Hello! I read your book, "The Aquariums of Pyongyang" all in one night. I couldn't put it down. Truly terrifying story that I still think of this day when discussing DPRK issues. Anyway, my question is maybe a bit insensitive but bear with me... Recently some defectors, such as Shin Dong-hyuk have admitted parts of their story have been fabricated or exaggerated. Given the already terrible nature of what REALLY happened, why do you think they feel the need to make up some things? It risks discrediting not only them, but other defectors and worst of all, casts doubt by some on the brutality of the regime in general. Is exaggerating the truth so common in the DPRK for survival that people don't feel wrongly about doing it?
neko819936 karma
Hello! I read your book, "The Aquariums of Pyongyang" all in one night. I couldn't put it down. Truly terrifying story that I still think of this day when discussing DPRK issues. Anyway, my question is maybe a bit insensitive but bear with me... Recently some defectors, such as Shin Dong-hyuk have admitted parts of their story have been fabricated or exaggerated. Given the already terrible nature of what REALLY happened, why do you think they feel the need to make up some things? It risks discrediting not only them, but other defectors and worst of all, casts doubt by some on the brutality of the regime in general. Is exaggerating the truth so common in the DPRK for survival that people don't feel wrongly about doing it?
View HistoryShare Link