Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think about anti-government protests?



Ask A North Korean Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think about anti-government protests? State media reports on protests in capitalist countries, but most in DPRK can’t imagine voicing discontent with regime Hyun-seung Lee March 20, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Workers at the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex attend a rally in support of the results of a North Korean party plenum \| Image: KCNA (Feb. 23, 2021) “Ask a North Korean” is an *NK News* series featuring interviews with and columns by North Korean defectors, most of whom left the DPRK within the last few years. Readers may submit their questions for defectors by emailing [email protected] and including their first name and city of residence. Today’s question is from Benedikt, who asks if there are any forms of protest in North Korea. Hyun-seung Lee — who comes from an elite North Korean family and defected in 2014 — spoke with NK Newsabout the lack of information and brutal suppression that makes the expression of discontent nearly © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

Ask A North Korean

Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think about anti-government protests?

State media reports on protests in capitalist countries, but most in DPRK can’t imagine voicing discontent with regime

Hyun-seung Lee March 20, 2023

Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think about anti-government protests?

Workers at the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex attend a rally in support of the results of a North Korean party plenum | Image: KCNA (Feb. 23, 2021)

“Ask a North Korean” is an NK News series featuring interviews with and columns by North Korean defectors, most of whom left the DPRK within the last few years.

Readers may submit their questions for defectors by emailing [email protected] and including their first name and city of residence.

Today’s question is from Benedikt, who asks if there are any forms of protest in North Korea.

Hyun-seung Lee — who comes from an elite North Korean family and defected in 2014 — spoke with NK Newsabout the lack of information and brutal suppression that makes the expression of discontent nearly

About the Author

Hyun-seung Lee

Hyun-Seung Lee is a former DPRK businessman. He served as a Special Forces sergeant in the army and led the Kim Il-sung Socialist Youth League branch in Dalian, China, before defecting with his family in 2014, following Kim Jong Un's sweeping political purges. From South Korea to the United States, Lee remains involved in North Korean affairs — founding the North Korean Young Leaders Assembly and as lead strategist at the Global Peace Foundation. He co-hosts the Pyonghattan YouTube channel with his sister, bringing firsthand insight on the regime. He received a master's degree in public administration from Columbia University.

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