PDF Summary:In Order to Live, by Yeonmi Park and Maryanne Vollers

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 In Order to Live, 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.

(continued)...

Discover the vast landscapes within China.

As she escaped from North Korea, Yeonmi Park encountered the perils linked to the illicit trade of humans within China.

Entering China

The reliance on individuals implicated in the illicit trade of human beings.

Yeonmi Park and her mother, with the assistance of a young North Korean, managed to traverse the icy Yalu River into China under the cover of darkness on March 31, 2007, having secured the guards' cooperation through bribery for a secure crossing. Individuals engaged in trafficking are instrumental in swiftly assisting the expectant mother with her river crossing and also facilitate her journey over mountainous regions using infrequently traveled paths. Yeonmi and her mother, after crossing the border, were escorted by a North Korean guide to a broker's home in Chaingbai, highlighting the crucial role that traffickers play in their journey.

The sexual assault incident that her mother experienced caused significant trauma.

The trek is fraught with peril, including wild animals and hallucinations due to exhaustion. It culminates when, at a broker's shack in China, Yeonmi's mother offers herself to a sexual assault to protect her daughter. The family, ensnared by traffickers, was then dispersed through sale in China, with each member holding onto the hope of eventual reunion.

Experiences connected to "the illegal trade of humans for exploitation," and a lady who had been.

Yeonmi and her mother were confronted with the harsh reality that marriage was a necessity for them to stay in China. Individuals were viewed as entities with financial value and subsequently showcased to prospective purchasers. The farmer purchases Yeonmi's mother for approximately $2,100, and she is compelled to serve the entire family in a manner akin to enslavement. Yeonmi also caught the eye of a man named Hongwei, who showered her with gifts in an attempt to coax her into becoming part of his group of mistresses.

Forced labor and sexual servitude

Hongwei exploits the women, compelling them to work for meager wages, including those who were brought over from the Chinese frontier. Women facing these circumstances endure sexual violence and exploitation, with some even indicating a willingness to turn to prostitution as a means to financially sustain their loved ones.

She persisted in her search for her lost sibling.

Lack of information and resources

Throughout their ordeal, Yeonmi and her mother persistently searched for Yeonmi's sister, Eunmi. With limited information and resources, they confront challenges like government suppression, traffickers concealing details, and deceptive tips from individuals who falsely professed to have located her solely to secure the financial reward.

A longing to bring the family back together.

Their relentless pursuit of Eunmi is intertwined with their fight to stay alive and achieve liberty, adapting their rewards and altering their journey whenever new insights come to light. Despite his illness, Yeonmi's father remains unwavering in his determination to locate Eunmi, highlighting the family's deep yearning to be reunited. Ultimately, their steadfast resolve culminates in a moment of overwhelming happiness when Yeonmi's mother contacts her, brimming with elation, to share the news that Eunmi has arrived at South Korea's National Intelligence Center, paving the way for a heartfelt family reunion.

Adapting to the South Korean way of life.

Upon reaching South Korea, Yeonmi Park and her mother were faced with a multitude of adjustments.

Adjustment challenges in a new society

Cultural and linguistic obstacles

At the age of fifteen, Yeonmi Park arrived in South Korea during the early months of 2009, with no money and only a basic education equivalent to about two years of elementary school, as well as a limited understanding of Korean interspersed with regional dialects and "Konglish," a blend of Korean and English that was new to her. Initially, Park was unaware of the existence of community lending libraries. Cultural practices such as a propensity for individual expression also presented challenges.

Lags in scholarly pursuits.

Schools in South Korea provided a syllabus that included topics like history and mathematics, taught without the ideological slant that Park had previously experienced. Additionally, she had to grasp new concepts like the ABC alphabet and become adept at expressing her thoughts, a fundamental part of the scholarly environment typical in South Korea. The protagonist was confronted with the challenging endeavor of assimilating into an educational system that surpassed her previous experiences in complexity and rigor.

Pursuit of higher education and professional goals

Park pursued higher education with a steadfast commitment to success. However, her academic journey was fraught with challenges, including the necessity to become accustomed to the strenuous demands of collegiate studies, which led to the realization that gaining practical skills in computing and research was crucial. Park dedicated himself to a rigorous program of self-study, condensing over a decade's worth of education into a mere year and a half, with the goal of earning credentials that would confirm her knowledge was on par with a high school graduate's.

