“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: Why did you defect from North Korea?

Jin Ju-dong — who was born and raised in North Korea and defected during the pandemic — recalls growing up in the DPRK, the propaganda he was confronted with and what drove him to escape to South Korea.

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