North Koreans are forbidden from making contact with the outside world. But what happens when one family decides they want to leave?
Our Seoul Correspondent Jean Mackenzie tells us the story of one defector who we're calling Mr Kim. He and his relatives made a dangerous escape from the tyrannical state in a boat and are now adjusting to life in South Korea.
The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We’re keen to hear from you wherever you are in the world.
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Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Alice Aylett Roberts, Neal Razzell and Beth Timmins. The technical producers were Ricardo McCarthy and Jonny Hall. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.