Homeless in North Korea, honored in India
Posted : 2024-12-21
Han Song-mi, second from right, is joined by Casey Lartigue Jr., second from left and Lee Eun-koo, right, co-founders of Freedom Speakers International, outside the South Korean Embassy in India in December. Left is Maeng Hyo-shim, a North Korean refugee. Courtesy of Casey Lartigue
By Han Song-mi
When I was growing up in North Korea, I didn’t know about a country called India. The reason is that I was busy just surviving in the countryside of North Korea. Our family lived in extreme poverty, so we didn’t even have a TV at home. Because of the difficult life circumstances, I had no opportunities to access information about the outside world.
In my two trips to India this year, I saw that the wealthy lived extremely well while the poor were homeless on the streets, begging with their children. Some of them would even approach our car and tap on the window trying to get our attention. Seeing this reminded me of my own experience being homeless in North Korea. The stark divide between the rich and poor seemed very similar to what I experienced in North Korea.
However, I thought India still could not be compared to North Korea. In India, families are not forcibly separated and made to live apart. People are not brainwashed with false information or face severe consequences for not following orders. In India, although many are poor, they all live in freedom, which is unimaginable for those living in North Korea. Compared to people living in North Korea, especially those in rural areas, people in India — despite their hardships — seemed to be in a better situation because they live freely without being subjected to fear and submission.
In North Korea, especially those living in central regions, people are not only deprived of their freedom but also unaware that it has been taken away from them. They live as if they are blindly devoted to the Kim family as if they were gods. Compared to that, I think life in India is a hundred times better.
I have now been to India twice, once in July and the second in December. In July, I gave speeches, had book signing events, and met with Indian college students, opinion leaders, reporters and influencers.
This time, from Dec. 9 to 11, I went to India as a representative of Freedom Speakers International (FSI) receiving a Global Peace Award from the All India Council on Human Rights, Liberties and Social Justice. I had the chance to stand on such an honorable stage. For me, attending an international award ceremony felt like a dream I didn’t know about, that had come true.
I was just grateful to even attend an international award ceremony. When I went up on stage to help accept the award, I was so nervous. Even now, as I write this, my heart is trembling and I feel a bit shaky.
I want to thank Dr. Anthony Raju of the All India Council on Human Rights, Liberties and Social Justice for giving the award to FSI, to FSI co-founder Lee Eun-koo for everything she does for North Korean refugees, and the South Korean team based in India for making both trips so enjoyable.
I also got to visit Indian landmarks such as the Red Fort and Taj Mahal. If I were still in North Korea, I would have never had the chance to meet such lovely people, to visit India, and to learn about its history.
I believe all of this was possible because I met Casey Lartigue, FSI’s co-founder. I also believe it was by God’s grace that I was able to meet Casey. So, I first want to offer my gratitude to God, and next, I want to thank Casey for everything.
Han Song-mi is a North Korean Refugee Author Fellow with Freedom Speakers International and co-author with Casey Lartigue Jr. of her memoir, “Greenlight to Freedom: A North Korean Daughter’s Search for Her Mother and Herself.”
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