In Order to Live: Book Overview
What's it like to grow up in one of the most oppressive regimes in the world? How does someone escape from such a place and build a new life?
In In Order to Live book, Yeonmi Park and Maryanne Vollers tell the harrowing story of Park's escape from North Korea. You'll learn about the brutal conditions she endured, her perilous journey through China, and her eventual path to freedom in South Korea.
Read on to discover Park's incredible tale of survival and her transformation into a powerful voice for human rights.
Overview of In Order to Live
From the repressive regime of North Korea to the harsh realities of human trafficking and the challenges of adapting to a new culture, Yeonmi Park's harrowing journey is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. In the In Order to Live book, co-authored with Maryanne Vollers, Park shares the deeply personal story of her escape and defection to South Korea as a teenager.
With searing honesty, she sheds light on the indoctrination, hunger, and oppression prevalent in her homeland. Park's brave voice aims to raise global awareness for those still suffering under the North Korean regime. Her ongoing advocacy efforts further underline her determination to protect human rights and effect meaningful change.
Life in North Korea
Growing up in North Korea, Yeonmi Park experienced extreme poverty, constant surveillance, and intense indoctrination. Her story offers a rare glimpse into daily life under one of the world's most oppressive regimes.
Park's family lived in Hyesan, a city that starkly contrasted with the more modern capital of Pyongyang. Their home, while spacious, was far from comfortable. Mice scurried overhead, providing an unwelcome soundtrack to their days. The shared fireplace offered little warmth against the bitter cold. With electricity scarce and candles expensive, darkness was a constant companion.
Food insecurity was a daily struggle for Park and her family. Most North Koreans lived in severe poverty, facing chronic malnutrition. When rice prices soared, meals often consisted of simple potato patties or thin porridge. Park longed for the brighter life she glimpsed across the border in the Chinese town of Changbai.
The contrast between North Korea and its neighbors was stark. While people in Changbai seemed to live comfortably, North Koreans were dying of starvation. Bodies were often found in rivers or discarded among piles of trash. The government diverted food aid meant for the starving population to the military, forcing citizens to rely on secret trading systems just to survive.
Indoctrination and Leader Worship
The North Korean government maintains control through intense indoctrination, teaching citizens to revere the regime's leaders as godlike figures. Park describes how deeply this worship was ingrained in everyday life.
From a young age, children learn to use honorific titles for state leaders that imply deep reverence. They're taught fantastical stories about the supernatural abilities of past leaders. Citizens are expected to endure hardship as a sign of loyalty to the regime.
Regular self-criticism sessions reinforce this indoctrination. People must acknowledge their failures to meet party goals and report on others who don't strictly follow government directives. This creates a culture of constant surveillance, where neighbors spy on neighbors.
The depth of this psychological control became clear when leaders died. Their passing triggered widespread, genuine mourning as if a deity had died. Park's memories reveal how this system of idolization aimed to crush any thoughts of dissent or individuality from an early age.
Restrictions on Freedom
The North Korean government exerts absolute control over all aspects of citizens' lives. Speaking out against the regime, even mildly, could lead to imprisonment or worse. This created a culture of fear where people carefully monitored their words, even when alone.
Movement within the country was severely restricted. Leaving one's hometown required extensive paperwork and unofficial fees. The government tightly controlled information, banning foreign media and closely monitoring devices like radios and televisions.
Despite facing poverty and malnutrition, citizens couldn't speak out about these conditions for fear of government reprisals. Park learned to carefully choose her words, reflecting how deeply government surveillance intruded into personal spaces.
Park's Family Background
Yeonmi Park's family history played a crucial role in shaping her early life experiences and eventual escape from North Korea. Understanding her family's position in North Korean society provides important context for her story.
Family's Social Status
Park's family initially held a relatively privileged position within North Korea's rigid social hierarchy. Her father's military service placed them in the "core" class of the "songbun" system. Both her maternal and paternal grandfathers held positions that allowed them to maintain some wealth even as conditions in North Korea fluctuated.
