the way is wrong. In North Korea there was never such thing, Kim dynasty only objective is to prolong their rule.

[@pjacobsen1000]

@@NyoungLover I don't really see any examples of trying to better lives of people. When Mao said 炮打司令部, it was the beginning of societal chaos: Young people bullying, torturing and sometimes killing their teachers, their family members. No, it did not better the lives of people. Of course, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping and others knew this, but they did not have the power to stop it. And Mao got what he wanted: Absolute power.

[@NyoungLover]

@@pjacobsen1000 Like I said the way is wrong but the intentions is to make modernized China and remove feudalism.

[@pjacobsen1000]

@@NyoungLover Well, that's what they said, but I think a more important goal was to regain Mao's complete power over the Party. Remember, just before 1966, he was increasingly sidelined by Deng and Liu, who both wanted a more pragmatic path forward. That eventually came to pass after Mao passed away.

[@ROBLOXGamingDavid]

@@pjacobsen1000nowadays China's faring better economically but never once politically in terms of freedom. North Korea... there's just.... no need for explanation. (unless if anyone thinks theres more to it, unlike how everything that happens is America's fault and some people I came across said there is no bigger picture)

[@ampa4989]

My heart shrank thinking of the plight of her uncle and his poor family as well as his sister, the narrator's mother. But I took a small measure of comfort thinking they are all gone and no longer suffering and there are no more later generations who will endure the same fate. I hope North Koreans one day will be freed from their yoke of oppression.

[@shturm602]

"...moved to North Korea" is possibly of the most disconcerting sentences I have ever heard.

[@BrA_KwAmE]

It’s sad to see people in North Korea 🇰🇵 suffer but we have little or nothing to help them with. As an African and a Ghanaian 🇬🇭 I hope things change for them

[@MomMom4Cubs]

Bless you for your kind words!

[@masterchinese28]

A very touching story. I know people who have been to North Korea as well as immigrants from there. A friend of mine who lives in Inner Mongolia told me that her parents immigrated to China in the late '80s, just before she was born. She says that they are very much against the regime that they left behind. I didn't get any specifics from her, but she made it sound like they were very happy to be in the relative freedom of China.

[@BlackLotusNinja]

Compared to NK China is indeed a paradise lol. Actually, living China is not that bad as mass media may portray.

[@masterchinese28]

@SaltyDoggM0BF I moved to China right after my MBA and have lived there since 2003. I have had a great life there and it was one of my best decisions. Similar to what you said, the friends and family that have visited me are surprised how free and normal things are, which doesn't match what media says. Before the pandemic, there was what I called "young energy" as every year was better than the last and people were optimistic. Sadly this has changed recently.

[@psilobom]

​@masterchinese28 I think with a MBA you'll find almost anywhere you go will roll the red carpet out for you, depending on what you can do. But going from a poor North Korean laborer to a poor refugee in China, I wonder how much of an improvement it would seem to be. We had one NK refugee who spoke at our college(idk her name but she did a few Ted Talks about it). I remember her being terrified to come to the States, uncertain of the quality of life. She arrived in LA (late 1990s) and was amazed at the quality of life, even among the poor and working class. She was amazed at how even the homeless seemed to have a better quality of life. Sure they were homeless, but they looked like they were fed, as opposed to how people in NK languished and starved. She noted how friendly white, black, and latino people were to her, as opposed to Korean and Vietnam refugees who seemed to not care. The scale of the US landmass was inconceivable to her. The main thing I recalled that disgusted her, was the food waste.

[@masterchinese28]

@@psilobom That is a touching story. The food waste for sure. I hope more developed countries citizens, (especially fellow Americans), can appreciate how fortunate they are. Even the homeless have it better off than many of the poor in other countries. I have never visited the DPRK, but my best comparison would be India. Some of the poverty that I witnessed there made my heart break.

[@BlackLotusNinja]

@@masterchinese28 Right?! Yes, same here! I've been living for almost 5 years in China, before COVID came. It's so so convenient here with everything! One of the best years of my life!

[@laowhy86]

This was really well done. Very interesting. Hyangsu Park was a great speaker for this topic.

[@LegacyInBlood]

Agreed! And love your videos on China!

[@laowhy86]

Thank you!@@LegacyInBlood

[@tribalationtron2872]

Hey there laowhy , surprised to see you here in the comment section. I like your content and a big fan of your KZbin channel and also like your Collab with Serpentza too ✌️

[@gallectee6032]

@@LegacyInBlood Every single video is negative though. The idea that there is nothing positive in Chin-a is ridiculous, it makes these channels seem like prop-aganda. Especially because they never present any of these things as a reaction, Chin-a is solely blamed.

[@lenitaa7938]

@@gallectee6032Search better! They do have many positive videos as they travelled to various Chinese towns and regions! I’ve watched these! 😊

[@dorayantz3649]

What a very touching story. Thank you for being brave enough to tell the story of your life to the world.

