Wow, your grandfather?!?! That's frightening to know how long NK's have had to escape from such a country. NK defectors are very special. I'd love to see them travel more internationally to tell the truth about the totalitarian regime, but at the same time, they have every right to live out a peaceful existence in whichever way they want. I guess social media has to suffice for the truth seekers and truth speakers who don't have facilities or inclinations to do international tours.
Oh wow... We have a NK defector descendant in India. I didn't know that. Yayy! I am so happy. Please share more about your Grandfather's experience, if you are okay with it. I am glad he was able to defect NK.
Is your grandfather still alive? Please tell him he is totally badass. And if you can, help him write his story. I read all the books I can about North Koreans escaping and I always send them positive and encouraging energy.
Why would you feel lucky for being born in the US? Your healthcare is basically nonexistent unless you are a millionaire or are willing to put yourself in a lifetime of debt just to get a splinter pulled out.
@@allieniner675 I don't live there but as far as I know people who work legally, have insurance. The system is messed up because Americans rejected big government and high taxes, but I wouldn't think that you would trade US healthcare to any communist country's, because their universal healthcare is very basic. In the USSR healthcare was on the level of a WWI field hospital, no often anesthesia etc. (dentists definitely didn't use anesthesics). Most doctors were basically medics. Yeah NK is an extreme of the "commie" spectrum (the other end is US Democrats), the worst of the worst, NK is like the entire world would look like had the communist world revolution succeeded.
I'm glad I don't live in the US, as someone who has developed chronic illnesses. I've gone from being a pro athlete to having disabilities, and I'm on lots of medication now. I'd literally be broke trying to pay for meds and hospital treatment, plus some that I'm on have been BANNED in many states due to drug issues/addictions. I know people in the US who are struggling in pain because they've been taken off the meds they rightfully need. Many with mental illnesses are left on the streets because they have no medical insurance. I don't call that a forward thinking society at all 😔
This breaks my heart. My son has a mental disability and I am so grateful we live in the U.S.A. He has received so much help. Everyone deserves help. This is literally making me cry 😭
As someone with dwarfism that is such a scary thing to think about. Yeonmi, dwarfism is caused through genetic mutations and is random. I never knew how bad the situation there was before seeing your videos. Please keep doing what you are doing!
Yes it does I learned what the phrase never again means from my father when I was 15 years old! My father's family was in Auschwitz they were lucky to survive because they were essential workers!
North Korea is not a real society. It's more of a company with many slaves making money for their owners. You can't expect companies to also run a free care facility for disabled people.
This is a precursor of the inflock of north korean refugees.... this pussy is intiving the north koreans to flee and run into south korea znd north korea! Totally lie! This woman is a CIA AGENT.... in the end she will bring more refugees into USA
@@nanonood2261 She's not inviting anyone, given how much restrictions and punishments have increased for attempts to defect. Most North Korean defectors don't go to the US. Why would she be a CIA agent? What makes you think she's lying? Especially since most defectors have very similar stories about how culture and government work in North Korea.
As a disabled person I apperciate this episode, it saddens me that even in today's time we are treated less than dogs in some other countries. Although, North Korea in general treats it's people's lives to be worth less than animals. Like you say North Korea is one big concentration camp. Even in America, while there have been a great more opptunities and care for the disabled, of which I am grateful for, we are still met with stigma and hate crimes aginst the disabled. Stay strong an thanks for sharing the endless info on North Korea even though it's heartbreaking.
Its all about survival of the fittest, animals leave disabled members to die. We are animals and it is instinct, its just that humans have another layer called compassion, empathy and sympathy(not all people possess this as evident by this video) that blocks these instincts from action. "They are weak, they would die anyway, why waist resources on hopeless cases?" Is just their instincts getting through the blocks(or lack of). Back in the day(50.000 years ago) our instincts kept us alive but today in the developed world many of them arent needed anymore however for tribes or third world countries who doesnt have enough resources you see them come out more often. If you were a super poor country would you put the little money/food you have on people who cant work or give these resources to people who can make more? That is the logic many of these countries go by, when theres not enough for everyone you prioritize those who will give you the most value. That has always been the case, it might hurt, it does sucks and its awfull but its true
@@NJHS92 1/3 In the Nazi camps, the prisoners would take things from the corpses of their own people, stealing whatever clothes and food that they could, survival instinct as it's darkest. I've also heard Jew survivors saying how they were helped, but they wouldnt know if they would help others had they'd been in the same position to help. The things we would do as humans to survive
@@NJHS92 2/3. You are telling me no news that the disabled/the weak have always been treated a certain way for the longest time. As they say the truth hurts, it shouldn't be true, but it is. Plus, in surpersticious countries they think disabled people are a curse and what better way to get rid of a curse then killing them off, especially as babies. Like she thought after that the kid with Downs was cursed or something, it's just a common thought in those type of situations, especially when they know nothing of science.
@@NJHS92 3/3 But even in the modern world there is Crimes/murders against the disabled, crimes like what happened to Peggy Lynn Johnson, Vera Jo, Gemma Hayter, Lee Irving, the The Sagamihara stabbings/killings. These people were targeted and killed because of their disability. And what is also happening in North Korea with their treatment of people general is not instinct or survival, its murder, an excuse to torture. We should be better than the animal mindset of leave the ‘weak’ being behind, no excuse. I say fuck that mind set. Excuse the cussing, but I thought it fitting.
Girl, don't you worry about the "appropriate" term, people are way too sensitive these days anyway, even when there's no reason to get offended. You just keep being the voice you are, you're doing such a great job at it. And whoever wants to take anything else from your work, that's on them not you. Blessings from Romania🤗
People aren't more sensitive, they're emotionally literate and don't take shit. Learn your place if you're privileged, and leave people defend themselves.
@@nachoband1622 Grow up and realize how privileged you are to whinge incessantly about such inanities in the comment section of a NORTH KOREAN DEFECTOR. "Don't take shit" translates to "throw a hissy fit to get your way because you're an adult baby with no discipline and has never experienced true hardship in your cozy existence." The sheer temerity to pull this bullshit here of all places. You give the West a bad name.
Ohh my God!! To take a disabled baby to some facility for experiment?!😮😮😮😮 So shocking to say the least. That’s heartbreaking. I’m in tears literally. Ohh my!! This regime should be stopped.
You should take 99% of what Y. Park is saying with at least a pinch of salt.Why do North Korea send disabled to Paralympics? I also suggest you watch YTvideo."Life of disabled children in North Korea".
@@EclecticallyEccentricAccording to WHO,North Koreas health care system is "the envy of the developing world". They have free healt care, free education, free housing, and pay no tax.Also,there are institutions for disabled children in Pyongyang.
@@EclecticallyEccentric I can also add to the list 180 day maternity leave, building of schools, building of dwelling houses in hurricane hit areas,50000 flats built in Pyongyang, tideland reclamation, stop smoking campains...not bad for a country that is hit by US sanctions and"that doesn't care"and"can't even provide" for it's own people.
I've NEVER felt more grateful to live as an American! I have been binge watching all your videos. Thank you for being so brave, to not only escape your homeland, but sharing your insights with all of us.
I’ve done a lot of projects on holocaust throughout my school years and the more I learn about North Korea, the more I realize the country is one big concentration camp. 💔
Have you ever been to the Holocaust Museum? If not, and you're into learning about it - I highly recommend it. And then when you're done, head down to The Hamilton for a pitcher or 2 of white peach sangria because you're gonna need it after all that...
Holy cow! This is more horrifying than I imagined! It breaks my heart. :-( It's shocking that the most common causes of death are things that are so easily treated in most of the world.
@Almost Censored That's only for the mentally disabled that commit crimes. Those who don't can usually find homes designed for the disabled. My uncle lived in a few of them before he passed, and he had downs syndrome and was in a wheel chair.
@@Mechaghostman2 Where do you live? I’m not being sarcastic I’m serious. My state is beyond broke and you can see it in the so-called group homes and the few mental health facilities we have left. Shit is horrible.
@@waitwhat1029 I was in Michigan. There's mentally challenged to the point where you can still talk and cook and stuff but not work and pay bills, then there's mentally challenged to the point where you can't even speak or do basic things. The former usually seem taken care of well enough, as it's easy to get them apartments with section 8 housing and the such like. The latter though, those guys are the ones in group homes that are sometimes run by the state, but often times not. I don't have much experience with the latter, but the former seem to have it made here.
