North Korea jailed for 10 years defector answers questions - prison, gulag, propaganda and life.
Channel: Redditex
Date: 09/05/2020

Kang Chol-hwan is a North Korean defector and author. As a child, he was imprisoned in the Gulag Yodok concentration camp for 10 years in North Korea. After his release, he fled the country, first to China, and eventually to South Korea. 

Transcript of the video:

Q: What were some of the more extreme things you saw while in camp?
A: The most extreme thing in the camp was how desperate people were to live. And also, seeing executions, where people hung to death in public. The most normal form of execution is by shooting.
I have made friends in North Korea. However, it is very dangerous to contact them even in North Korea. Needless to say, it is even more difficult when I'm in South Korea.

Q: What kind of food did they give you to eat and what time did you have to get up and go to bed?
A: They had a very limited ration of food. As there were many cornfields, they mostly ate corn as a staple. Due to a period of malnutrition, people started turning to hunt for rats for consumption.

Q: What percentage of North Koreans don't like Kim Jong Un?
A: At first, there weren't many people who dislike them because of the lack of outside information. Also, as there are many negative connotations about Kim Jong Un. eg. Building mixed saunas and karaokes for adult entertainment.

Q: What made you question the propaganda while so many others never did?
A: External information made him question the propaganda. The truth is, as external information and content become more common in North Korea, more and more people are questioning the credibility of the regime. However, many people are uncertain of what can be done to improve in the situation.

Q: How did you escape North Korea and did you flee alone?
A: Huge respect to you, I can't think how strong people like you are.
He escaped by the river into China. With the help of some Chinese, he hid in a Chinese vessel into international waters and got saved by a Korean ship. 

Q: What memory do you cherish the most from North Korea? What memory do you wish you could forget?
A: The most cherished memory: When he was in Pyongyang and attending elementary school.

Q: Despite the horrible conditions inside of the camp, was there anything positive that gave you hope?
A: Although the camp is horrible, he feels like it gives people the will to live even when life is hard. Although it is really small, he made many friends and it seems rather close-knitted.

Q: Do you think that the average NK citizen believes that the regime has their best interest at heart?
A: Definitely not. North Korean citizens know that the regime does not have their best interest but most of them could not do anything to change their circumstances.

Q: Is it true that marijuana is legal in North Korea? Is it commonly smoked by people there?
A: Nope, it is illegal. But it is really commonly smoked and available. Also, punishment is lenient.

Q: What are your feelings about Trump getting friendly with Kim Jong-un?
A: At first, it seemed like a good thing. It feels like Kim Jong Un is more comfortable with Trump as compared to Xi Jinping.
However, Trump is now against Kim Jong Un as he failed to denuclearize as promised. Trump probably thinks that his discussions with Kim Jong Un were useful for re-election

Q: Did any of the guards look remorseful or upset by the situation they were in? Any hidden small acts of kindness or mercy?
A: As human beings, we all have feelings, and guards too will show sadness or feel fear when they do harm to another North Korean. However, it's also understandable that they are also afraid of getting punished by the regime. So, despite feeling fear, they have to nonetheless do as they're told.

Q: We only hear of bad stuff, what are the good sides of living in NK?
A: We live a simpler lifestyle and we're more close-knitted with our family. We do not have many distractions and so, we led a healthier lifestyle too. There's no night entertainment and everyone goes home early. Naturally, with this, we are able to bond with our friends and family better.
We only hear of bad stuff, what are the good sides of living in NK? If any..

Q: What did they feed people there? Did you get anything to eat or drink or did you basically live off the land?
A: In prison, we are rationed with a very limited amount of food like rice. It's not enough so we turn to eat corn and rats...otherwise, many people just suffered from malnutrition and other dietary medical problems.
I was living Pyongyang before I went to prison and Pyeongchang after, we ate normally-- rice, noodles, meat, etc.

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