I am a recent defector from North Korea, joined by

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Update 1: Thanks everyone for the awesome questions! It sounds like our friend SH is running out of steam and I imagine our colleagues in Seoul have some sore typing fingers, so we're going to have to sign off for now. They'll try to stop by later on and fill in any gaps, but see the links below for more info on how you can help and be sure to follow @LibertyinNK and @aym for ongoing info about North Korea and digital human rights activism, respectively. Please share widely, and until the next time!

Hey Folks, Movements.org here for this AMA. This is JJ at the keyboard and we are joined tonight (or this morning in a chilly Seoul) by an incredible organization Liberty in North Korea: LiNK who is sitting beside (and providing translation for) our friend Sang-hyun who recently escaped from North Korea. Because of the ongoing danger involved in making this passage and the constant threat of retribution, we are not using Sang-hyun's real name, and the best proof we can offer of his identity is a Tweet from both organizations here: Movements.org and LINK. Over the next hour-and-a-half, Sang-hyun will be available to answer any question you have about North Korea-- our goal is to get past the headlines about nukes and sanctions that have bombarded us these past few weeks and understand a bit better what the people living inside the most repressive regime in the world are dealing with every day.

We hope you'll forgive the intermediary nature of this AMA, but responses coming from Movements_Guest will be coming directly from LiNK and Sang-hyun himself.

Movements.org provides support to human rights activists using digital tools to fight repression and helps amplify those voices around the world who are calling for freedom. While we've done a number of activist chats on Twitter, this is our first Reddit AMA, and over the next few months we hope to bring you more opportunities to speak directly with those fighting on the front lines for basic human rights. For a bit more background on this AMA, and to Join Us, visit: Movements.org.

Want to make a difference for Sang-hyun and other people trying to escape North Korea? See below for more info about LiNK and how you can help:

Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) is the only full-time grassroots organization in North America devoted to the North Korean human rights and humanitarian crises. LiNK provides protection and aid to North Korean refugees hiding in China and, utilizing a modern-day underground railroad through Southeast Asia, rescues refugees and helps them to reach freedom. LiNK’s global grassroots movement works to redefine public perception on North Korea, shifting attention away from the politics and onto the people, and provides a way for concerned citizens to come alongside the North Korean people and help bring about positive change. LiNK also works to develop people-focused strategies that will have the potential to promote change inside North Korea in the long term. Learn more and support LiNK here: LibertyinNorthKorea.org

Let's get to your questions!

Comments: 2608 • Responses: 5 • Date: 2013-02-19 23:48:49 UTCsource

wjcgibson352 karma2013-02-20 00:05:42 UTC

How do you think the average North Korean would react upon getting out of the DPRK and being exposed to the rest of the world (for example, reading a non-state news website)? What do you think the best way is to introduce the outside world to North Koreans who are able to get out?

I am a recent defector from North Korea, joined by Movements.org and Liberty in North Korea (LiNK)... ask me anything!