Escaping from North Korea: A Defector's Story

When famine struck North Korea in the 1990s, Joseph Kim was five years old. In the years that followed, the Great Famine killed millions, including Joseph’s father. His mother and sister disappeared, seeking to escape to China, and Joseph was left to survive alone and homeless. After years living on the streets and, for a time, in a detention center and labor camp, Joseph fled to China as well. Through the kindness of strangers, he eventually found his way to the United States.

Joseph will share his story and talk about his new book, Under the Same Sky: From Starvation in North Korea to Salvation in America, which documents his experiences in North Korea, his long and difficult journey to the United States, and his life here today as a student, an author and a refugee.

This program is presented in partnership with the World Affairs Council. **For Asia Society Member discount code, please email marias@asiasociety.org

Speakers:

Joseph Kim, North Korea Defector; Author, Under the Same Sky

Daniel C. Sneider (moderator), Associate Director for Research, Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Stanford University

Program Agenda:

6:30 - 7:00 pm: Registration

7:00 - 8:00 pm: Discussion