Darknet Diaries 71: Information Monopoly
Aug 4, 2020
Yeonmi Park, a North Korean defector and human rights advocate, shares her harrowing escape story from a totalitarian regime. Alongside Alex Gladstein, Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation, they discuss the innovative ways of smuggling information into North Korea, like using USB drives to access banned content. The conversation dives into the severe realities of life under oppression, the risks defectors face, and how technology serves as a beacon of hope for those seeking freedom. It's a compelling exploration of resilience and the fight against censorship.
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Yeonmi Park's Escape
- Yeonmi Park, born in North Korea in 1993, escaped to South Korea at 13.
- She faced starvation, human trafficking, and the loss of her father during her escape.
North Korean History and Control
- North Korea's regime controls information and resources to maintain power.
- The country's history is marked by Soviet influence, famine, and a strict caste system.
Titanic's Impact
- Watching the film Titanic introduced Yeonmi to the concept of love, challenging North Korean ideology.
- This experience sparked her realization that the outside world might not be as bad as portrayed.
