Introduction
Yeonmi Park's memoir, "In Order to Live," is a powerful and heart-wrenching account of her escape from North Korea and her journey to freedom. Born into a world of oppression and hardship, Park's story sheds light on the brutal reality of life under the Kim regime and the struggles faced by North Korean defectors. This book takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, from the depths of despair to the heights of hope, as Park recounts her experiences and ultimate triumph over adversity.
Life in North Korea: A Grim Reality
The Hermit Kingdom's Facade
From birth, North Koreans are indoctrinated to believe that their country is the best in the world. The regime paints a picture of prosperity and superiority, but the reality is far from this rosy portrayal. Park's early life in North Korea reveals the stark contrast between the government's propaganda and the harsh truth of daily existence.
The Songbun System: A Society Divided
North Korean society is rigidly structured around the songbun system, which divides people into three primary castes. This system determines every aspect of a person's life, from education and job opportunities to living conditions and access to resources. Park's family belonged to a lower songbun, which meant they faced significant challenges and limitations from the outset.
Poverty and Hunger: A Daily Struggle
Life in North Korea is marked by widespread poverty and chronic food shortages. Park describes scenes of malnourished bodies on the streets, being eaten by rats – a grim testament to the dire conditions faced by many North Koreans. For Park's family and countless others, the struggle to find enough food was a constant concern.
Hyesan: Life on the Border
Park grew up in Hyesan, a town near the Chinese border that played a significant role in shaping her worldview. The harsh climate and frequent power outages made life particularly challenging. However, Hyesan's proximity to China also provided a unique perspective, offering glimpses of a world beyond North Korea's borders.
A Father's Ambition
Despite their low songbun status, Park's father, Park Jin Sik, was determined to provide a better life for his family. He built a trading business, smuggling illegal products from China into North Korea. This risky venture allowed the family to enjoy some comforts that were out of reach for many of their neighbors.
Exposure to the Outside World
Living in Hyesan also meant greater access to foreign media. Park was able to watch Chinese TV channels and get her hands on pirated Hollywood movies and South Korean soap operas. These experiences broadened her understanding of the world beyond North Korea's borders and planted the seeds of curiosity about life outside the Hermit Kingdom.
The Decision to Escape
Economic Hardship and Desperation
The introduction of state-managed marketplaces called jangmadangs dealt a blow to Park's father's business. The family's financial situation deteriorated rapidly, forcing them to survive on a single meal a day. Desperate to provide for his family, Park's father turned to an even riskier venture: smuggling precious metals.
A Father's Arrest and Imprisonment
The family's fortunes seemed to improve with the new business, but their world came crashing down when Park's father was arrested for his illegal activities. He was sentenced to ten years in a harsh prison camp, where he endured grueling labor and near-starvation conditions.
A Brief Reprieve and Declining Health
Through a bribe, Park's father managed to secure a temporary release from prison after three years. However, the toll of his imprisonment was evident in his severely deteriorated health. Unable to continue supporting the family, their situation became increasingly desperate.
The Plan to Escape
Faced with mounting hardships, Park's parents made the difficult decision to escape North Korea. They planned to cross the Yalu River into China, find work, and build a new life away from the oppressive regime.
A Family Separated
The family's escape plans were complicated when Park fell ill and required surgery. Her older sister, Eunmi, unable to wait any longer, crossed into China on her own. This unexpected turn of events left the family separated, with Park and her mother determined to follow Eunmi to China.
The Perilous Journey to China
Crossing the Border
With the help of a broker, Park and her mother finally crossed the Yalu River into China. The moment marked their first taste of freedom, but little did they know that their ordeal was far from over.
The Dark Reality of Human Trafficking
Upon reaching China, Park and her mother quickly discovered the harsh reality facing North Korean defectors. The broker who helped them cross the border was part of a human trafficking network that sold North Korean women as brides to Chinese men.
Exploitation and Abuse
The human trafficking system subjected women to sexual abuse at the hands of multiple brokers before selling them to often cruel and abusive husbands. Park, despite being only 13 years old, was not spared from this horrific treatment.
The Dilemma of Illegal Status
North Korean defectors in China faced a cruel dilemma. They were considered illegal migrants with no rights or protections. The constant fear of being discovered and repatriated to North Korea, where they would face severe punishment or execution, forced many to endure the horrors of trafficking rather than risk returning.
Yeonmi's Sacrifice
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Park found herself in the hands of Hongwei, a powerful figure in the human trafficking network. To secure her mother's safety and the possibility of reuniting with her family, Park made the agonizing decision to become Hongwei's "little wife."
Working Within the System
To survive, Park began assisting Hongwei in his human trafficking business. She acted as a translator for other North Korean women, taught them basic hygiene, and accompanied Hongwei as he sold girls in rural areas. This experience gave her a deep and disturbing insight into the extent of the trafficking network.
A Bittersweet Reunion
Hongwei kept his promise to help Park's family. He managed to reunite her with her parents, but tragically, her sister Eunmi remained missing. The joy of reunion was short-lived, as Park's father's health rapidly declined due to cancer, and he passed away shortly after arriving in China.
Survival in China
Economic Hardship and New Opportunities
With Hongwei's business facing difficulties due to increased government crackdowns on North Korean migrants, Park and her mother once again found themselves struggling to survive. A chance encounter with a friend, Myung Ok, led them to a new opportunity in Shenyang.
