Marine veteran Christopher Ahn shares his experiences in helping North Korean defectors escape to the West through the Chosen Institute. He discusses offering emotional support and protection to Kim Jong-nam's son, Kim Han-sol, and the dangers he faces due to his involvement. The podcast explores his family's immigrant background, the risks defectors take, and the complex operations involved in aiding those seeking asylum.
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Quick takeaways
Christopher Ahn provided emotional support and protection for Kim Han-sol, facing life-threatening risks.
Adrian Hong's Choson Institute aims to prepare for a post-regime scenario in North Korea.
Christopher Ahn's role in assisting North Korean defectors highlights the courage needed for a better life.
Deep dives
Jordan Harbinger Show Overview
The Jordan Harbinger Show features long-form conversations with diverse guests, from spies to CEOs, athletes to authors, all aimed at providing practical advice to improve one's life. The show covers a wide range of topics like negotiation, psychology, cyber warfare, and more, offering listeners insights from a variety of fascinating individuals.
Personal Growth Amid Adversity
Christopher On's life took a drastic turn when his father's sudden death left his family in financial crisis. At 17, he had to step up, managing the family business and facing immense responsibility. His journey from a high school student to a Marine Corps reservist highlighted resilience and determination amidst hardships, reflecting his growth from a teenager to a responsible adult.
Involvement in North Korean Humanitarian Efforts
Adrian Hong's initiative, the Choson Institute, aimed to compile knowledge and resources to potentially support North Korea in a post-regime scenario. The focus was on preparing infrastructure and resources to facilitate a smoother transition should the country experience a regime change. The assassination of Kim Jong Nam led to the urgent need for strategies to support potential successors like Kim Jong Nam's son in navigating safety and security threats.
Organizing a Rescue Mission in Taiwan
A kid from North Korea reaches out for help after his father is murdered, and his life is in danger. Adrian, an individual with a network of contacts, including government officials and lawyers, plans a rescue. He contacts Christopher, who agrees to meet the endangered family in Taiwan to provide safety and support during their escape, despite the risks involved.
Providing Emotional Support in High-Stakes Situations
Christopher's experience in calming executives in stressful situations prepares him to emotionally support the North Korean family during their potential defection. With a dedicated team of ordinary people brought together by shared compassion, they assist defectors in perilous situations, emphasizing empathy, understanding, and courage in the face of life-threatening decisions.
Marine veteran Christopher Ahn explains why he got involved with helping North Koreans defect to the West, and how this has put him in danger. [Part 1/2]
What We Discuss with Christopher Ahn:
Christopher Ahn, a Korean-American Marine veteran, became involved in helping North Korean defectors escape through an organization called the Chosen Institute, founded by Adrian Hong.
In 2017, after the assassination of Kim Jong-un's half-brother Kim Jong-nam, Christopher was called upon to provide emotional support and protection for Kim Han-sol, Kim Jong-nam's son, who feared for his life.
Christopher met with Kim Han-sol and his family in Taiwan, providing them with a sense of safety and comfort while the Chosen Institute worked on a plan to find asylum for them.
Christopher's role in these operations was to offer emotional support and guidance to the defectors, drawing from his own family's experience as immigrants and his understanding of the immense courage it takes to leave everything behind for a chance at a better life.
In the second half of this two-part episode, we'll learn more about the part Christopher played in the 2019 incident at the North Korean embassy in Madrid for which he is facing life-threatening extradition.