Hi Yeonmi. This is so much worse than I imagined. I figured that people with disabilities might be isolated and without opportunities to be independent, but using disabled children for chemical weapons experiments is truly shocking and horrible. I wish their was an organization that could help get disabled people out of the country, but from watching your other videos it seems that defection is nearly impossible at this point. I'm so glad you've had the chance to learn about accessibility in public places and that you have learned that even though people may have a disability, they can still live a meaningful life. I am a totally blind person and this video makes me feel so grateful that blind people have the opportunity to be fulfilled and productive citizens in the free world. I would love to help a blind person in North Korea understand what is truly possible when you have the skills to overcome your disability and when society gives you the opportunity to succeed. Thank you for all of your hard work making these videos.
Hey, could you explain how you write comments? I know that you can dictate the words, but I think that's unreliable because often the programme understands words wrongly. I think there are other ways to type, like pressing a button and hearing out loud what button it is, but I don't know the details. If you don't mind, it would be really cool if you could tell me, and I hope my comment doesn't seem rude!
@@solar0wind no problem at all. I actually use a keyboard on my iphone called FlickType. Basically how it works is you tap on the screen where you think the letters might be. When you're done typing, swipe right and FlickType creates a word suggestion list based on what you type. If you don't want the word you chose, swipe down and you'll get more choices. This app was designed specifically with blind people in mind. It works great with voiceover. I use dictation on occasion, but I prefer typing on screen. I can also use the regular keyboard with VoiceOver, but FlickType is faster. If you use the regular iOS keyboard, you have to find the letter you want and lift your finger for it to enter the character. If you're really new to typing you can have it set to where you need to double tap each letter in order to type it. I hope this was helpful.
As a disabled woman I want to skip this video because I'm sure it will be extra disturbing but as a disability rights activist I know I need to watch it. Also thank you for being cognizant of your language prior to ever even diving in to this video! ❤❤❤❤❤👩🦽🦮 Edit. You actually did better with most of your phrasing than a lot of native English speakers do. Disabled typically is preferred over the term Handicapped, Molly Burke has some great videos on that, and instead of normal able bodied or non-disabled is preferable. Overall great job on your phrasing and treating Disabled people like people when talking about this topic! ❤
I'm not a fan of being called disabled myself, literally means can't do it and that may be sometimes true but many times I just have to use another method. Also folks with a small disability are still considered disabled which makes people wonder if they're just faking it. At least it's not 'InVALID' that right there is the worse. I know I'm too literal lol.
My disability is arthritis/disc disease and I walk a little strangely because of it. I can’t speak for anyone else but I call myself crippled! I can’t face it any other way than with humor. Laughter = best medicine!
@@cooperhilinsky6361 I don't generally think of myself as disabled but technically I am and recently learned I qualify for at least partial disability & that I qualify to get a handicapped sticker for my car but I keep forgetting right up until it's a particularly busy day at one of the grocery stores and I end up having to park far af and then stumble my way to the entrance like a drunk person, in the FL heat. I have arthritis as well, moderate scoliosis, and the biggest bitch of my 3 main diseases: Multiple Sclerosis. My MS was so quiet and focused on just like 3 symptoms that it went undiagnosed for what my doctor believes to have been 3-4 years according to the onset of my symptoms. However because I already had the arthritis diagnosis, 2 of the MS symptoms that I was having at the time I thought were due to my arthritis, and then I thought I had just developed a weird bladder & had to pee all the time yet still feel like I had to pee after I would pee. Then about 2 years ago my feet went numb & within 5-7 days, it was number all the way up to the start of my thigh & it stayed that way for a month & one side for almost 3 months. MS was one of the only things I hadn't been tested for so I was sent to my current MS Neurologist & after a brain scan showing tiny lil lesions, a middle back MRI that showed 2 larger lesions, and a spinal tap that showed me having over twice of the normal amt of inflammation in my blood...sure enough, it was MS. Apparently most ppl get the extremity numbness & weird vision stuff as their first symptoms which makes an early diagnosis easier, but my body already being a jackass riddled with arthritis, scoliosis, and some less important but equally obnoxious GI issues, of course it decided that the numbness and vision stuff didn't pop up for years and so I wasn't diagnosed until I was 26 but my doc says according to my symptoms I probably have had it since I was at least 23. Once the numbness & vision stuff started & I then got my diagnosis, it started progressing much faster though. Now my fatigue is the fatigue to rival all fatigues, I see what look like colorful little sun spots a lot of the time, my balance gets all screwy so I run into stuff & ALMOST fall over a lot, my once freakishly perfect memory is going to shit by which I still have all of the creepy detailed memory from before the age of like 22 but my short term memory is so bad that on my way to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester a few months back, I was checking a bag & my mom was standing with me & as we walked away she let me know that I had told the girl working the baggage counter that I liked her nails twice in all of a 90 second conversation it was hella embarrassing. I already had muscle spasms before since I was like 16 that my GP used to have me on Soma for and it worked great but with the MS, the spasms are SOOO much worse and bcz of some of my other meds, I can't have Soma anymore. They put me on tizanidine but all it does is help stop the...what I used to call 'mini seizures' but my fam was freaked out by the term so I switched it to 'episodes,' but basically every now and then still, I will get muscle spasms all over one side of my body & then that side of the body twitches & shakes & stiffens for like 5-75 seconds & then i'm good but it sucks bcz it makes my body super sore. As i'm sure you know from your arthritis though, pain is the main culprit. Now that I have (hopefully) all of my diagnosis I can differentiate between the types of pain but before when I just knew about the arthritis I would be so confused & so would previous doctors bcz under the describe your pain section, I would have to circle like everything lol. Got that dull, stiff, achey, swollen type pain in all my joints from my arthritis, shooting nerve pain that just pops up wherever it feels like & then radiates to other parts of the body, then there's the pain when my hands & feet get cold numbness especially if I then try to shower, and then I have my stabbing, burning, ripping feeling in my lower back from my disc issue & some other damage that I have from a hiking accident years ago that was reinjured in a car accident about 3 years ago. Oh and ofc bcz I have both arthritis & MS, finding a medicine to treat the diseases is annoyingly complex bcz I can't take two biologicals due to how hard they are on the body & how immunosuppressed they make you. Finally found Mavenclad which is one of the several meds to treat both & was hopeful since it was essentially low dose chemo in pill form, I figured something that strong would have to work, but nopeee. Though the week long med cycles were meant to be taken a month apart exactly so it definitely didn't help that somehow my insurance fcked up on the 2nd dose pack & I didn't get it for 3 months. As of now my MS just continues to progress & i'm stuck combining holistic treatments with western medication so that I can keep my symptoms somewhat under control and live like 30% of the quality of life that I would have if I were healthy. Sorry that just turned into a giant rant, I wouldn't blame you at all for not reading the whole thing...I am currently in "FB jail" for 30 days bcz one of my posts went against their "community standards" and so for whatever reason, like a normal day's worth/length of writing when i'm on FB, has transferred over into super long youtube comments & instagram posts but this one is by far the longest. Also I agree that humor & laughter are the best way to deal with everything, especially since some days if I didn't laugh about or at least apply my super sarcastic humor to my situation, I would literally go insane. Especially bcz what Pdragy up there said about 'minor disabilities' definitely struck a nerve...I am 27 but look 19 in the face, i'm maybe 10 lbs overweight thanks to a side effect of damn Gabapentin so am now a size 8, i'm a little pail especially for a FL gurl bcz being in the sun for long periods of time is bad for my MS, but besides that I very much look like a normal 20 something that leads to me getting questioned & doubted about the seriousness of my health issues, and not just by ignorant associates or random dude tryna shoot their shot, i've even had medical 'professionals' like radiologists, anesthesiologists, and pharmacists all be condescending af. Even the good doctors that I go to/have been to almost always either have a nurse that says some variation of "WOW! You are way too young to have all these health issues...*insert personalized story about their daughter, niece, neighbor, basically just whoever the closest female is to them in their life that is near my age & how they just couldn't IMAGINE if their daughter, niece, neighbor etc had to deal with this* aww, bless your heart." I know at least those women mean well but it's like yes, yes I know that I don't look like what most ppl expect a sick person to look like thanks to unrealistic reflections of chronically ill ppl on TV but you would think a damn healthcare worker would know that we come in all shapes, sizes, ages, etc. and that I don't necessarily want to hear about their loved one who is my age and able to live a normal life. Anyways I have digressed so much at this point that I better just stop typing, as there is no way anyone will take the time out to read this lol, but lastly, thank god I was not born in NK!!! I mean I can still walk now & could prob fake it but i'd be suffering & wanting to die every day & then bcz of how hard North Koreans are forced to work, i'd probably lose my ability to walk by like 30 instead of the estimated 45ish. Yikes! North Korea really is hell on earth
Very heart breaking. Let's all pray for the freedom of the North Korean people. Everyone deserves to be free. God bless you for talking about this to the world.
