Global Peace Foundation works with our distinguished partners around the world to support the reunification of the Korean peninsula. We believe that peace and prosperity within the Korean peninsula and East Asia are not secured by unification alone, but will be equally determined by the vision of what kind of nation a new unified Korea will become for the world. On such a basis, our primary mission is to provide a vision that could not only move the global community to work toward Korean unification but also to suggest a framework so a new unified Korea can become a positive ally in development and peace for the global society.

The Korea Insight series invites experts and activists to discuss the current critical issues surrounding Korea and Korean unification.

In this interview, we introduce Hyun Seong Lee, an independent consultant to North Korea. He lived as an “elite” in North Korea before going to China to study business, where he later defected to South Korea and then moved to the United States. He shares his life story and brings much insight into the life of a North Korean.

Timestamps:

1:23 Growing up in North Korea
9:22 Serving in the North Korean Military
17:18 Studying Abroad in China
26:29 Working in China-North Korean Trade
29:04 Escaping North Korean Purge
35:37 Changing Attitudes of North Koreans
43:52 COVID19 in North Korea, Kim Jong-un’s Health, and Succession Speculation
59:50 The Korean Dream: Re-envisioning Reunification