Joo Il Yong (pictured left) may seem like your typical 22-year-old university student, rolling up to campus on his motorbike in his ripped jeans, with a helmet and backpack. But what sets him apart is that he is a North Korean defector now studying politics and diplomacy at Korea University in Seoul. After growing up in Chongjin, North Hamgyong Province, Joo made his way to the South in 2009 and went on to graduate from a foreign language high school. “I’m a Hamgyong guy called Joo Il Yong, and my dream is to become a human rights lawyer,” he said as he sat down for an interview with Daily NK.
Borrowing the term from the popular moniker “Busan Guy,” Joo introduces himself with the same kind of confidence you would expect from a New Yorker referring to themselves as “Brooklyn Boy.” And he carries the confidence to match, openly discussing his studies and his personal life, though he tells us that it has been a learning process since becoming a South Korean citizen.
Just 13 years old when he first arrived, Joo had to deal with discrimination and cold treatment on numerous occasions in South Korean society. He knew before leaving that people in the South lived better than those in the North and that cultural differences between the two societies would be great, but says he could not have predicted the sheer degree to which they are different.
However, Joo built his confidence by choosing not to hide his identity, opting instead to be open and honest with his classmates about where he was from. He did well in school and his teachers took notice. As he approached the end of middle school, one of his teachers suggested that he apply for a foreign language high school. It was quite uncommon for North Koreans to attend these special schools, and it was a big step for him at the time.
Foreign language high schools are considered some of the most prestigious schools in the extremely competitive education system of South Korea. Joo was apprehensive at the idea of applying, but he had improved his English skills by regularly talking with foreign students attending his church each week. Half nervous and half excited, Joo applied and waited for the results that would determine his fate. Upon receiving acceptance, he attained the status as sort of a ‘golden child’ – the envy of other moms in the neighborhood.
Joo studied extremely hard for the midterms in his first semester at the foreign language high school, but somehow received the poorest grades in the class. His friends and family recognized how hard he worked, but others simply assumed he was a fluke, wondering whether he was taking his studies seriously. In the face of the criticisms, he doubled down on his efforts and resolved to improve his grades.
Coming into his own at age 17
Joo was afraid at first of being known only as ‘that defector student,’ having been introduced as the ‘first of his kind’ from the beginning. He became acutely aware of his own behavior, afraid that others would interpret any idiosyncrasies as ‘North Korean’. But he pressed on, asking his classmates for help with his schoolwork and engaging them at every opportunity. Not only was he focused on improving his grades, he was also determined to become a regular and respected member of the student body. He soon found himself becoming closer to his classmates.
This particular age can often be difficult for young people in South Korea too. Joo saw an opportunity to connect with other students by volunteering to be a ‘peer counselor’, where he was able to discuss the differences in how students from both societies deal with the challenges of adolescence.
The South Korean students were often surprised when Joo would tell them of the relatively unambiguous path of a young person in the North, where one’s life is all but determined from birth. While kids in South Korea engage in extreme competition from an early age, those in the North understand that no matter how hard they study, if their parents are farmers, they are destined to become a farmer as well.
At the same time, it was an opportunity to learn from them about the unfamiliar and sometimes bewildering aspects of South Korean society. He learned about the often contentious parent-child relationship, the pressure to do well in school, and the nuances of young friendship groups and how they ‘hang out’. Though difficult at first, he was determined to create a better understanding between himself and his peers.
Working for North Korean human rights and dreams of becoming a human rights lawyer
Since high school, Joo has been an active member of the North Korean human rights community, joining student clubs and participating in activities.
Beginning in his sophomore year, he co-founded a North Korean human rights club called ‘Wave’ with some other classmates. His goal was to learn more about what has to be done to improve human rights in North Korea, and set out to gain as much experience in the field as he could while preparing to apply for university. The club started with just 4 students, but as more joined, Joo and the others were able to expand their activities.
Joo then joined the student organization Libertas at Korea University, which focuses on bringing together North and South Korean students to work towards improving human rights. He is also focused on helping other defector students navigate the difficult aspects of life in the South, such as entrance exams and writing self introduction pieces for their applications. But he admits that he sometimes wonders if his contributions are making a difference. “No matter how hard I work, will I really be able to personally change anything?” he asks. And yet, he presses on.
Through it all, after living on both sides of the divide and experiencing each culture, Joo continues to stress the oneness of the Korean people as a whole. He is fighting to end discrimination and help people understand that just because the North Korean regime commits unspeakable atrocities, it does not mean that the North Korean people are bad. He also wishes to express his gratitude to the South Korean government for their work to help North Korean defectors.
As Joo confidently explains his determination to work for North Korean human rights and to someday become a human rights lawyer, it becomes evident that this “Hamgyong Guy” is a true representative of North Koreans, and that he will go on to achieve his goals.
※This article was made possible in part from funding by the Korea Press Foundation