There are two things that I want before I die, •Peace in North Korea •your book Without you I wouldnt have even cared about what was happening in North Korea. My final school project for the semester is to make a show. I decided to take a good advantage of all the information I have gotten from you. I was asked lots of questions and I always answered with "Just watch Yeonmi Park, she's taught me everything I know" I've been studying North Korea for what feels like years when it's only been a few months. It breaks my heart to see North Korean citizens being treated this way, they deserve happiness. I pray for North Korea every night. I hope this can all end for them soon
A really good book to read is called The Tears Of My Soul. It's a true story, written by a North Korean woman who was forced to be a spy & to detonate a bomb on a South Korean commercial jet. The bomb didn't detonate, & she was caught, with her partner, who committed suicide. I read it many years ago, & it has always stuck with me. I forget the authors name, but a quick Google search will determine who wrote it, if you're interested. God bless you ❤
based on some of the things you have said about the younger generation it sounds like there is some growing distrust of The Kim Dynasty, I hope it grows to the point that they suffer the same fate as Romania's Ceaușescus
It is discrimination in North Korea that causes so much suffering, pain and death. HAVE YOU NOT BEEN LISTENING TO WHAT YEOMNI'S BEEN TELLING US? Discrimination between black and white, rich and poor, old and young that fills the world with hate and death. Please don't discriminate. 😔
@@MovingOndaisy How awesome is it that this little tiny North Korean girl is becoming such a force to be reckoned with? I love it. I literally love it every single day 💪 and as far as immigration to America... All y'all welcome! Come sit by me 🥰 you can ALWAYS sit by me!
Hi Yeonmi. I am a korean-american woman with dwarfism so this video was very heartbreaking for me. Thank you for shedding light on this topic of disabilities and dprk abd mostly, thank you for all the work you do. We appreciate you.
I’m so disgusted and so infuriated with all of this…… it’s heartbreaking……there are not enough words nor time for most of us to even begin to voice our thoughts and/or opinions…… EVIL doesn’t even begin to describe what that atrocious monster is……
@@annw1984 I am genuinely curious, why the heck is Trump supported? Because he just seems, from a non-American perspective, an absolute bellend and someone who doesn't think. Like some of his policies work only on a micro (business) level, which makes sense as he's a business person (though how did he get a casino to go bankrupt ??), but not on a macro level economics wise. He also denounces immigrants when 1) his grandparents were from Germany 2) Melania isn't American 3) walls don't work please see Berlin Wall and other walls they come down eventually. He's ok with immigrants as long as they are white basically. And that whole thing with getting people to perform an act of terrorism on the white house (where Children were with their parents) because he was throwing a Presidential tantrum over not being the president anymore. Also, I'm personally offended by him because I'm autistic and he's said some very nasty things about people like me. And just generally seems to be unpleasant towards anyone who dares to not fit a particular type. Like if you have a disability, you happen to not be white etc. So I genuinely don't get the support for him and the anti democrates party, who personally to me seem like the lesser of two evils. For more perspective, Australia's political landscape isn't great either (Peter Dutton aka Voldemort's love child is a great/bad example of this). Prime Minister is an idiot who for some reason seems to be struggling with the concept of women being people/having feelings at the moment so that's fun.
Thank you for what you're doing, Yeonmi. As someone who's near-blind myself, I can't think what it must be like for those poor souls in North Korea - they've done nothing to merit such cruelty. This was very distressing to watch. Please be careful, and do refrain from sharing personal information, especially about your son/partner/whereabouts: the less we know, the better. Greetings to you & yours from India!
I love that you’re being considerate with your wording. This is an awful thing to speak about and you’re still considering how words might affect someone. Ignoring the language barrier something this intense is hard to talk about but I commend you for sharing this and spreading awareness
I'm new to the channel and have been binge watching your videos all day ❤️ I've always been interested in North Korea and I've wondered how such a place can exist in this century. Your videos have been so educational and you've answered so many of the questions I've had as well as corrected some of the misunderstandings. I'm so sorry for the suffering you along with your family have had to endure. You're truly an inspiration and your work is highly appriciated! 👏 Is there any way to help you, in the work you do? I would love to spread awareness about the treatment of North Koreans.
As a person living in America dealing with chronic mental illness I do not mind the language you've used in this video at all. Some people might take offense, but those people will be unable to respect the language barrier or the cultural difference. I love your work, thank you so much for spreading awareness.
Thank you for this video. I've had problems with arthritic and degenerative disease since I was a kid, but I kept it together and worked in everything from construction to nursing , was married and had four kids until I was 44 years old and them I could hardly walk and had to go on disability. Now I've got heart and liver problems from the medication and have to use a walker and wheelchair to get around and will be dead within five years but I watched your videos and I often wanted to know what happened to disabled people in North Korea. I complain but at least I get a check and have a roof over my head and people in America are kind and help me. My family came from Communist Czechoslovakia and disabled people there were pushed away and hidden but they were at least taken care of. But even there, they were put away. It was nothing like North Korea though. Thank you for your videos. I have liked watching them. Also, you didn't say anything offensive about disabled people. I make fun of myself and call myself a crip all the time. The termanoligy doesn't bother me.
Nobody was dying from hanger and there were no conc. camps in former communist countries. Situation was heavens better. Now, situation in North Korea reminds me times from 30's in Uklraine deuring famine , hunger times when bolsheviks killed millions of people.
Yeonmi please explain just how the regime started in North Korea. I know there was a Korean war and some Australians fought there. Details are not really talked about. Seems to me the regime is more a Dynasty and Korean people are in slavery. Kim family reap massive rewards while people work for virtually nothing in return. In all this mess, i would imagine that no one trusts each other therefore any recreation would not take place
Basically, after WW2 the Korean peninsula was divided along the 38th parallel. Wanting to reunite the country, the north invaded the south. Primarily the US, but others as well was like "no way in hell are we gonna allow the entire country to be communist" and intervened. When the war went good for the south, the Chinese was like "no way in hell are we gonna allow the entire country to be a capitalist, US supported pain in the ass right on our doorstep". The Chinese openly intervened, the Soviets, fearing it could escalate into WW3, intervened in secret, but that's for another post. And things just went to hell from there. But that's the gist of it. :)
There is no words for all of this. No human being should ever be treated like this. Sounds just like dr. Menegele human experimentation using torture and chemicals on his subjects during holocaust.
as someone who is disabled, thank you for making this video. i’ve been curious. i know in canada where i am in fact free, is still very much a struggle. i couldn’t imagine being the way i am. thank you for clarifying the language barrier too! we preferred being called disabled. it’s really scary. especially that they NEED more support than average citizen. i’m so glad you’ve escaped. all i can do is pray for them 💕💕 sending love yeonmi
Thank you for such an insightful video on a really horrific disability culture in NK, Yeonmi! Harrowing for me to hear. But I always love your videos 😇
As a blind person hearing what disabled people go through in North Korea is heart breaking. Thank you for educating us Yeomni and thank you for being sensitive to using disability inclusive language. Disabled people/people with disabilities have been hidden away and oppressed for far too long throughout the world and using language that is accepted by the disability community is important for ensuring our equal treatment in society.
There exists physical evidence that (at least some) prehistoric human societies took care of frail and disabled people. Evidence to show that they were fed well, protected from predators and danger, carried if they couldn't walk, and buried with respect after death. They weren't just snuffed out as an inconvenience. Thousands of years later, and still we have holocausts of the disabled. On top of the obvious horror, it says something so deeply sad about humanity.
we love you so much thank you for being you greetings from India the feeling of being hopeless is worst because of that cruel manipulator all things come to an end, so will this regime
I think the whole world could unite on this matter, if wasn't for China or possibly Russia, heck, i even think Putin would be on our side, i just think China is using NK as a "shield" from western influence.
You have a beautiful soul, Yeonmi. You could have grown up to be uncompassionate to others because the of society you were raised in, but your heart is so kind. God bless you.