However, this elevated status didn't shield the family from the country's instability. As economic conditions worsened, Park's father turned to unauthorized trading to make ends meet. Her mother also became accustomed to bartering goods and services.
The family's fortunes took a dramatic turn when Park's father was arrested for his illegal business activities. This event had far-reaching consequences, not only for their economic situation but also for their social standing. Suddenly, they found themselves associated with criminal activity, highlighting the severe impact that political imprisonment can have on entire families in North Korea.
Impact of Father's Imprisonment
The imprisonment of Park's father marked a difficult chapter in the family's life. His return from prison showed the severe toll incarceration had taken on both his physical and mental health. The family struggled to find food, stay warm, and maintain their dignity in the face of intense social stigma.
For young Yeonmi, her father's imprisonment forced her to confront harsh realities at an early age. She realized that the relatively comfortable life her family once enjoyed might be gone forever. In North Korea, a person's future is inextricably tied to their compliance with the state's strict requirements for loyalty and proper behavior.
This experience profoundly impacted Park's daily life, her hopes for the future, and how she interacted with those around her. It pushed her toward an early maturity, shaping her understanding of the world and her place in it.
Escape to China
Yeonmi Park's escape from North Korea marked the beginning of a harrowing journey filled with danger and exploitation. Her experiences shed light on the perils faced by many North Korean defectors.
Crossing the Border
On March 31, 2007, Park and her mother made their daring escape. With the help of a young North Korean and guards who had been bribed, they crossed the frozen Yalu River into China under cover of darkness.
Human traffickers played a crucial role in their initial journey. These individuals helped Park's pregnant mother across the river and guided them through mountainous terrain on rarely used paths. After crossing the border, a North Korean guide led Park and her mother to a broker's house in Chaingbai.
The trek was fraught with dangers, including wild animals and hallucinations from exhaustion. The ordeal culminated in a traumatic incident at a broker's shack in China, where Park's mother offered herself for sexual assault to protect her daughter.
Human Trafficking and Exploitation
Once in China, Park and her mother found themselves ensnared in human trafficking networks. They were viewed as commodities with monetary value and showcased to potential buyers. Park's mother was sold to a farmer for about $2,100 and forced to serve his entire family in slave-like conditions.
Park herself caught the attention of a man named Hongwei, who tried to lure her into becoming one of his mistresses with gifts. Hongwei exploited women, forcing them to work for meager wages. Many women in these circumstances endured sexual violence and exploitation, with some even considering prostitution as a means to financially support their families.
The family, separated by the traffickers, was sold to different buyers in China. Each member clung to the hope of eventual reunion, but the road ahead was long and difficult.
Search for Park's Sister
Throughout their ordeal in China, Park and her mother never stopped searching for Park's sister, Eunmi. This search was complicated by limited information and resources. They faced challenges like government suppression of information, traffickers concealing details, and false leads from people claiming to have found Eunmi just to collect reward money.
Their pursuit of Eunmi became intertwined with their struggle for survival and freedom. They adjusted their plans and altered their journey whenever new information came to light. Even when ill, Park's father remained determined to find Eunmi, underscoring the family's deep longing for reunion.
This relentless search finally paid off in a moment of overwhelming joy. Park's mother contacted her, elated with the news that Eunmi had arrived at South Korea's National Intelligence Center. This paved the way for an emotional family reunion, bringing their long and difficult journey full circle.
Adapting to Life in South Korea
After escaping North Korea and enduring a perilous journey through China, Yeonmi Park faced a new set of challenges as she tried to build a life in South Korea. Her experiences highlight the difficulties many North Korean defectors face when adjusting to life in a modern, democratic society.
Cultural and Linguistic Barriers
Park arrived in South Korea in early 2009 at the age of fifteen. She had no money and only about two years of elementary school education. Her Korean was limited and mixed with regional dialects and "Konglish," a blend of Korean and English that was unfamiliar to her.
