“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.

This week, “Ask A North Korean” columnist Lena introduces herself and shares her defection story.

Lena, who was born and raised in North Korea until her defection in 2019, writes about her experience escaping the regime and the emotions — fear, grief and acceptance — that still plague her mind.

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