Yeonmi, your speaking out is making a real difference. I pray for the liberation of the North Korean people. When Nesara/Gesara is rolled out, we will all be free. Many will need healing. This is God's plan. We are living through an AMAZING change. God has us. Bless you. ❤
I love your mission and everything that you stand for, you are a true voice for your people, who I really believe, more than anyone in the world right now, needs a voice. Thank you so much for sharing, I genuinely hope that everyone listens to your videos and that one day your people will be truly free, thank you so much for sharing, and I really hope that your message spreads across the world, you are an amazing human being ❤😊❤😊 stay strong and keep fighting hun, you are loved and right in every way!!❤😊❤😊
I find it strange that your videos get so many views and a disproportionately low number of likes. Is it NK intelligence watching and are you concerned about your safety? What you do in educating us about the horror of the Kim regime is so incredibly powerful, your words are weapons that they have no defence against. I hope that you are safe and protected in your new home, you are an extraordinary individual.
Yeonmi, I understand that a lot of terrible things happen to the people of North Korea, could you make a video of any fun things that you did growing up? ❤️
I think that a topic like this is extremely taboo. I’m almost an adult and it’s very taboo for my family to talk about my disabilities, especially my declining mental health, and the fact that my family is very perfectionist and controlling doesn’t help. So when I her People like you and Yeonmi talk about this I feel comforted, because I know things will get better :)
Yeonmi asking for forgiveness in case she said any offensive words before even starting to speak is what true politeness looks like! I love it! In my case I don't mind the words "disabled, handicap, etc" The only word I personally find disrespectful is "crippled"
@@user-pm3uh3vb8j Blind people can watch videos too. We listen to them. We use screen readers to interact with our phones and computers, which helps us do things like post on Facebook, Twitter, and comment on this TH-cam video.
I watched a documentary on a young man who escaped from a concentration camp. The pictures he drew still haunt me today - little babies being tortured for the "crimes" of their families, young girls being forced to perform certain unthinkable acts on their captors, people having to eat bugs off the ground. His arms were disfigured, I assume from repeatedly being hung by his arms behind his back, repeatedly and for long periods of time. The depravity of this regime is unthinkable. I'm getting old and this had been going on far too long.
I love your videos and the awareness you bring about N. Korea. Can you make a day/week in the life of yeonmi now? It would be interesting to see how you adjusted to life in N. America. Thank you :)
This is so sad and so wrong! Thank you so sharing and I pray you will have much success and many blessings! I am praying and open to helping!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻♥️♥️♥️
Don't worry Yeonmi, If Korean people can forgive my western self for speaking to an Elder in a the casual context and just be happy I'm learning their language, we can show you the same courtesy. I have been listening to you speak since you've defected and first stood up to the regime by speaking your truth, even in subtitles, and one thing is very clear. You have an enormous heart, full of empathy and compassion. Anyone who jumps on you for impolite terms, knowing this is what? your third language (Im imagining you had to learn Mandrn) and attacks u instead of compassionately teaching u the correct term should themselves, learn to speak more politely. After they have done that, they can come back and tell us all how many languages they speak fluently. BTW the correct term for someone with various forms of dwarfism is either 'Little Person'. Although, maybe I am even wrong. This is the latest term I know. I am sure you have had to hear all sorts of ignorance said toward you out of well meaning mouths from the free world who didn't know something about NK. You have a wonderful heart and are always so concerned with how other people feel. We love you Yeonmi! This may sound impolite but I assure you its a big compliment. You have balls of steel!!!
I admire you so much. Please be careful. I don't trust that man Kim whatever his name is. I pray that you are well guarded. Don't let North Korea near you. Watch all your surroundings. What you do with your channel is amazing. With every video you're making a difference. I know your mother, sister and step father are very very very proud of you. Happy New Year and God bless you 💟🎉🎊🎇🎆
Hi Yeonmi! I was wondering, what was life like before the 3 leaders? Who was the leader prior to Sung? Also, how do children entertain themselves? what kind of toys or games did you play ^^ thanks for all the info, i hope for a better and healthy North Korea!
The Korean peninsula (modern day North and South Korea) was a colony of Japan 1910 - 1945. It was under Japanese influence from 1876 and prior to that an independent kingdom from 1392 (although under frequent attack / occupation by Japanese and Manchurians). A quick summary: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseon
I admit I have not watched all of it yet, but I have heard that in much of Asia the handicapped are looked down on. So sad. You have nothing to apologies for, your heart is always in the right place. edit. Congratulations on getting over 300 Patreon's. I wish you many more.
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"Sending people to concentration camps" is North Korea's solution to most problems.
Do you know that a USA demorat proposed rounding up republicans and putting them in "reeducation" camps?
Out of sight, out of mind I suppose.
Starting in Germany re-education camps. Look it up.
@@debdebcastillo6600 You mean the German Reich, don't you? Nowadays Germany doesn't have re-education camps.
Or killing them
My grandfather Escape from north korea and now we live in Nagaland India , ❤️
Wow, your grandfather?!?!
That's frightening to know how long NK's have had to escape from such a country.
NK defectors are very special. I'd love to see them travel more internationally to tell the truth about the totalitarian regime, but at the same time, they have every right to live out a peaceful existence in whichever way they want. I guess social media has to suffice for the truth seekers and truth speakers who don't have facilities or inclinations to do international tours.
Oh wow... We have a NK defector descendant in India. I didn't know that. Yayy! I am so happy. Please share more about your Grandfather's experience, if you are okay with it. I am glad he was able to defect NK.
Is your grandfather still alive? Please tell him he is totally badass. And if you can, help him write his story. I read all the books I can about North Koreans escaping and I always send them positive and encouraging energy.
Welcome to India brother, u people will live happy and free here.
I hope u get a good future in india. We are still developing but seeing our growth we will be there in a few years.
Even with a language barrier Yeonmi is always spitting facts!
Spitting is not a right word to use I think!
@@dikshapk2000 haha, is just a saying 😅😇
English is probably her 3rd or 4th language
Whos she?
She speaks English so well!
As a disabled man, I count myself l,ucky for having been born in the USA.
Me too am born deaf
Why? Insulin is so expensive that many can’t afford it and die. Great healthcare...
Why would you feel lucky for being born in the US? Your healthcare is basically nonexistent unless you are a millionaire or are willing to put yourself in a lifetime of debt just to get a splinter pulled out.
@@allieniner675 I don't live there but as far as I know people who work legally, have insurance. The system is messed up because Americans rejected big government and high taxes, but I wouldn't think that you would trade US healthcare to any communist country's, because their universal healthcare is very basic. In the USSR healthcare was on the level of a WWI field hospital, no often anesthesia etc. (dentists definitely didn't use anesthesics). Most doctors were basically medics. Yeah NK is an extreme of the "commie" spectrum (the other end is US Democrats), the worst of the worst, NK is like the entire world would look like had the communist world revolution succeeded.
I'm glad I don't live in the US, as someone who has developed chronic illnesses.
I've gone from being a pro athlete to having disabilities, and I'm on lots of medication now. I'd literally be broke trying to pay for meds and hospital treatment, plus some that I'm on have been BANNED in many states due to drug issues/addictions. I know people in the US who are struggling in pain because they've been taken off the meds they rightfully need.
Many with mental illnesses are left on the streets because they have no medical insurance. I don't call that a forward thinking society at all 😔
My heart constantly breaks for them...I’m so happy you were able to escape.
Death is a bit of a blessing for them in North Korea. It is the one kind of escape the North Korean government can't prevent.
she is lying. puts 'international day of the disabled dprk' on youtube.
This breaks my heart. My son has a mental disability and I am so grateful we live in the U.S.A. He has received so much help. Everyone deserves help. This is literally making me cry 😭
I have autism, and probably a few other million disabilities 😂 but I live in UK and I've got a lot of help there
As someone with dwarfism that is such a scary thing to think about. Yeonmi, dwarfism is caused through genetic mutations and is random. I never knew how bad the situation there was before seeing your videos. Please keep doing what you are doing!
Sounds like portland or. Homeless people were kicked out and bussed up and down the coast.
@@karlpierce3035 Was not aware of that. Thanks for letting us know.
Thank you so much for explaining to me and so much love to you xoxo
Can you please share this far and wide in the LP community? They have a few different powerful social platforms in the US.
@@YeonmiParkOfficial what is it like if u go as a disabled tourist do u get treated bad still
I still have hope that one day, the peoples in this contry will be free.
i just finished reading your book, everything was expressed so well thanks for sharing your story ❤️❤️
What is name of book
In Order To Live, Amazon just did a re stock!
@@nyt9443 She did an interview with Valuetainment. It was Amazing and Shocking what all she went through. She is a Strong Warrior!!!♥️
Im on chapter 5!
@@nyt9443 : thank you .
