Ridiculous History CLASSIC: The American Soldiers Who Defected to North Korea and Became Movie Stars
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Nov 1, 2025 Explore the bizarre journeys of American soldiers who defected to North Korea, chasing fame in the film industry. Discover the story of Sergeant Charles Jenkins, who crossed the DMZ for stardom, and learn about the role of defectors in North Korean propaganda films. From forced indoctrination to cult-like conditions, the discussion dives into the motives behind their choices. Uncover the strange world of North Korean cinema and Kim Jong-il's obsession with film, along with the contrasting experiences of those who regret their decisions.
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Drunk Desertion Across The DMZ
- Sergeant Charles Robert Jenkins drunkenly walked across a minefield and defected to North Korea in 1965.
- He survived by luck and later became a North Korean resident and propaganda actor after extensive indoctrination.
Film Obsession Fueled Propaganda Casting
- Kim Jong-il obsessively pushed North Korea's film industry and used foreign defectors as on-screen enemies.
- The regime cast American defectors as convincing villains to fuel nationalist propaganda.
Several U.S. Soldiers Became DPRK Celebrities
- Multiple U.S. soldiers including Larry Abshear, James Dresnok, Jerry Parrish and Joseph White defected across the DMZ in different years.
- North Korea used them in magazines and films to preach to soldiers south of the DMZ and portray life there as joyful.
