I didn't know what freedom was. I didn't even know the word. I didn't know the concept. I never heard of that word, 'freedom.' To me, the happiest thing was having food. — Park Yeon-mi Copy Share Image
Going to Columbia, the first thing I learned was 'safe space.' Every problem, they explained us, is because of white men. — Park Yeon-mi Copy Share
If there is no word that means you don't have the concept. In North Korea they eliminate the words: depression, stress, dictatorship, human rights.… — Park Yeon-mi Copy Share
My favorite movies were 'Titanic,' 'James Bond' and 'Pretty Woman' - people smuggled in pirate copies from China. — Park Yeon-mi Copy Share
Kim Jong-un and the regime don't just oppress - they play with human lives. — Park Yeon-mi Copy Share
My father died without knowing even this kind of democracy exists in the world. He didn't even know this much food was available in… — Park Yeon-mi Copy Share
That is what is happening in America. People see things, but still they've just completely lost the ability to think critically. — Park Yeon-mi Copy Share
North Korea is a religion. We are told that Kim is a god and that he knows what you are thinking and how many… — Park Yeon-mi Copy Share
I had to be very unrealistic about my situation. If I was so realistic I would never have made it this far. So, you… — Park Yeon-mi Copy Share
I thought North Koreans were the only people who hated Americans, but turns out there are a lot of people hating this country in… — Park Yeon-mi Copy Share
Back in 2014, at the One Young World Summit in Dublin, I shared my story of my escape from North Korea to China in… — Park Yeon-mi Copy Share
North Korea is a very Confucius country. We respect the elders, the hierarchy. It's not like America where anyone can step up and do… — Park Yeon-mi Copy Share
Everything in North Korea was about the leader, all the books, music and TV. — Park Yeon-mi Copy Share