I'm german and this, sadly, sounds very familiar to me. That's insane
I'm Polish and I knw what u r talking about 😔
Yes it does I learned what the phrase never again means from my father when I was 15 years old! My father's family was in Auschwitz they were lucky to survive because they were essential workers!
Yeonmi never apologize for the language barrier. Your message is loud & clear
“The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
Exactly Right!!!💘
North Korea is not a real society. It's more of a company with many slaves making money for their owners. You can't expect companies to also run a free care facility for disabled people.
This is a precursor of the inflock of north korean refugees.... this pussy is intiving the north koreans to flee and run into south korea znd north korea!
Totally lie! This woman is a CIA AGENT.... in the end she will bring more refugees into USA
@@nanonood2261 She's not inviting anyone, given how much restrictions and punishments have increased for attempts to defect.
Most North Korean defectors don't go to the US.
Why would she be a CIA agent? What makes you think she's lying?
Especially since most defectors have very similar stories about how culture and government work in North Korea.
Ghandi is a racist
I've watched many of your videos and this is the one that made me cry. It's so awful. I wish nothinf but luck and love for N. Korean citizens.
❤️
As a disabled person I apperciate this episode, it saddens me that even in today's time we are treated less than dogs in some other countries. Although, North Korea in general treats it's people's lives to be worth less than animals. Like you say North Korea is one big concentration camp. Even in America, while there have been a great more opptunities and care for the disabled, of which I am grateful for, we are still met with stigma and hate crimes aginst the disabled. Stay strong an thanks for sharing the endless info on North Korea even though it's heartbreaking.
Its all about survival of the fittest, animals leave disabled members to die.
We are animals and it is instinct, its just that humans have another layer called compassion, empathy and sympathy(not all people possess this as evident by this video) that blocks these instincts from action.
"They are weak, they would die anyway, why waist resources on hopeless cases?" Is just their instincts getting through the blocks(or lack of).
Back in the day(50.000 years ago) our instincts kept us alive but today in the developed world many of them arent needed anymore however for tribes or third world countries who doesnt have enough resources you see them come out more often.
If you were a super poor country would you put the little money/food you have on people who cant work or give these resources to people who can make more?
That is the logic many of these countries go by, when theres not enough for everyone you prioritize those who will give you the most value.
That has always been the case, it might hurt, it does sucks and its awfull but its true
@@NJHS92 1/3 In the Nazi camps, the prisoners would take things from the corpses of their own people, stealing whatever clothes and food that they could, survival instinct as it's darkest. I've also heard Jew survivors saying how they were helped, but they wouldnt know if they would help others had they'd been in the same position to help. The things we would do as humans to survive
@@NJHS92 2/3. You are telling me no news that the disabled/the weak have always been treated a certain way for the longest time. As they say the truth hurts, it shouldn't be true, but it is. Plus, in surpersticious countries they think disabled people are a curse and what better way to get rid of a curse then killing them off, especially as babies. Like she thought after that the kid with Downs was cursed or something, it's just a common thought in those type of situations, especially when they know nothing of science.
@@NJHS92 3/3 But even in the modern world there is Crimes/murders against the disabled, crimes like what happened to Peggy Lynn Johnson, Vera Jo, Gemma Hayter, Lee Irving, the The Sagamihara stabbings/killings. These people were targeted and killed because of their disability. And what is also happening in North Korea with their treatment of people general is not instinct or survival, its murder, an excuse to torture. We should be better than the animal mindset of leave the ‘weak’ being behind, no excuse. I say fuck that mind set. Excuse the cussing, but I thought it fitting.
This korean cia agent... is a liar
Girl, don't you worry about the "appropriate" term, people are way too sensitive these days anyway, even when there's no reason to get offended. You just keep being the voice you are, you're doing such a great job at it. And whoever wants to take anything else from your work, that's on them not you. Blessings from Romania🤗
People aren't more sensitive, they're emotionally literate and don't take shit. Learn your place if you're privileged, and leave people defend themselves.
@@nachoband1622 they’re snowflakes
@@nachoband1622do you still believe that some people at this point aren't super sensitive? Please. We can barely say a word nowadays.
@@nachoband1622 Grow up and realize how privileged you are to whinge incessantly about such inanities in the comment section of a NORTH KOREAN DEFECTOR. "Don't take shit" translates to "throw a hissy fit to get your way because you're an adult baby with no discipline and has never experienced true hardship in your cozy existence."
The sheer temerity to pull this bullshit here of all places. You give the West a bad name.
@@ethnikistarit’s not about sensitivity, it’s about respect.
Ohh my God!! To take a disabled baby to some facility for experiment?!😮😮😮😮 So shocking to say the least. That’s heartbreaking. I’m in tears literally. Ohh my!! This regime should be stopped.
the elite hav enothign to gain from it. they would fof let nazi germany run rampant if wasent a creation of UN agenda.
You should take 99% of what Y. Park is saying with at least a pinch of salt.Why do North Korea send disabled to Paralympics? I also suggest you watch YTvideo."Life of disabled children in North Korea".
@@summer7676 Do you really think that's an example of most disabled kids' lives in a place that can't even provide for their able-bodied population?
@@EclecticallyEccentricAccording to WHO,North Koreas health care system is "the envy of the developing world". They have free healt care, free education, free housing, and pay no tax.Also,there are institutions for disabled children in Pyongyang.
@@EclecticallyEccentric I can also add to the list 180 day maternity leave, building of schools, building of dwelling houses in hurricane hit areas,50000 flats built in Pyongyang, tideland reclamation, stop smoking campains...not bad for a country that is hit by US sanctions and"that doesn't care"and"can't even provide" for it's own people.
I've NEVER felt more grateful to live as an American!
I have been binge watching all your videos. Thank you for being so brave, to not only escape your homeland, but sharing your insights with all of us.
I’ve done a lot of projects on holocaust throughout my school years and the more I learn about North Korea, the more I realize the country is one big concentration camp. 💔
Yes, ABSOLUTELY
Have you ever been to the Holocaust Museum? If not, and you're into learning about it - I highly recommend it. And then when you're done, head down to The Hamilton for a pitcher or 2 of white peach sangria because you're gonna need it after all that...
Thank you so much to make us aware of what is happening in North Korea.
Hearing this makes me feel sick. What an awful way to treat people who already have so much working against them
Holy cow! This is more horrifying than I imagined! It breaks my heart. :-( It's shocking that the most common causes of death are things that are so easily treated in most of the world.
Holy cow indeed! I expected them to just abandoned to the care of their relatives. The truth is far more horrifying.
@Almost Censored
That's only for the mentally disabled that commit crimes.
Those who don't can usually find homes designed for the disabled. My uncle lived in a few of them before he passed, and he had downs syndrome and was in a wheel chair.
@@Mechaghostman2 Where do you live? I’m not being sarcastic I’m serious. My state is beyond broke and you can see it in the so-called group homes and the few mental health facilities we have left. Shit is horrible.
@@waitwhat1029
I was in Michigan.
There's mentally challenged to the point where you can still talk and cook and stuff but not work and pay bills, then there's mentally challenged to the point where you can't even speak or do basic things.
The former usually seem taken care of well enough, as it's easy to get them apartments with section 8 housing and the such like. The latter though, those guys are the ones in group homes that are sometimes run by the state, but often times not.
I don't have much experience with the latter, but the former seem to have it made here.
@@Mechaghostman2 OK, just to make sure that I understand… You think schizophrenics have it made here?
Hi Yeonmi. This is so much worse than I imagined. I figured that people with disabilities might be isolated and without opportunities to be independent, but using disabled children for chemical weapons experiments is truly shocking and horrible. I wish their was an organization that could help get disabled people out of the country, but from watching your other videos it seems that defection is nearly impossible at this point. I'm so glad you've had the chance to learn about accessibility in public places and that you have learned that even though people may have a disability, they can still live a meaningful life. I am a totally blind person and this video makes me feel so grateful that blind people have the opportunity to be fulfilled and productive citizens in the free world. I would love to help a blind person in North Korea understand what is truly possible when you have the skills to overcome your disability and when society gives you the opportunity to succeed. Thank you for all of your hard work making these videos.
Hey, could you explain how you write comments? I know that you can dictate the words, but I think that's unreliable because often the programme understands words wrongly. I think there are other ways to type, like pressing a button and hearing out loud what button it is, but I don't know the details. If you don't mind, it would be really cool if you could tell me, and I hope my comment doesn't seem rude!