Despite feeling unprepared and initially struggling with her college courses, Park's determination and hard work paid off as she achieved academic success, ranking fourteenth among nearly ninety students in her class. Additionally, her decision to enter the field of law enforcement and possibly the legal profession was driven by her dedication to protect her mother against an aggressive pursuer and by her increasingly firm belief in the principles of justice, which intensified during her time at Dongguk University.

Her choice to focus on the administration of law enforcement was driven by an intellectual interest and a deep commitment to the principles of law and justice, acknowledging that her unique life experiences had endowed her with insights that enriched her personal growth and the field at large.

Yeonmi's dedication to promoting awareness and her outspoken advocacy efforts

Yeonmi Park's remarkable journey to freedom from North Korea and her subsequent rise as a worldwide human rights champion demonstrates the power of one person's resolve against tyranny. Her commitment to highlighting human rights violations stems from her personal survival story and is fueled by the ambition to raise awareness of these matters within her homeland.

Gaining a voice through media and public speaking

She shared her personal narrative to heighten public consciousness.

Yeonmi Park leverages her influential position in the media and public conversations to share the harrowing story of her escape, shedding light on the hardships faced by those still living under the North Korean regime. She first gained attention when she appeared on a South Korean television show known as "Now on My Way to Meet You," using the alias Ye Ju to protect her family's security in North Korea. The insights shared by Park shed light on the struggles faced by defectors, leading to a reassessment of the prevailing perceptions among South Koreans.

Even though the show depicted her life with a certain level of idealization, Yeonmi did not shy away from sharing the more troubling aspects of her experiences. She aimed to repair the bond with her distant sibling by taking part and to also be a reliable pillar of strength for individuals confronting similar difficulties after they had departed.

Yeonmi's gripping narrative of her life's odyssey deeply moved the attendees at the annual One Young World Summit in Dublin, captivating a global audience. She recounted the severe disciplinary actions and lack of privacy in North Korea, as well as the traumatic experience her mother suffered due to sexual violence, emphasizing the specific vulnerability faced by those who flee North Korea, particularly women who encounter even higher dangers. Park's choice to abandon her scripted remarks in favor of an impromptu address that came straight from her emotions struck a chord with numerous attendees and solidified her reputation as a champion for fairness.

Confronting the belligerent behavior exhibited by the leadership of North Korea.

North Korea's government responded to Yeonmi's advocacy efforts by denouncing her as a puppet for human rights causes and attempted to discredit her through slanderous attacks. Despite the personal and political risks, Yeonmi courageously continued to express her viewpoints. Her resolve to expose the truth about life under North Korea's repressive government only grew stronger in the face of the government's intimidation tactics.

Advocating for the protection of individual freedoms in North Korea.

The ambition to be a voice for the marginalized.

Yeonmi Park passionately commits to shedding light on the hardships faced by individuals under the oppressive regime of North Korea and to revealing the wrongdoings of the authorities. After escaping and subsequently reconnecting with her sister, Park utilized her own story to heighten global consciousness. Park boldly confronts autocratic leadership by delivering public speeches and expressing her views through interviews with the press and her published writings.

Yeonmi, through her unwavering commitment to human rights activism, joined forces with Casey Lartigue Jr. to author an opinion article for The Washington Post, which greatly heightened international consciousness of the hardships faced by the people of North Korea. As her reputation grew, an increasing number of people turned to her for guidance in representing North Korean defectors and for engaging with global media platforms.

Ongoing efforts to assist and support defectors

Despite her initial hesitations, Park embraced the opportunity to reveal the untold stories of individuals who escaped the harsh rule in North Korea. Her advocacy in this field has underscored the urgent necessity for intervention, with her contributions being pivotal 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, offering a vivid portrayal of the grim challenges encountered by many who flee the regime. The transformation of Park from a victim who was once voiceless to a prominent champion for human rights stands as a symbol of inspiration and underscores the persistent fight for human rights within North Korea.