[@veronicascott313]

I'm so glad that you told their story. Sad as it is the world needs to know.

[@rebeccalatham488]

Heartbreaking. I wish you success in your efforts to honor your relatives by your work.

[@1day2dayme]

"The fatherland (or an institution) will provide everything you need." If you hear this from someone trying to talk you into joining an entity, RUN. It's such a typical cult statement.

[@Rai2M]

And THEY will decide what you need, not YOU.

[@DawnOldham]

This is heart wrenching. I can't believe a country would treat its people like this. There is no easy answer, but obviously it will take powerful countries to make the changes that are needed. 😢

[@blackknight3496]

Thanks for your story don't ever forget your family because your story is one of the stories that maybe one day we'll bring peace to lots of North Koreans like you stay strong❤

[@DreySantesson]

What a brave lady. Was a pleasure to listen to your words

[@jeffreyjosejr.medrano2224]

My heart is in deeply sadness while watching this kind of story. 😢

[@farmertice7064]

Music too loud. No music would be better.

[@candicecrawford2996]

Agreed.

[@ahmadmaulanai4843]

Nice documentary production, although wity "situation" you still deliver the best

[@anthonymanderson7671]

So sad to see that her brother was taken away never to be seen again. This gulag must be freed!

[@nascour5991]

that would start world war 3 all the world powers know it, and north korea having nuclear weapons doesn't help

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

In north Korea if a family member is found guilty the entire family is punished so it's likely they were all taken to a labor prison camp where in mid 90s there was widespread starvation.

[@Swissswoosher]

It’s concerning that the Red Cross would have “helped” these Japanese-Koreans to return to a country with no freedom and an oppressive regime.

[@notever_everytime5074]

The Red Cross has branches that can go bad; during WWII the German Red Cross helped the nazis, not the war prisoners.

[@Swissswoosher]

@@notever_everytime5074 don’t think there’s a North Korean Red Cross Also, while nominally independent the German Red Cross was put under government control, as was pretty much everything in Germany. So that’s not the red crosses fault

[@blowitoutyourcunt7675]

@@notever_everytime5074 I would argue that the Red Cross helped both sides, they were also responsible for Allied POWs getting their care packages (my great-grandfather). Just like they were some Catholics who herded the Jews with the Nazis and other Catholics who protected them... Tarring and Feathering the whole organization seems historically irresponsible of us.

[@izzyf5409]

This is heart-breaking. I pray for North Korea people to get back their freedom.

[@ALeaud]

Unfortunately, I don't think the communists will ever give up that country. :(

[@crystalgz3504]

South Korea School : *"The people of the school are bullies"* North Korea School : *"bullies? What is a bullies?"*

[@GLGL520]

Knowing how you should have been treated (equally)is a privilege.

[@TheSmokinducks]

The photo at 14.44 says it all. The attempted smile by the cousin on the left , the hopelessness of the cousin in the middle. The CRUELTY of the vile North Korean leaders and the moral vacuum of their supporters should shame and punish them in the future.

[@MisterOmega-yv3lb]

If a country doesn't allow you to freely leave that should be enough evidence that it isn't paradise

[@Griztronixx]

Thank you for sharing your story ❤

[@debl9957]

Powerful film. Thank you.

[@tigerjongreen]

Thank you for sharing this story. You have my profound condolences for what is such a terrible tragedy.

[@theonlybuzz1969]

Such a shame that people in North Korea would be tortured just because of a drunken relation says something bad about North Korea. So sad.

[@imgzrona09uc72]

A very powerful testimony by an articulate individual. She shows her Korean heritage in her stoic narration, but her humanity is always present as well. That regime cannot fail too soon, but the associated chaos will be heart rendering.

[@notA_regularStar]

Thank you for sharing your story, I hope everything in your situation gets better ❤

[@northernsoul3377]

Great story but the music is too loud. It's really distracting unfortunately.

[@edl6398]

I agree because she’s very soft spoken. This is a mistake in so many videos. Why can’t people just be allowed to speak in silence then use the music in the pauses?

[@MPG92]

WoW, this is truly one of the best documentaries I have ever watched. It has made me all the more educated, and I appreciate that enrichment. I am glad I watched this video. 💯LIKES!

[@perryspitz5923]

Hyangsu Park, you are such a beautiful person. I wish that you find relief and peace for your heart.

[@snhw_y]

Thanks for making this documentary video 🙏

[@45barjas]

What a well spoken woman on a terrible tragedy that happened I thank you sharing

[@TheSmokinducks]

The North ( severe poverty) and South ( extreme wealth ...the young enjoying the freedoms of the K-pop culture, are just absolute poles apart now. Any Reunification will be so very traumatic.

[@zAlaska]

I appreciate your pain, your story. Speak loudly.

[@emileepini2311]

Thank you Hyangsu, for sharing your story.

