Lee Cheol Eun, a defector and former officer of the North Korean Ministry of State Security, is being interviewed at a cafe in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

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There is a young man who risked his life to swim across the sea and defect from North Korea. His first dream was to become a soldier in the South Korean military. Why would he aspire to such a tough job? This is the story of Lee Cheol-eun, 37, a former officer (Senior Lieutenant) of the South Hwanghae Provincial Security Department under the Ministry of State Security.

The Ministry of State Security is a secret police and intelligence agency directly under the North Korean Chairman, not subject to Cabinet control. You could think of it as the "North Korean version of the National Intelligence Service." What shook Lee's heart enough to abandon his guaranteed life and throw himself into the sea was the voice of the President of South Korea addressing the "North Korean people."

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"To all officials and residents of North Korea! Unification will offer everyone a new opportunity to be treated equally, without any discrimination or disadvantage, to fully develop your abilities, and to pursue happiness." (From President Park Geun-hye's speech at the 71st Liberation Day in August 2016)

Lee, who was deeply troubled by the absurdities of North Korea, decided to defect in September of that year after hearing this speech, and jumped into the West Sea with a friend. Swept by waves, he reached a deserted island, made a makeshift raft, and set out to sea again. After twenty hours, a patrol boat appeared. That was the moment the dream of becoming a "soldier" was engraved in his mind.

Lee recalls the Taegeukgi (South Korean flag) he saw on the sea eight years ago. He said, "In North Korea, we wear a badge with the portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il on the left chest, meaning 'Live only for the Kim family until your heart stops beating.'" He continued, "But South Korean soldiers had something white on their arms, and when I looked closely, it was the Taegeukgi. I was moved, realizing these people truly protect their own country."

After safely defecting, Lee asked during the joint interrogation, "How can I enlist in the military?" The NIS agent who heard this laughed and said, "Oh no, that's not possible." Although he didn't become a soldier as he wished, Lee recalls the touching memory every time he gives lectures at military units. He said, "I often think that I can live comfortably because our soldiers are reliably protecting our country."

Lee Cheol Eun, a defector from the North Korean Security Department, is being interviewed at a cafe in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province on the 15th. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

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Lee was born into a "security department family." In other words, his background, known as "foundation," was verified, and he was guaranteed a relatively stable life. Following in his father's footsteps, he joined the security department and was assigned to the 109 Combined Command (109 Sangmu). This organization cracks down on illicit recordings such as South Korean dramas and was a source of fear for residents. The name 109 (Baekgongu) comes from the date Kim Jong-il issued the order: October 9, 2003.

Although his job was to inspect illicit recordings, he had even more opportunities to access external media. No one would dare crack down on the home of a security officer. He said, "In Hwanghae Province, which is close to the South, South Korean TV signals were stronger than those from Korean Central TV. Even if the international radio detection bureau fixed the channels or sent jamming signals, they couldn't beat the South Korean signals." It was even possible to watch South Korean dramas and variety shows in real time.

Lee said, "I remember the spy movie '007' with James Bond. Strangely, people in our country don't know it well, but I really liked a movie called 'Pokryeok Circle' (Violent Circle)." The 2006 film 'Pokryeok Circle' was a fresh shock to him. Scenes of wandering high school students forming a group called 'Tiger' to fight, or getting into brawls with soldiers, were unimaginable in the environment he lived in.

On the 1st, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile eastward. Citizens are watching news related to the North Korean missile launch in the Seoul Station waiting room. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

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As a "censor," Lee explained how thoroughly the North Korean authorities monitor residents. Even among neighbors, there are informants (spies) planted by the security department, so if they wanted, they could immediately find out who watched which illicit recording. In other words, neighbors are made to monitor each other.

Chairman Kim Jong-un even enacted the "Law on Rejecting Reactionary Ideology and Culture" in December 2020. This draconian law punishes residents for watching South Korean dramas and imposes the death penalty for distribution.

Lee pointed out that, while it is true that people are punished if caught watching South Korean dramas in North Korea, it is distorted information to think that everyone is executed or receives brutal punishment every time. If someone is caught as an "example," they are severely punished, but usually, people get out by paying bribes.

He said, "If everyone were executed every time they got caught, would there be anyone left alive in North Korea?" This shows how common it is for residents to access Hallyu and external information.

In the same vein, Lee cautioned against "exaggerated information." To properly deal with North Korea, we need to know the facts accurately. He said, "Some people claim North Koreans don't even know what a centimeter is or that everyone is about to starve to death, but that's not true," adding, "It's not desirable for exaggerated or incorrect information to spread."

Lee Cheol Eun, a defector from the North Korean Ministry of State Security, is being interviewed at a cafe in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province on the 15th. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

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Lee threw himself into anything to adapt to South Korean society. He worked for several years as a tile worker at construction sites and, after studying hard, worked in the real estate industry. Now, he shares "real stories" about North Korea through various broadcasts and YouTube channels. True to his background as a security officer, he sometimes shares the "latest information" obtained from informants still in North Korea. He is also preparing to enter graduate school to study the issue of "unification" more deeply.

His efforts to provide accurate information about North Korea are also driven by a desire to change the negative and incorrect perceptions about defectors. He is still troubled by the perception that defectors are merely recipients of aid, or by remarks suggesting that it would be better to bring in Southeast Asian workers than accept defectors.

When asked for a final message, Lee smiled shyly and said, "Defectors are South Korean citizens who pay taxes just like everyone else." He added, "Defectors are proud to be citizens of South Korea. We are the same people and the same human beings. I hope people will look at us with open hearts."