Park Yeon-mi

Park Yeon-mi, also known as Yeonmi Park, is a North Korean defector, author, and human rights activist who has become a prominent voice in advocating for freedom and justice. Born in Hyesan, North Korea, in 1993, she fled the oppressive regime at the age of 13. Her journey took her through China, where she faced severe hardships, including being trafficked, before eventually reaching South Korea and later the United States.

In 2015, Park published her memoir, In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom, which has sold over 100,000 copies and brought global attention to the plight of North Korean defectors. She has since become a sought-after speaker, delivering powerful testimonies at international forums such as the One Young World Summit and TEDx, and has appeared on various media platforms to discuss human rights issues.

Among her impactful quotes, Park has said, "We all have our own deserts. They may not be the same as my desert, but we all have to cross them to find a purpose in life and be free." Another poignant reflection is, "It amazed me how quickly a lie loses its power in the face of truth." These words encapsulate her resilience and unwavering commitment to truth and freedom.