@@solar0wind no problem at all. I actually use a keyboard on my iphone called FlickType. Basically how it works is you tap on the screen where you think the letters might be. When you're done typing, swipe right and FlickType creates a word suggestion list based on what you type. If you don't want the word you chose, swipe down and you'll get more choices. This app was designed specifically with blind people in mind. It works great with voiceover. I use dictation on occasion, but I prefer typing on screen. I can also use the regular keyboard with VoiceOver, but FlickType is faster. If you use the regular iOS keyboard, you have to find the letter you want and lift your finger for it to enter the character. If you're really new to typing you can have it set to where you need to double tap each letter in order to type it. I hope this was helpful.
You're so lovely by saying this beforehand in case anyone could get offended 0:58 love your videos so much!
I’m still offended
@@Coffeeisnecessarynowpepper what are you offended by?
@@marilenat.1271 when she called little people “dwarfs”
@@Coffeeisnecessarynowpepper The condition is called “Dwarfism” so idk what to tell you.
@@mintealeafy that is like calling someone who has cancer A CANCER
As a disabled woman I want to skip this video because I'm sure it will be extra disturbing but as a disability rights activist I know I need to watch it. Also thank you for being cognizant of your language prior to ever even diving in to this video! ❤❤❤❤❤👩🦽🦮
Edit. You actually did better with most of your phrasing than a lot of native English speakers do. Disabled typically is preferred over the term Handicapped, Molly Burke has some great videos on that, and instead of normal able bodied or non-disabled is preferable. Overall great job on your phrasing and treating Disabled people like people when talking about this topic! ❤
Thank you for helping me to understanding these terms! ♥️❤️🙏
I'm not a fan of being called disabled myself, literally means can't do it and that may be sometimes true but many times I just have to use another method. Also folks with a small disability are still considered disabled which makes people wonder if they're just faking it. At least it's not 'InVALID' that right there is the worse. I know I'm too literal lol.
My disability is arthritis/disc disease and I walk a little strangely because of it. I can’t speak for anyone else but I call myself crippled! I can’t face it any other way than with humor.
Laughter = best medicine!
@@cooperhilinsky6361 I don't generally think of myself as disabled but technically I am and recently learned I qualify for at least partial disability & that I qualify to get a handicapped sticker for my car but I keep forgetting right up until it's a particularly busy day at one of the grocery stores and I end up having to park far af and then stumble my way to the entrance like a drunk person, in the FL heat. I have arthritis as well, moderate scoliosis, and the biggest bitch of my 3 main diseases: Multiple Sclerosis. My MS was so quiet and focused on just like 3 symptoms that it went undiagnosed for what my doctor believes to have been 3-4 years according to the onset of my symptoms. However because I already had the arthritis diagnosis, 2 of the MS symptoms that I was having at the time I thought were due to my arthritis, and then I thought I had just developed a weird bladder & had to pee all the time yet still feel like I had to pee after I would pee. Then about 2 years ago my feet went numb & within 5-7 days, it was number all the way up to the start of my thigh & it stayed that way for a month & one side for almost 3 months. MS was one of the only things I hadn't been tested for so I was sent to my current MS Neurologist & after a brain scan showing tiny lil lesions, a middle back MRI that showed 2 larger lesions, and a spinal tap that showed me having over twice of the normal amt of inflammation in my blood...sure enough, it was MS. Apparently most ppl get the extremity numbness & weird vision stuff as their first symptoms which makes an early diagnosis easier, but my body already being a jackass riddled with arthritis, scoliosis, and some less important but equally obnoxious GI issues, of course it decided that the numbness and vision stuff didn't pop up for years and so I wasn't diagnosed until I was 26 but my doc says according to my symptoms I probably have had it since I was at least 23. Once the numbness & vision stuff started & I then got my diagnosis, it started progressing much faster though. Now my fatigue is the fatigue to rival all fatigues, I see what look like colorful little sun spots a lot of the time, my balance gets all screwy so I run into stuff & ALMOST fall over a lot, my once freakishly perfect memory is going to shit by which I still have all of the creepy detailed memory from before the age of like 22 but my short term memory is so bad that on my way to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester a few months back, I was checking a bag & my mom was standing with me & as we walked away she let me know that I had told the girl working the baggage counter that I liked her nails twice in all of a 90 second conversation it was hella embarrassing. I already had muscle spasms before since I was like 16 that my GP used to have me on Soma for and it worked great but with the MS, the spasms are SOOO much worse and bcz of some of my other meds, I can't have Soma anymore. They put me on tizanidine but all it does is help stop the...what I used to call 'mini seizures' but my fam was freaked out by the term so I switched it to 'episodes,' but basically every now and then still, I will get muscle spasms all over one side of my body & then that side of the body twitches & shakes & stiffens for like 5-75 seconds & then i'm good but it sucks bcz it makes my body super sore. As i'm sure you know from your arthritis though, pain is the main culprit. Now that I have (hopefully) all of my diagnosis I can differentiate between the types of pain but before when I just knew about the arthritis I would be so confused & so would previous doctors bcz under the describe your pain section, I would have to circle like everything lol. Got that dull, stiff, achey, swollen type pain in all my joints from my arthritis, shooting nerve pain that just pops up wherever it feels like & then radiates to other parts of the body, then there's the pain when my hands & feet get cold numbness especially if I then try to shower, and then I have my stabbing, burning, ripping feeling in my lower back from my disc issue & some other damage that I have from a hiking accident years ago that was reinjured in a car accident about 3 years ago. Oh and ofc bcz I have both arthritis & MS, finding a medicine to treat the diseases is annoyingly complex bcz I can't take two biologicals due to how hard they are on the body & how immunosuppressed they make you. Finally found Mavenclad which is one of the several meds to treat both & was hopeful since it was essentially low dose chemo in pill form, I figured something that strong would have to work, but nopeee. Though the week long med cycles were meant to be taken a month apart exactly so it definitely didn't help that somehow my insurance fcked up on the 2nd dose pack & I didn't get it for 3 months. As of now my MS just continues to progress & i'm stuck combining holistic treatments with western medication so that I can keep my symptoms somewhat under control and live like 30% of the quality of life that I would have if I were healthy.
Sorry that just turned into a giant rant, I wouldn't blame you at all for not reading the whole thing...I am currently in "FB jail" for 30 days bcz one of my posts went against their "community standards" and so for whatever reason, like a normal day's worth/length of writing when i'm on FB, has transferred over into super long youtube comments & instagram posts but this one is by far the longest. Also I agree that humor & laughter are the best way to deal with everything, especially since some days if I didn't laugh about or at least apply my super sarcastic humor to my situation, I would literally go insane. Especially bcz what Pdragy up there said about 'minor disabilities' definitely struck a nerve...I am 27 but look 19 in the face, i'm maybe 10 lbs overweight thanks to a side effect of damn Gabapentin so am now a size 8, i'm a little pail especially for a FL gurl bcz being in the sun for long periods of time is bad for my MS, but besides that I very much look like a normal 20 something that leads to me getting questioned & doubted about the seriousness of my health issues, and not just by ignorant associates or random dude tryna shoot their shot, i've even had medical 'professionals' like radiologists, anesthesiologists, and pharmacists all be condescending af. Even the good doctors that I go to/have been to almost always either have a nurse that says some variation of "WOW! You are way too young to have all these health issues...*insert personalized story about their daughter, niece, neighbor, basically just whoever the closest female is to them in their life that is near my age & how they just couldn't IMAGINE if their daughter, niece, neighbor etc had to deal with this* aww, bless your heart." I know at least those women mean well but it's like yes, yes I know that I don't look like what most ppl expect a sick person to look like thanks to unrealistic reflections of chronically ill ppl on TV but you would think a damn healthcare worker would know that we come in all shapes, sizes, ages, etc. and that I don't necessarily want to hear about their loved one who is my age and able to live a normal life.
Anyways I have digressed so much at this point that I better just stop typing, as there is no way anyone will take the time out to read this lol, but lastly, thank god I was not born in NK!!! I mean I can still walk now & could prob fake it but i'd be suffering & wanting to die every day & then bcz of how hard North Koreans are forced to work, i'd probably lose my ability to walk by like 30 instead of the estimated 45ish. Yikes! North Korea really is hell on earth
I prefer to call myself Diff-abled lol! 😊
This is absolutely heartbreaking. When I see the children in those pics I can’t help but tear up.
Giving a voice to the voiceless. This young lady is a modern day "hero!" ❤
Very heart breaking. Let's all pray for the freedom of the North Korean people. Everyone deserves to be free. God bless you for talking about this to the world.
