Lee So-yeon (defector)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
.jpg)
Lee So-yeon (Korean: 이소연) was born in North Korea, probably in 1976, to a university professor father. Her hometown is Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea.[1] She joined the army in 1992 in order to get more food and other rations.[2] She successfully defected to South Korea on her second attempt and has been active in supporting other defectors, including the support group New Korea Women's Union.
Lee served in the North Korean army as a sergeant for about 10 years. She was taught to revile Americans; that they were jackals, vampires, and barbarians. The goal was to make South Korea a "sea of fire" and America a "pile of ashes."[3]
While in the army, Lee was stationed in South Hwanghae Province in an all-woman division. Her job was to relay coordinates from the front line to commanders operating artillery pointed at South Korea. She was hungry even in the army.[3] She returned to her hometown of Hoeryeong, along the border with China, upon her discharge from the army.[1] The average soldier was proud of North Korea's nuclear weapons. She said North Korea does not have the power to defeat America. She witnessed a lot of sexual abuse and violence against female soldiers while in the Army.[2] Lee describes Donald Trump as a "cool guy" because he has "guts" and stands up to North Korea.[3]