Lim Il is a 49-year-old professional writer who first came to South Korea from Pyongyang in 2005. Over the last twelve years, Lim has participated in international writing competitions, written for magazines and newspapers, and authored 9 books of his own. Though he sometimes has to make sacrifices as many so-called starving artists do, Lim feels his work is too important to ignore.
Lim Il is fighting for the basic rights of the millions of people living in North Korea, where access to information about the outside world is systematically blocked by the Kim regime, and where a lifetime of ideological education hampers intellectual progress. Recently, Lim has been writing a column entitled, ‘A Letter to Kim Jong Un from Lim Il,’ in which he implores the leader of the country to resolve the suffering of the people of North Korea.
Seeking asylum after assignment in Kuwait
Lim was considered privileged in North Korea, growing up with relatively fewer hardships in Pyongyang. After graduating in 1984, he went on to work for 8 years in various positions for the Social Safety Agency and the Building Management Office. But during the 1980s in North Korea, even a person living in a comparably privileged position could not buy common items in the developed world like a TV, washer, or refrigerator. He could not even afford to purchase 2 kg of rice per month on his salary at the time.
However, this was also around the time that the government began offering overseas work opportunities – where workers could earn more than what they received back home. Promising the ability to earn enough to purchase home appliances after just 3 years working abroad, there was a great deal of competition for the opportunity.
Workers had to meet a series of strict criteria to be selected for the coveted positions. Not only did the applicant have to be married and have 5 years of verified continuous work experience, they could not have any acquaintances – extending to 5 degrees of separation – who were guilty of political or economic crimes. Confident in his ability to meet these conditions, Lim applied and soon found himself overwhelmed with excitement for his new work opportunity in Kuwait.
However, Lim soon discovered that he was sold a lie. Upon arriving in Kuwait, he lived in poor conditions and immediately wondered how he would be able to adapt to the foreign culture. The workers were all sent to their living compound on the second day to begin at once with their new grueling schedule. For 5 months, Lim worked 12-14 hours per day, without a day off and without receiving a single paycheck.
The North Korean authorities confiscated all wages and did not distribute a penny to the workers. Lim became increasingly bitter as he toiled day in and day out only for the benefit of the elite cadres back in Pyongyang. He finally decided to approach the South Korean embassy in Kuwait and ask for asylum.
Lim could not shake his anger after arriving in South Korea, but resolved to expose the truth about North Korea to the rest of the world. His indignation became his source of motivation.
Finding his purpose
During his first few years in South Korea, Lim worked in food service and as a delivery driver – even starting his own delivery service as the work became more interesting, but he never stopped wanting to write about North Korea. As fate would have it, three years into his new life in South Korea, Lim met a pastor who would inspire him to take the necessary steps towards achieving this goal.
Lim learned that the pastor came from a poor family and a difficult childhood which eventually led to alcohol addiction. But his life changed after his wife introduced him to the church. He discovered a passion for theology and eventually went on to receive a master’s degree. The pastor encouraged Lim to explore his writing skills and to find a more meaningful purpose through telling his story to the world.
The task seemed overwhelming at first, but Lim says the pastor gave him the courage to take action. When Lim thought about the victims of tyranny that continue to suffer in North Korea, he also felt a renewed sense of motivation. He knew that it may not be the most lucrative career path, but resolved to follow his convictions.
These days, Lim stays active and involved as he continues to pursue his goals. He has exercised his democratic rights, participating in 5 elections since coming to the South, and is working towards improving the political awareness of North Koreans, stressing the need to convey the benefits of democracy. Going forward, Lim says he wants to continue helping North Koreans realize their human rights.
※This article was made possible in part by funding from the Korea Press Foundation