The World of Online Sex Work
In Shenyang, Park and her mother were introduced to the world of adult chat rooms. They worked as online sex workers, talking to strangers for hours to make money. While this provided some financial stability, they still lived in constant fear of being discovered and repatriated.
The Dream of South Korea
Park's life took a turn when she met Hae Soon, another North Korean defector who told them about the possibility of escaping to South Korea via Mongolia. The prospect of true freedom and citizenship in South Korea rekindled Park's hope for a better future.
The Dangerous Journey Through the Gobi Desert
With the help of a Christian missionary team, Park, her mother, and a group of fellow North Korean defectors embarked on a perilous journey through the Gobi Desert. The risk of capture by Chinese border patrols was high, but the promise of freedom in South Korea made the danger worthwhile.
A New Life in South Korea
Arrival and Initial Processing
After successfully reaching Mongolia, Park and her group were flown to Seoul by the South Korean embassy. Their arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter, but they first had to undergo processing at the National Intelligence Center to verify their status as genuine defectors.
Adjusting to a New Society
Park and her mother were transferred to the Hanawon Resettlement Center, where they began the challenging process of adapting to life in South Korea. They were introduced to concepts like banking, the English language, and received eye-opening lessons about the true nature of the North Korean regime.
Facing Discrimination and Challenges
Upon settling in Asan, a city south of Seoul, Park and her mother encountered discrimination and struggled to integrate into South Korean society. Despite these challenges, they were determined to make the most of their new lives and the opportunities before them.
Pursuing Education and Personal Growth
Park threw herself into her studies, determined to prove her worth in her new home. She passed her high school equivalency exam and gained admission to the prestigious Dongguk University, choosing to study police administration with the goal of joining the national police agency.
Exploring the World and Finding Purpose
Taking a break from her studies, Park joined a Christian youth group from Texas, USA, for a volunteer program. This experience allowed her to see more of the world and repay the kindness shown by the Christian missionaries who had helped her escape China.
Family Reunited
Park's journey came full circle when she received news that her long-lost sister, Eunmi, had finally made it to South Korea. The family's reunion brought a sense of closure and peace to Park's tumultuous journey.
Becoming an Advocate for Human Rights
Finding Her Voice
Park's path took an unexpected turn when she was invited to give a speech at a school in Seoul. This opportunity sparked a new passion for advocacy, as she realized the power of her voice in raising awareness about the plight of North Koreans.
Speaking on the Global Stage
As Park's English skills improved, she found herself in high demand as a speaker. The United Nations sought English-speaking defectors to testify about human rights abuses in North Korea, and Park answered the call. She traveled the world, giving interviews, speeches, and participating in summits to shed light on the situation in her homeland.
Facing Threats and Propaganda
Park's outspoken advocacy drew the attention of the North Korean government, which launched a propaganda campaign to discredit her. Despite facing serious threats, Park remained committed to speaking out about the harsh realities of life in North Korea.
A Voice for the Voiceless
Through her experiences and her willingness to share her story, Park has become a powerful advocate for North Korean defectors and those still trapped within the country's borders. Her memoir serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a call to action for the international community.
Reflections on Freedom and Identity
The Meaning of True Freedom
Park's journey from the oppressive regime of North Korea to the freedoms of South Korea and beyond has given her a unique perspective on the meaning of liberty. She reflects on the stark contrasts between her past and present, appreciating the simple freedoms that many take for granted.
Grappling with Cultural Identity
As a North Korean defector living in South Korea, Park has had to navigate complex issues of cultural identity. She describes the challenges of reconciling her North Korean upbringing with her new life in the South, and how this struggle has shaped her sense of self.
The Power of Education and Information
Throughout her memoir, Park emphasizes the transformative power of education and access to information. She credits her exposure to foreign media in Hyesan and her pursuit of education in South Korea as key factors in broadening her worldview and empowering her to make positive changes in her life.
The Importance of Human Rights
Park's experiences have made her a passionate advocate for human rights. She stresses the need for the international community to take action against the abuses occurring in North Korea and to support those who manage to escape.
Hope for the Future
Despite the trauma and hardships she has endured, Park maintains a sense of hope for the future. She believes in the potential for positive change in North Korea and works tirelessly to raise awareness and inspire action.
Conclusion
Yeonmi Park's memoir, "In Order to Live," is a powerful testament to the human spirit's capacity to endure and overcome even the most harrowing circumstances. Her journey from a life of oppression in North Korea to becoming a voice for human rights on the global stage is both inspiring and sobering.
Park's story sheds light on the grim realities of life under the Kim regime, the dangers faced by defectors, and the complex challenges of adapting to life in a new country. Through her experiences, readers gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing human rights crisis in North Korea and the urgent need for international action.
More than just a tale of survival, Park's memoir is a call to action. It challenges readers to consider their own freedoms and to stand up for those who are denied basic human rights. Her courage in sharing her story and advocating for change serves as an inspiration to all who read her words.
As Park continues her work as a human rights activist, her story remains a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of never giving up in the face of adversity. "In Order to Live" is not just a personal account of one woman's journey to freedom; it is a testament to the power of hope, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of a better life.