Intriguing Insights: The Unique Challenges of Interviewing North Korean Defectors

When conducting interviews with North Korean defectors, one question consistently proves to be a conundrum for these individuals. Adam Meyers, who has extensive experience interviewing people from this background, shares a particularly revealing anecdote: “One of my favorite questions to ask is, ‘What is your opinion on Kim Jong Un’s physique?’ However, the moment I bring this up, they usually end the call immediately.”

This response sheds light on the complex and precarious nature of discussing the North Korean regime, particularly when it comes to criticism aimed at its leaders. For these defectors, expressing negative views, even in a private setting, can evoke the trauma of past experiences in a repressive state where freedom of speech is practically nonexistent.

In this post, we explore the broader implications of such an interaction for understanding the mindset of those who have fled North Korea and the subtleties of discussing a regime that controls its citizens’ perceptions and opinions. The reaction to a seemingly innocuous question highlights the ingrained fear and caution that characterize the lives of those who have escaped one of the world’s most secretive and oppressive governments.

Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the personal stories of North Korean defectors and the unique challenges they face even in seemingly safe environments.