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🇰🇵 Thae Yong-ho: Interview with a North Korean defector l 101 East

Al Jazeera English

512,797 views

Thae Yong-ho, the former North Korean deputy ambassador to the UK, defected to South Korea with his family in 2016. He remains the highest-ranking diplomat ever to defect from North Korea.

In an interview with 101 East reporter Mary Ann Jolley in Seoul, he gives rare insights into the inner workings of the Kim Jong-un regime. Thae believes that a people's revolution will one day bring an end to the Kim family's dynastic rule.

The family members of defectors are often targeted by the North Korean regime.

Thae reveals that he does not know the fate of his siblings. "Even though I am physically and mentally free in South Korea, I still can't get rid of this nightmare of my family members," he says.

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20 Comments

@noikzgt9062 7 years ago

People complaining about his english, come back complaining when you can speak fluent korean

@Supermesoawesom 6 years ago

Man is sharing his life experience about escaping an oppressive government and all people can focus on is how well he speaks English

@highfrequency8234 8 years ago

He's a lot more articulate than a lot of native speakers that I know.

@Gabriel-lm7jw 8 years ago

This man is courageous, thoughtful, intelligent and intellectually honest. I wish more government officials around the world could be more like him.

@eleigh0920 7 years ago

This is one of the most informative interviews on North Korea I have ever heard. Fantastic piece

@gokaren420 7 years ago

Can't believe some commenters are complaining about the YOU KNOW in the conversation......focus on the importance of the information

@hughmungus5529 9 years ago

apart from saying "you know" for a thousand times he speaks perfect english

@cliffordsantillan6046 7 years ago

I was pretty surprised by his voice and accent. His English speaking accent and grammar is pretty good.

@Lyubov_Emily 8 years ago

English isn't his first language, he probably says "you know" when he's trying to think of the correct words to say like saying "uhh". You guys are too critical.😂
This is a clear, facinating account of someone in direct contact with the upper government management and how they've made a deliberate effort to keep the dictatoral status quo.

@ScottBrady06 7 years ago

Yes, he says “you know” a lot but he has a very advanced vocabulary that even most native speakers don’t have any idea on.

@evermore-n7r 8 years ago

HE speak well for the language that wasnt his native!

@dsgrbrowne1 5 years ago

People need to protect this man. I hope he is still alive after what he said.

@pagandeva2000 6 years ago

This is a brave man who expresses himself very well. And he articulates his story so many more can understand the problem with North Korea

@lauryn2868 5 years ago

When he says you know it’s actually comforting

@TheGaguur 9 years ago

Thae Yong-ho has done multiple interviews on Arirang TV youtube channel. His words seemed consistent. For those who despise his decision of leaving his family in North Korea, first of all, it's not an easy decision; secondly, he's apparently doing it for a greater good of his people, not for himself.

@Joe-oq5kd 7 years ago

More people are focusing on his "you knows" rather than his first hand opinions about the regime. It's really interesting to know the opinions of someone who was there. His English seems to be practically native level in terms of ability to communicate and understand.

@superswiftest 7 years ago

very talented man , he knows the internal network and stuffs in his country , well respected !!!

@RedDeadRedemption2NoTalking 5 years ago

How in the world does this not have more views ?

@smoothandbold 9 years ago

I do this is Portuguese, too...I unknowingly tack "sabe" or "you know" onto the end of phrases to gain a second to think of a word and loosen myself up. Remembering little bouncy verbal tics like that would help my fluency by keeping me grounded in the rhythms of speaking out loud, instead of getting lost in the conjugation tables in my head...but, sometimes I would fixate on just one of those phrases and it would start to sound weird. I feel you, Yong-ho. Your English on point, bro. Thanks so much for risking your life to bring us these incredible insights.