[@jenniferlimbu4521]

Sad about her family and many others family who live in North Korea 😢😢😢❤️❤️❤️

[@alibol2343]

So sad about what happened to your family but the moral of the story is you always need to analyse a situation. Who was paying for the school and the person financing the school is imposing their line of reasoning. The same implies in many walks of life including food advertising and reports. You always need to look who is behind the financing. So it was normal that this happened and unfortunately these Korean families did not have any other sources of information to give them another narrative.

[@paulhunter6742]

The truly disgusting part is that Japanese Government and Red Cross knew the true situation in No. Korea, but allowed people migrant there because they're not considered Japanese citizens.

[@eNYCB]

She was way too young to understand and her family probably just wanted to keep their Korean heritage in the face of discrimination from Japan. I can't blame them at all.

[@jessicaandersson4313]

This channel has another clip with her and some researchers. They found the Japanese government was verg much involved in the csmpaign to get Koreans to move to North Korea as a way to get rid of them. Theg had started with South Korea but they didn't want them so Japan developed ties to North Korea instead. Many went cause despite generations of Koreans being born in Japan theg couldn't get citizenship and was therefore excluded from large parts of Japanese society and from many jobs.

[@eNYCB]

Looks like the South Koreans did them worse than the Japanese did, South Koreans are very much to blame for this mess. There's a recent case of a Chinese of Korean descent that took a jetski across to Korea and now he's in jail hoping to get an unlikely asylum. He'll probably get sent back to China though. @@jessicaandersson4313

[@user-cd4bx6uq1y]

The world needs to hear this

[@cherllc7226]

This is incredible. Thank you

[@EugWanker]

The music drowned out the dialogue at certain points in this video.

[@aw4955]

Tragic.

[@karunahum1465]

2:24 what amazing music is this? Peace and love for all ❤🕊

[@claytonthomasnashville]

Heartbreaking

[@kayleighackers3487]

Heart Breaking. What An Amazing Woman. Sending Much ❤️❤️❤️ From 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧

[@rickylow1655]

Weird that red cross at that time repatriated the Koreans from Japan to North Korea.

[@user-vk3ko3ud3l]

Back then, it was considered a part of de-colonization or something I guess.

[@jessicaandersson4313]

Japan waa very much involved in the plan and sponsored much of it. Guess it was seen as better for them aince they were denied citizenship in Japan and very discriminated against.

[@gpablico1006]

Such tyranny, many suffered and killed. Such sadness..😢

[@Darasiemreap1]

This simply reminded of Khmer Rouge regim in Cambodia I've heard from my parents and grandparents. I cry along this story

[@Emyrtemoc]

That is so sad.

[@antoinepetrov]

And after all this, she's still smiling. What a wonderful, strong woman.

[@rainh3861]

She is a beautiful lady with a beautiful soul. Her story carries so much heartbreak and confusion. My heart goes out to her and other families out there. ♡

[@danielphelan86]

Thank you for sharing your story. I hope that you find peace and that someday you are reunited with your family. ❤

[@COVERartistLOL]

She truly is a strong , inspirational woman to endure such pain an still remain hopeful . ❤ Gid bless her 🙏

[@caroleperret499]

Moi aussi

[@veronicascott313]

This is so emotional. So awful, I feel for them.

[@dann547]

Heartbreaking story, but very well done video.

[@purplerain07]

Such a heartbreaking story 💔

[@rhatid]

Your education did let you down. It is a testimony to your decency and loyalaty to truth that we are able to hear your story. Thank you 👏👏👏

[@lainpadang8033]

So sad 😢😪... she might look feelingless while telling her story but actually also have another feeling, a hope for their return. Such mixed feelings is not easy ⅔²²⁴

[@jomr4249]

Wow this made me tear up. I hope she will see one of her family members again one day.

[@aidahoe2946]

I am afraid of what will happen to HER (interviewee) family in North Korea after this interview…😢😢😢

[@craigfazekas3923]

The ancient Egyptians believed that one dies twice: once the physical body dies & the second time ? The last time anyone on Earth speaks your name out loud. Say their names and they will at least not be gone the second time- essentially forever..... 🚬😎👍

[@davidr7819]

Very moving and so eloquently expressed. Life can be so unnecessarily difficult. North Korea is where tyranny leads. Democracy is not perfect but we must treasure it

[@djphilipj]

What a crazy story. The music in the background was way too loud tho.

[@Flicks_and_Pages]

My heart is 💔😭

[@marroonrider3193]

i cant imagine oppressing your own people so harshly.

[@fredvaladez3542]

I had never heard about the plight of N. Koreans in Japan who were induced to return to NK. It remines me of the Germans in the US that were urged to return to Germany in the 1930s and were never allowed to leave by the Nazis.

[@levimabaet1422]

This was well done 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🫶🏽 BRAVO!

[@MelissaLearns]

I'm praying that Ms. Park's message can get out and that even one of her family members sees this and can reunite with her