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Mic Drop: A former North Korean IT worker speaks

13 snips
May 30, 2025
A defector from North Korea shares harrowing experiences of life within an oppressive regime and its secretive cyber army. Learn how IT workers are dispatched overseas under strict surveillance, often forced to create spyware and launder money. The emotional journey highlights the shift from seeing North Koreans as enemies to understanding them as victims. Personal stories reveal the impact of propaganda and the longing for reunification, while shedding light on the sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom.
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ANECDOTE

Life of a North Korean IT Worker

  • Kim Ji-min was a North Korean IT worker sent abroad to scam the world on behalf of the government.
  • He experienced life under constant pressure and surveillance while forced into cyber operations.
INSIGHT

IT Workers as Prisoners

  • North Korean IT workers hacking companies are prisoners themselves under severe stress and isolation.
  • Their work is monitored and any failure results in replacement or punishment.
INSIGHT

Changing Views on North Koreans

  • South Koreans often see North Koreans as enemies due to propaganda.
  • But many realize North Koreans are victims of their oppressive regime, not true enemies.
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