North Korean defector and chef Lee Soon-sil broke down in tears while recounting her harrowing escape from the North, during which she lost her 3-year-old daughter. The emotional moment unfolded alongside her partner, Hwang Yoo-seong, on a recent television broadcast.
Dramatic Escape and Heartbreak
Lee Soon-sil, who has lived in South Korea for 20 years, described the devastating loss that haunts her. Her partner Hwang comforted her, stating, “She gave birth here and had one healthy child. Even in other defector cases, no one has endured such pain—she lost her daughter and remains deeply heartbroken.”
Wiping away tears, Lee responded to her partner, “I only trust myself. Whether you’re right or wrong, I follow you anyway.” She conveyed the oppressive culture in North Korea, where her mother served as head cook for a military unit, making her stand out at 170 cm tall among smaller North Koreans.
“North Koreans are all so small,” Lee explained. “I grew tall because of my mother’s position. From afar, they thought I looked pretty, but up close, not so much. In my 20s, people called me handsome.” At 16, she became a class teacher despite gender discrimination, later attending school and joining the military to prove herself.
Border Life and Desperate Flight
Residing 11 years in a border village, Lee found life more miserable than in central areas. Childbirths were agonizing, with constant hunger—even rice and barley were scarce. “I forced myself through deliveries despite the pain,” she shared. “Husbands climbed over fences to reach us, but my feelings toward my partner weren’t good.”
Their home was so rundown that even neighbors pitied it. Attempting escape, Lee faced resistance from her grandmother, who insisted a woman must own the house first. Overcoming prejudice, she crossed the Amnok River with her child but endured capture by Chinese authorities, fueling lasting resentment.
“Age discrimination still lingers as unresolved pain,” Lee admitted. After fleeing, she navigated Yanggang’s harsh mountains, witnessing even more pitiful lives. She sold possessions for passage and succeeded in reaching South Korea.
New Life and Partnership
Now a broadcaster, Lee attributes her media presence to healing past traumas. She met Hwang Yoo-seong post-arrival. “I was terrified,” she revealed, crediting him for helping her become a North Korean restaurant manager. Hwang reflected, “As humans, we’ve met many during national changes. I see her as a great woman worthy of responsibility, despite convincing her to leave another.”
He praised her daily efforts in dishes, side meals, and beef buns. Lee affirmed, “I ignore others and complain to my partner. Just surviving like this feels good.” Hwang encouraged, “Live prosperously like now, trusting only yourself.” Their bond highlights resilience amid past suffering.