There are two things that I want before I die,
•Peace in North Korea
•your book
Without you I wouldnt have even cared about what was happening in North Korea. My final school project for the semester is to make a show. I decided to take a good advantage of all the information I have gotten from you. I was asked lots of questions and I always answered with "Just watch Yeonmi Park, she's taught me everything I know" I've been studying North Korea for what feels like years when it's only been a few months. It breaks my heart to see North Korean citizens being treated this way, they deserve happiness. I pray for North Korea every night. I hope this can all end for them soon
A really good book to read is called The Tears Of My Soul. It's a true story, written by a North Korean woman who was forced to be a spy & to detonate a bomb on a South Korean commercial jet. The bomb didn't detonate, & she was caught, with her partner, who committed suicide. I read it many years ago, & it has always stuck with me. I forget the authors name, but a quick Google search will determine who wrote it, if you're interested. God bless you ❤
♥️
based on some of the things you have said about the younger generation it sounds like there is some growing distrust of The Kim Dynasty, I hope it grows to the point that they suffer the same fate as Romania's Ceaușescus
This courageous and truthful woman is exactly the sort of immigrant we need! Welcome to America!
Please don't discriminate between immigrants. 💔
I am a transgender refugee coming to the USA. That made me feel odd🙂 but we are not allowed to choose which country we are assigned to.
@@hope4132 WELCOME TO AMERICA!! Glad you're here. 🇺🇲💕
It is discrimination in North Korea that causes so much suffering, pain and death. HAVE YOU NOT BEEN LISTENING TO WHAT YEOMNI'S BEEN TELLING US?
Discrimination between black and white, rich and poor, old and young that fills the world with hate and death. Please don't discriminate. 😔
@@MovingOndaisy How awesome is it that this little tiny North Korean girl is becoming such a force to be reckoned with? I love it. I literally love it every single day 💪 and as far as immigration to America... All y'all welcome! Come sit by me 🥰 you can ALWAYS sit by me!
Truly heartbreaking. 💔
Hi Yeonmi. I am a korean-american woman with dwarfism so this video was very heartbreaking for me. Thank you for shedding light on this topic of disabilities and dprk abd mostly, thank you for all the work you do. We appreciate you.
Thank you Yeonomi for sharing & educating your viewers. Best Wishes
I’m so disgusted and so infuriated with all of this…… it’s heartbreaking……there are not enough words nor time for most of us to even begin to voice our thoughts and/or opinions…… EVIL doesn’t even begin to describe what that atrocious monster is……
This video breaks my heart to know people are suffering in such a way.
Governments should help
@@fornitwofficial4904 the government is only troubling them
Thanks for listening to my request .
And I really hope things get better for everyone there.
buying your book right now. i watch every video you post. thank you for making me appreciate my life more.❤️
You are an angel. Thank you. ❤️
We will never be able to live in harmony whilst evil dictators are tolerated. How can any government allow this?
The Bible doesn’t talk about it getting any better, folks. God bless .🙏..Jesus is King!
USA is getting on the way to turn the freedom country to the corrupt and dictatorship by Democratic Party .
@@annw1984 I am genuinely curious, why the heck is Trump supported? Because he just seems, from a non-American perspective, an absolute bellend and someone who doesn't think. Like some of his policies work only on a micro (business) level, which makes sense as he's a business person (though how did he get a casino to go bankrupt ??), but not on a macro level economics wise.
He also denounces immigrants when 1) his grandparents were from Germany 2) Melania isn't American 3) walls don't work please see Berlin Wall and other walls they come down eventually. He's ok with immigrants as long as they are white basically.
And that whole thing with getting people to perform an act of terrorism on the white house (where Children were with their parents) because he was throwing a Presidential tantrum over not being the president anymore.
Also, I'm personally offended by him because I'm autistic and he's said some very nasty things about people like me. And just generally seems to be unpleasant towards anyone who dares to not fit a particular type. Like if you have a disability, you happen to not be white etc.
So I genuinely don't get the support for him and the anti democrates party, who personally to me seem like the lesser of two evils.
For more perspective, Australia's political landscape isn't great either (Peter Dutton aka Voldemort's love child is a great/bad example of this). Prime Minister is an idiot who for some reason seems to be struggling with the concept of women being people/having feelings at the moment so that's fun.
Thank you for what you're doing, Yeonmi. As someone who's near-blind myself, I can't think what it must be like for those poor souls in North Korea - they've done nothing to merit such cruelty. This was very distressing to watch. Please be careful, and do refrain from sharing personal information, especially about your son/partner/whereabouts: the less we know, the better. Greetings to you & yours from India!
Yeonmi, thank you for sharing with us. I have so much respect for you.
Protect Yeonmi at all cost.
This is evil, disabled people are human and everyone deserves human rights.
I love that you’re being considerate with your wording. This is an awful thing to speak about and you’re still considering how words might affect someone. Ignoring the language barrier something this intense is hard to talk about but I commend you for sharing this and spreading awareness
I am so sad by what is happening in North Korea, you are so brave to educate people. By the way, You have the most amazing outfits.
I'm new to the channel and have been binge watching your videos all day ❤️ I've always been interested in North Korea and I've wondered how such a place can exist in this century. Your videos have been so educational and you've answered so many of the questions I've had as well as corrected some of the misunderstandings.
I'm so sorry for the suffering you along with your family have had to endure. You're truly an inspiration and your work is highly appriciated! 👏
Is there any way to help you, in the work you do? I would love to spread awareness about the treatment of North Koreans.
As a person living in America dealing with chronic mental illness I do not mind the language you've used in this video at all. Some people might take offense, but those people will be unable to respect the language barrier or the cultural difference. I love your work, thank you so much for spreading awareness.
Wow, Yeonmi... I didn't even consider what N. Korea might do to mentally ill people! thank you so much for raising our awareness.
those dislikes are from kim jong un's government
nah, they are all dislikes by fatty Jong un from his different accounts XD
@@didyoustealmyfood8729 hahahaha yess
@CAESAR what?
@CAESAR but what makes you believe that this is not true and she's being paid by the west?
@@twishaahuja2120 first she said her father died then she said he was in prison she’s a liar her information is false
God bless you for speaking up and being a voice for those without a voice!
Thank you for this video. I've had problems with arthritic and degenerative disease since I was a kid, but I kept it together and worked in everything from construction to nursing , was married and had four kids until I was 44 years old and them I could hardly walk and had to go on disability. Now I've got heart and liver problems from the medication and have to use a walker and wheelchair to get around and will be dead within five years but I watched your videos and I often wanted to know what happened to disabled people in North Korea. I complain but at least I get a check and have a roof over my head and people in America are kind and help me. My family came from Communist Czechoslovakia and disabled people there were pushed away and hidden but they were at least taken care of. But even there, they were put away. It was nothing like North Korea though. Thank you for your videos. I have liked watching them. Also, you didn't say anything offensive about disabled people. I make fun of myself and call myself a crip all the time. The termanoligy doesn't bother me.
Nobody was dying from hanger and there were no conc. camps in former communist countries. Situation was heavens better. Now, situation in North Korea reminds me times from 30's in Uklraine deuring famine , hunger times when bolsheviks killed millions of people.
Love your pride and confidence. Your doing so good . God bless !!!
Yeonmi please explain just how the regime started in North Korea. I know there was a Korean war and some Australians fought there. Details are not really talked about.
Seems to me the regime is more a Dynasty and Korean people are in slavery. Kim family reap massive rewards while people work for virtually nothing in return.
In all this mess, i would imagine that no one trusts each other therefore any recreation would not take place
@The Mysterious Husky My Uncle was a Medic in the Korean War. He said it was horrible how many people suffered and died there.
Basically, after WW2 the Korean peninsula was divided along the 38th parallel. Wanting to reunite the country, the north invaded the south. Primarily the US, but others as well was like "no way in hell are we gonna allow the entire country to be communist" and intervened. When the war went good for the south, the Chinese was like "no way in hell are we gonna allow the entire country to be a capitalist, US supported pain in the ass right on our doorstep". The Chinese openly intervened, the Soviets, fearing it could escalate into WW3, intervened in secret, but that's for another post. And things just went to hell from there. But that's the gist of it. :)
@@soho2409 Pretty good summary!
@@soho2409 thank you this is very succinct!
Hello Yeonmi! Your English is just fine. You speak very clearly.
There is no words for all of this. No human being should ever be treated like this. Sounds just like dr. Menegele human experimentation using torture and chemicals on his subjects during holocaust.