The cultural differences were stark. Park was initially unaware of common institutions like public libraries. She struggled with South Korean social norms, such as the expectation for individual expression. These cultural gaps made everyday interactions challenging and often confusing.
Educational Challenges
The South Korean education system presented a significant hurdle for Park. She found herself confronted with subjects like history and mathematics taught without the ideological slant she was accustomed to in North Korea. She had to learn new concepts like the English alphabet and develop critical thinking skills that were fundamental to the South Korean academic environment.
Park's academic journey was an uphill battle. She had to condense over a decade of education into just a year and a half to catch up with her peers. This involved intensive self-study and a crash course in practical skills like computing and research methods.
Despite feeling unprepared and initially struggling with her college courses, Park's determination paid off. Through hard work and perseverance, she achieved academic success, ranking fourteenth among nearly ninety students in her class at Dongguk University.
Career Aspirations
Park's experiences shaped her career aspirations in unexpected ways. Her decision to enter the field of law enforcement, and possibly pursue a legal career, was driven by a desire to protect her mother from an aggressive pursuer. This goal was reinforced by her growing belief in the principles of justice, which deepened during her time at university.
Her choice to focus on law enforcement administration stemmed from both intellectual interest and a deep commitment to the principles of law and justice. Park recognized that her unique life experiences had given her insights that could enrich both her personal growth and the field at large.
Advocacy and Awareness
Yeonmi Park's journey from North Korean defector to global human rights advocate is a powerful testament to the impact one person can have in the face of oppression. Her commitment to exposing human rights abuses stems from her personal survival story and is driven by a desire to raise awareness about conditions in her homeland.
Sharing Her Story
Park has used her platform in media and public speaking to share her harrowing escape story and shed light on the hardships faced by those still living under the North Korean regime. She first gained attention on a South Korean television show called Now on My Way to Meet You, where she appeared under the alias Ye Ju to protect her family's safety in North Korea.
While the show presented a somewhat idealized version of her life, Park didn't shy away from sharing the more troubling aspects of her experiences. She participated in hopes of reconnecting with her distant sister and to provide support for others facing similar challenges after defection.
Park's emotional speech at the annual One Young World Summit in Dublin captivated a global audience. She described the harsh discipline and lack of privacy in North Korea, as well as the sexual violence her mother endured. Her decision to abandon her prepared remarks in favor of speaking from the heart resonated with many attendees and solidified her reputation as a champion for justice.
Confronting North Korean Propaganda
The North Korean government has responded to Park's advocacy efforts by denouncing her as a puppet for human rights causes and attempting to discredit her through smear campaigns. Despite the personal and political risks, Park has courageously continued to speak out. The government's intimidation tactics have only strengthened her resolve to expose the truth about life under North Korea's repressive regime.
Advocating for Human Rights
Park passionately works to expose the hardships faced by individuals under North Korea's oppressive regime and to reveal the wrongdoings of the authorities. After escaping and later reuniting with her sister, she has used her own story to raise global awareness. Through public speeches, press interviews, and her writings, Park boldly confronts authoritarian leadership.
Her commitment to human rights activism led her to co-author an opinion piece for The Washington Post with Casey Lartigue Jr., which significantly increased international awareness of North Korean human rights issues. As her profile grew, more people turned to her for guidance in representing North Korean defectors and engaging with global media platforms.
Supporting Other Defectors
Despite initial hesitations, Park embraced the opportunity to tell the untold stories of North Korean escapees. Her advocacy in this area has highlighted the urgent need for intervention, with her contributions being instrumental in elevating the issue to global prominence.
Her book, In Order to Live, recounts her harrowing journey as a victim of human trafficking and the severe trials she faced while escaping the North Korean regime. It provides a vivid portrayal of the grim challenges encountered by many who flee the regime. Park's transformation from a voiceless victim to a prominent human rights champion stands as an inspiring symbol and underscores the ongoing struggle for human rights in North Korea.