Born: 1947 (Chongjin, North Korea)
Lee Soon-ok (born 1947 in Chongjin, North Korea) is a North Korean defector and author, known for her powerful memoir and her advocacy for human rights in North Korea. Her book, Eyes of the Tailless Animals: Prison Memoirs of a North Korean Woman, sheds light on her harrowing experiences of imprisonment, torture, and eventual escape from the oppressive regime. Her resilient spirit and unwavering determination to share her story have made her a prominent figure in the fight against human rights abuses in North Korea.
In her earlier years, Lee was a manager in a North Korean government office responsible for distributing goods and materials to the country’s people. However, her life took a dramatic turn when she was falsely accused of dishonesty in her job. Lee believes that she was caught in the crossfire of a power struggle between the Workers’ Party and the public security bureau police. What followed was a nightmare of unimaginable proportions.
After her arrest, Lee endured months of severe torture and threats while maintaining her innocence. The interrogators made false promises to spare her husband and son from any harm if she confessed, which ultimately pushed her to plead guilty to the charges. As a result, she was sentenced to six years of imprisonment in the notorious Kaechon concentration camp.
During her time in the camp, Lee witnessed and experienced unspeakable atrocities. She reported instances of forced abortions, infanticide, rape, public executions, and even the testing of biological weapons on prisoners. The camp subjected its inmates to extreme malnutrition and subjected them to inhumane conditions and deprivation. Lee’s firsthand account provided valuable insights into the brutality and disregard for human life within the North Korean prison system.
After her release, Lee wrote several letters to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, detailing the cruel treatment she endured in the camp. However, her pleas for justice and acknowledgment went unanswered. In fact, she was even threatened with unspecified consequences if she continued to write such letters. Determined to secure a better future for herself and her son, Lee made the difficult decision to escape from North Korea.
Lee’s journey to freedom was perilous, but she managed to reunite with her son and make their way through China to South Korea in 1995. Along the way, she found solace in her newfound Christian faith, which provided her with strength and hope during the darkest times.
Since escaping North Korea, Lee has dedicated her life to shedding light on the human rights abuses perpetrated by the North Korean regime. Her memoir, Eyes of the Tailless Animals: Prison Memoirs of a North Korean Woman, has become a powerful tool in raising awareness and advocating for change. Lee has testified before the US Congress and has spoken at churches worldwide, sharing her story and advocating for the rights of political prisoners in North Korea.
Lee’s courage and resilience have not gone unnoticed. Alongside fellow North Korean prison camp internees Kang Chol-Hwan and An Hyuk, she received the Democracy Award from the American non-profit organization National Endowment for Democracy. This recognition highlights her significant contributions to the advancement of human rights and democracy in North Korea.
Lee Soon-ok’s unwavering commitment to exposing the truth and fighting for justice has made her a beacon of hope for countless individuals suffering under the oppressive regime of North Korea. Her story serves as a vivid reminder of the power of resilience, compassion, and the indomitable human spirit.