In a small, abandoned building located next to the Korea Foods store in New Malden, I climb the dirty staircase infused with the smell of pickled Korean salads coming from the canteen downstairs. I knock on a door with a sign saying “North Korea Residents Society” and a small man wearing a beige shirt, grey trousers and a smart brown corduroy jacket opens the door.

Kim Joo Il is softly spoken and has a gentle face which makes him look much younger than his 40 years, but there is a steeliness in his behavior that gives some indication as to