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National Geographic, ‘Escaping North Korea’

National Geographic’s February 2009 issue is out, and it contains an article about North Korean refugees. It’s written in the form of a narrative about three refugees — “Black,” “Red,” and “White” — and their escape through China to South Korea. “White” and “Red” survived victimization by the cross-border sex trade. After her arrival in the South, White was also diagnosed with and survived cancer.

For “Black,” the deprogramming process began with his first exposure to the truth about Kim Jong Il’s personal depravity:

Black’s faith seemed intense, and as he talked, the missionary beamed. He said that the turning point in Black’s education had come when they were in an Internet cafe. “I asked him to type in ‘Kim Jong Il personal life’ on the browser, and when stories came up of affairs and illegitimate children, I watched the light come on in his face as he realized he had been fed lies all his life.”

Stories like these have a much stronger impact on North Koreans, who are In the caption to the accompanying photo essay, Black illustrates the revolutionary power of religion:

“Though he doubts that North Korea will change its harsh policies forbidding religious worship, Black vows to return home someday, taking a Bible with him. “I will go to my village and bring God’s message,” he said. “I am willing to die if I can bring my family faith.”

You can read the entire article online here, but start with .

Some full disclosure: I was interviewed at length by the article’s researchers and, at their request, provided some Google Earth photos of three detention camps where repatriated refugees are believed to be sent. You won’t see me or this blog mentioned in the article, but I’m glad to have helped the authors tell this story.

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  3. I think I probably figured into the early stages of their research. They talked to me for a long time about where to go for a lot of other information they did quote. Some of the people I recommended they talk with (Lankov) ended up quoted. Some of the facts and figures I related are in there. They probably had a limited amount of space and cut to the bone.

  5. has anyone seen the print edition yet? it’s possible they did an accompanying side piece on detention camps, etc., that isn’t on the website.

  6. Just read that BBC article linked to by james, that is big news. Not only will it help with life in South Korean society, but any defectors who want to travel to China (eg, to meet/help family who haven’t made it safely to the South yet) will be able to do so much more safely.