“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: What is the one item you most wish you could have brought with you from North Korea when you left?

Rose — who was born and raised in North Korea and lived there until she defected in 2019 — writes about what she deeply regrets leaving behind and how