“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 about study sessions in North Korea.

Rose — who was born and raised in North Korea and lived there until she defected in 2019 — recalls long study sessions during her university days, memorizing the leader’s speeches every New Year’s and the impact that such teachings had on those