I know a people the U.S. treated and still treat even more Evil than what you have described.
Totally lie! This woman is a CIA AGENT.... in the end she will bring more refugees into USA
as someone who is disabled, thank you for making this video. i’ve been curious. i know in canada where i am in fact free, is still very much a struggle. i couldn’t imagine being the way i am. thank you for clarifying the language barrier too! we preferred being called disabled. it’s really scary. especially that they NEED more support than average citizen. i’m so glad you’ve escaped. all i can do is pray for them 💕💕 sending love yeonmi
Thank you for such an insightful video on a really horrific disability culture in NK, Yeonmi! Harrowing for me to hear. But I always love your videos 😇
As a blind person hearing what disabled people go through in North Korea is heart breaking. Thank you for educating us Yeomni and thank you for being sensitive to using disability inclusive language. Disabled people/people with disabilities have been hidden away and oppressed for far too long throughout the world and using language that is accepted by the disability community is important for ensuring our equal treatment in society.
There exists physical evidence that (at least some) prehistoric human societies took care of frail and disabled people. Evidence to show that they were fed well, protected from predators and danger, carried if they couldn't walk, and buried with respect after death. They weren't just snuffed out as an inconvenience. Thousands of years later, and still we have holocausts of the disabled. On top of the obvious horror, it says something so deeply sad about humanity.
Thank you Yeonmi for another educational video. I am a big fan of your channel.
we love you so much
thank you for being you
greetings from India
the feeling of being hopeless is worst because of that cruel manipulator
all things come to an end, so will this regime
I think the whole world could unite on this matter, if wasn't for China or possibly Russia, heck, i even think Putin would be on our side, i just think China is using NK as a "shield" from western influence.
Bless you for having the guts to spill the tea
You are so well spoken Yeonmi
Thank you Yeonmi for such a wonderful video.
I was in America army in South Korea 🇰🇷 1981
Thanks for your service sir!
You have a beautiful soul, Yeonmi. You could have grown up to be uncompassionate to others because the of society you were raised in, but your heart is so kind. God bless you.
Yeonmi, your speaking out is making a real difference. I pray for the liberation of the North Korean people. When Nesara/Gesara is rolled out, we will all be free. Many will need healing. This is God's plan. We are living through an AMAZING change. God has us. Bless you. ❤
You believe in fakin' gawds? Fak your gawd if he plans to make such dictators and kill millions of innocents.
There's no gods,ur not in BC anymore
@@Traxotetir you poor poor man.
@@ب_ب-ج4ك I feel very sorry for you. 😞
@@demitraferles7970Same here buddy 😞
Every time I watch one of your videos, I just sit in utter silence. How do you keep a positive outlook on life? You are an amazing spirit.
I’m reading your book right now your such an inspiration
"you're"
@@moxy9198 mate we're too lazy to stay and use dots
Yeonmi you are doing a fantastic job and explain the facts very well.
So beautiful and brave! Your story is inspiring
I love your mission and everything that you stand for, you are a true voice for your people, who I really believe, more than anyone in the world right now, needs a voice. Thank you so much for sharing, I genuinely hope that everyone listens to your videos and that one day your people will be truly free, thank you so much for sharing, and I really hope that your message spreads across the world, you are an amazing human being ❤😊❤😊 stay strong and keep fighting hun, you are loved and right in every way!!❤😊❤😊
I find it strange that your videos get so many views and a disproportionately low number of likes. Is it NK intelligence watching and are you concerned about your safety? What you do in educating us about the horror of the Kim regime is so incredibly powerful, your words are weapons that they have no defence against. I hope that you are safe and protected in your new home, you are an extraordinary individual.
Thank you for another informative video
Yeonmi, I understand that a lot of terrible things happen to the people of North Korea, could you make a video of any fun things that you did growing up? ❤️
So sad... As someone who works with adults affected by disabilities, I thank you for touching on this topic
I think that a topic like this is extremely taboo. I’m almost an adult and it’s very taboo for my family to talk about my disabilities, especially my declining mental health, and the fact that my family is very perfectionist and controlling doesn’t help. So when I her People like you and Yeonmi talk about this I feel comforted, because I know things will get better :)
It is scary how many people have no idea how bad things are there. Keep on talking.
Thank you so much for your courage to tell us the truth ❤️
Now I understand what's going in there.
Wow. This breaks my heart so much. 😞😞😞
Your topics are getting more and more interesting. Cant wait for the next episode.❤️
Yeonmi asking for forgiveness in case she said any offensive words before even starting to speak is what true politeness looks like! I love it!
In my case I don't mind the words "disabled, handicap, etc" The only word I personally find disrespectful is "crippled"
As a blind woman, watching this video is terrifying. Unfortunately, given everything going on there, I didn’t expect much different.
Wait a min- 👀
@@user-pm3uh3vb8j Blind people can watch videos too. We listen to them. We use screen readers to interact with our phones and computers, which helps us do things like post on Facebook, Twitter, and comment on this TH-cam video.
@@cutiewritergrl oh okay I didn't know that thank you for informing me I hope I didn't offend you
@@user-pm3uh3vb8j I have videos about some of the technologies that I use on my channel if you’re interested.
Thank you Yeonmi for your dedication in sharing the truth
You rock Park!!
I watched a documentary on a young man who escaped from a concentration camp. The pictures he drew still haunt me today - little babies being tortured for the "crimes" of their families, young girls being forced to perform certain unthinkable acts on their captors, people having to eat bugs off the ground. His arms were disfigured, I assume from repeatedly being hung by his arms behind his back, repeatedly and for long periods of time. The depravity of this regime is unthinkable. I'm getting old and this had been going on far too long.
I love your videos and the awareness you bring about N. Korea. Can you make a day/week in the life of yeonmi now? It would be interesting to see how you adjusted to life in N. America. Thank you :)
This is so sad and so wrong!
Thank you so sharing and I pray you will have much success and many blessings!
I am praying and open to helping!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻♥️♥️♥️
Don't worry Yeonmi, If Korean people can forgive my western self for speaking to an Elder in a the casual context and just be happy I'm learning their language, we can show you the same courtesy. I have been listening to you speak since you've defected and first stood up to the regime by speaking your truth, even in subtitles, and one thing is very clear. You have an enormous heart, full of empathy and compassion. Anyone who jumps on you for impolite terms, knowing this is what? your third language (Im imagining you had to learn Mandrn) and attacks u instead of compassionately teaching u the correct term should themselves, learn to speak more politely. After they have done that, they can come back and tell us all how many languages they speak fluently. BTW the correct term for someone with various forms of dwarfism is either 'Little Person'. Although, maybe I am even wrong. This is the latest term I know. I am sure you have had to hear all sorts of ignorance said toward you out of well meaning mouths from the free world who didn't know something about NK. You have a wonderful heart and are always so concerned with how other people feel. We love you Yeonmi! This may sound impolite but I assure you its a big compliment. You have balls of steel!!!
How can anyone dislike your video. It's very informative!! Thank you for letting us know
thank you for educating people on this topic:)
We all must thank this young woman for her bravery for coming forward with what is going on in North Korea
I admire you so much. Please be careful. I don't trust that man Kim whatever his name is. I pray that you are well guarded. Don't let North Korea near you. Watch all your surroundings. What you do with your channel is amazing. With every video you're making a difference. I know your mother, sister and step father are very very very proud of you. Happy New Year and God bless you 💟🎉🎊🎇🎆
Thank you for sharing so we can understand more
Hi Yeonmi! I was wondering, what was life like before the 3 leaders? Who was the leader prior to Sung?
Also, how do children entertain themselves? what kind of toys or games did you play ^^ thanks for all the info, i hope for a better and healthy North Korea!
The Korean peninsula (modern day North and South Korea) was a colony of Japan 1910 - 1945. It was under Japanese influence from 1876 and prior to that an independent kingdom from 1392 (although under frequent attack / occupation by Japanese and Manchurians).
A quick summary: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseon
Thank you, Yeonmi I pray that the people of North Korea find peace, justice, and prosperity. 🙏🏼
Spread this!
I’m a disabled person and I don’t think you said anything offensive, also this video is so important! Thanks for sharing this and sharing your story
I admit I have not watched all of it yet, but I have heard that in much of Asia the handicapped are looked down on. So sad.
You have nothing to apologies for, your heart is always in the right place.
edit. Congratulations on getting over 300 Patreon's. I wish you many more.
The most heartbreaking details told through the sweetest voice. Thank you also Yeonmi.
Thank you for talking about this