Interviews with North Korean Defectors From Kim Shin-jo to Thae Yong-ho Routledge Advances in Korean Studies Series

Originally compiled and written by North Korean defector and author Lim Il, this English-language edition, thoroughly annotated by Dr. Adam Zulawnik, is a fascinating collection of 34 interviews with highly prominent North Korean defectors residing in South Korea, ranging from religious figures, to artists, politicians, North Korea experts, and even divers and subway train operators.

The 33 interviews herein are listed chronologically according to the interviewees' date of arrival to South Korea and span almost 70 years. The book also includes six special columns addressing key issues pertaining to North Korean defectors and their lives in South Korea, such as the relationship between North Korean defectors and their South Korean counterparts (South Korean defectors to North Korea; nomenclature (how North Korean defectors have been referred to in South Korean society over time); arrival and settlement provisions from the South Korean government; the nuanced difference between defectors, defector-residents, and the displaced; North Korean defector-residents and their position in South Korean politics; and a short biography of five notable North Korean defector-residents who were not interviewed. The English translation also contains an exclusive 34th interview with Lim Il, the source text author which was carried out towards the end of the project in October 2020.

The book is a valuable testament to North Korean defector-residents and unique in that it provides a candid account of each individual?s experience. It will prove to be especially useful to students and scholars seeking to understand the complex dynamics of North Korean society and the status of exiles in South Korea, and a vital resource for students of Korean Studies.

Map 1. East Asia; Map 2. North Korea; Map 3. Central Pyongyang; Critical introduction from Adam Zulawnik; Source text introduction by Lim Il; Acknowledgements; Translation Teams; 1. Kim Shin-jo | Korean People’s Army soldier ∞ pastor; 2. Ahn Chan-il | Korean People’s Army soldier ∞ chairman of Sungy Dongji association; 3. Chon Chol-woo | Exchange student in Germany ∞ president of Gohyang FS; 4. Kang Chol-hwan | Yodok Prison Camp inmate ∞ chairman of the North Korea Strategy Center; 5. Im Young-sun | Korean People’s Army soldier ∞ chairman of the Committee for the Nine Northern Korean Provinces; Special column: South Korean defectors and North Korean defector-residents; 6. Kim Tae-bom | North Korean logger in Russia ∞ director of the Peace Unith Korea Defectore Alliance; 7. Kang Myung-do | Premier Kang Sung-san’s son-in-law ∞ university professor; 8. Cho Myung-chul | Teacher at Kim Il-Sung university ∞ member of the 19th National Assembly (2012), politician; 9. Ahn Myeong-cheol | Security guard in the Korean People's Army ∞ president of NK Watch; 10. Jeong Seong-san | Korean People's Army soldier ∞ musical director; Special column: North Korean defector-residents and naming problems; 11. Rhee Min-bok | Agricultural researcher ∞ leader of anti-North Korean balloon propaganda program; 12. Han Yong-su | Korean People's Army soldier ∞ first North Korean metro train operator; 13. Jeong Nam | Railway worker ∞ president of Glov Co., Ltd. (sunflower oil producer); 14. Shim Ju-il | Korean People's Army soldier ∞ head of North Korean Soldiers of Christ Association; 15. Kim Seong-min | Korean People's Army soldier ∞ founder and president of Free North Korea Radio; Special column: Arrival support and benefits; 16. Park Sang-hak | trader ∞ chairperson of Fighters for a Free North Korea; 17. Hong Sun-kyung | North Korean envoy to Thailand ∞ North Korea expert; 18. Joo Myung-shin | University teacher ∞ chairperson of North Korean Defector Artists’ Association; 19. Park Kwang-il | Middle school teacher ∞ chair of Youth Forum of North Korea Democratization; 20. Song Byeok | Jik’gwan seondong (propaganda) operative ∞ artist; Special column: Displaced persons and North Korean defector-residents; 21. Kim Tae-san | President of Joseon-Czech joint footwear venture ∞ North Korea expert; 22. Joo Seung-hyun | Korean People's Army soldier ∞ university professor; 23. Kim Heung-kwang | University teacher ∞ director of the North Korean Intellectuals Solidarity; 24. Jeon Ju-myeong | Youth worker ∞ president of Unity Preparations North Korean Defectors’ Association; 25. Park Seong-jin | University student ∞ Sohaegeum musician; Special column: North Korean defector-residents and South Korean politics; 26. Park Myung-ho | Party loyalist ∞ first North Korean defector-resident diver; 27. Ji Seong-ho | Disabled youth ∞ president of NAUH; 28. Lee Ung-gil | University student ∞ president of Saeteomin Lounge; 29. Jang Se-yul | University teacher ∞ president of Gyeore’eol Unification Solidarity; 30. Choi Hyeon-jun | Protection agent ∞ president of Unification Future Solidarity; Special column: Other notable North Korean defector-residents; 31. Kim In-chul | Trader ∞ president of Jiwon Publishing; 32. Im Kang-jin | Korean People's Army soldier ∞ private business owner; 33. Thae Yong-ho | North Korean minister in the UK ∞ North Korea expert; Afterword from the author; 34. Exclusive interview with author Lim Il | Construction worker in Kuwait ∞ writer; Select bibliography

Lim Il is a regular contributor to Tong’il Shinmun (Unity News). He is himself a North Korean defector, having previously worked as a construction worker in Kuwait. He has authored multiple books in Korean.

Adam Zulawnik is an Academy of Korean Studies Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Monash University, Australia. He was a founding member of the Korean Studies program at the University of Melbourne, Australia. His current research focuses on the translation of the Korean and Japanese languages in political and historical settings.