FSI co-founders and North Korean refugee authors meet with international high school students visiting South Korea, Oct. 16. Courtesy of Freedom Speakers International

On October 16, 2024, three North Korean Refugee Author Fellows in Freedom Speakers International (FSI) wrapped up a two-day conference with high school students visiting South Korea.

Han Song-mi, Eom Yeong-nam, and Jang Sha-ron shared their personal stories, raised awareness about the realities of life in North Korea, and signed copies of their books.

Most of the 600 North Korean refugees who have studied in our organization first contacted us through our website, called our office, or were directly connected to FSI co-founder Lee Eun-koo. Eun-koo recently pointed out something I had yet to recognize. All three authors initially contacted me when they wanted to join our organization.

They share other similarities, such as the fact that they all escaped during 2010-11, were all rescued by a family member who had escaped from North Korea first, were all in limbo in North Korea because of issues related to family members, all lived abroad in Canada for more than a year, have all worked in our office, and have made donations to our organization.

It was a Freedom Speakers International (FSI) event done in collaboration with Giving Tuesday Korea and sponsored by the Korea Hana Foundation. We encouraged the high school students to set up projects to increase generosity and kindness in the world. There was no requirement that they come up with projects related to North Korea or North Korean refugees, but this would be a chance for them to team build and to get advice from North Korean refugees.

I started the conference with the first group as Giving Tuesday Korea's co-country director.

The participants at this particular conference were all teenage girls. I am not trying to get myself into trouble by pointing out that the attendees were more interested in small group discussions with the speakers. In contrast, when we have had conferences with teenage boys in previous years, they had questions but were more interested in creating a project and getting feedback from the refugees.

In this case, I didn't push for the projects and instead gave them the chance to talk and do the projects later if they choose to do so when they return to their respective countries. I know in this hypersensitive world that people don't expect me to see what I see, but that has been the reality.

FSI co-founder Casey Lartigue opens the conference with a speech about giving, Oct. 16. Courtesy of Freedom Speakers International

The second hour, Eunkoo introduced FSI. As usual, she urged me to do so, but I gave an excuse about why I couldn't, and then explained why it was better for her to introduce FSI so there would be a better distinction between FSI and Giving Tuesday Korea.

FSI co-founder Lee Eun-koo introduces the organization's main initiatives, Oct. 16. Courtesy of Freedom Speakers International

Sharon Jang, author of "Girl with Black Makeup"

When I worked with Sharon on her speech the day before, I told her she would be the first speaker for a reason.

I introduced her when she gave a speech the first time, but the second time around, I told Eunkoo that she should introduce Sharon. I am the one who first proposed that Sharon write a book and after we changed from TNKR to FSI, I said we should check with Sharon to see if she would like to finish the book. Sharon confirmed, thankful that we had not forgotten about the project.

Eunkoo worked closely with Sharon to finish the book.

Sharon started off somewhat shy, apologizing about her English level. She apologized before her second speech also, but she spoke with more energy the second time. Sharon's journey as an author and public speaker has been gradual, and thanks to our donors and supporters over the years, we can work with North Korean refugees at their own pace. There's no rush to push them onto the stage before they are ready; instead, we give them the time they need to develop at their speed. And if they choose not to speak, or not write a book, or just talk about their hobbies instead of human rights, that's fine, too.

I often discourage our supporters from categorizing us as a human rights organization or from saying we encourage North Korean refugees to talk about North Korea. Because of fans mischaracterizing us and critics lying about us, I renamed our speech contest "I am from North Korea" so it would be clear that North Korean refugees have the power to speak as they wish.

After we finished, Sharon had her first book signing at an event. FSI recently purchased pens for our authors, but Sharon is the only one who brought her pen to sign copies. I am going to give the authors a hint that if they ever want special pens again, they should let Eunkoo see them signing books with them.

Sharon Jang, author of the FSI book “Girl with Black Makeup,” speaking to international students visiting South Korea on October 16, 2024. Photo courtesy of Freedom Speakers International.

North Korean refugee author Sharon Jang and FSI co-founder Lee Eun-koo join small group discussions with international students in South Korea, Oct. 16. Courtesy of Freedom Speakers International

Songmi Han, co-author of "Greenlight to Freedom" with Casey Lartigue

I introduced Songmi, who gave a speech without notes. She didn't give her first public speech until early 2022, but now she delivers speeches without notes. She says she is nervous, and that is fine. For some reason, people tell speakers not to be nervous.

Nervousness and fear can inspire some speakers to prepare and practice more; even some great speakers say that even after years of public speaking, they still get nervous. As Samuel Johnson said in a different context, "The threat of execution sharpens the mind." I advise speakers, but I don't tell them to ignore their feelings, and I don't try to read their minds about how they are feeling.

I like to point out that both Eunkoo and Songmi say they are shy but will keep talking as if time has stopped.

After Songmi's speeches, I joined her during many of her small group discussions -- as if I had a choice. North Korean refugees have freedom of choice within FSI, but as co-founder and Senior Mentor, I don't have choice when it is in conflict with theirs. Like Yuna the night before, Songmi encouraged me to join her, although now it is more of an imperative with her. "Mr. Casey! You are my co-author. Please join me. I wouldn't be here without you." She often gives me an impatient stare, as if I have abandoned her when I don't immediately join her on stage.

How can I say no?

North Korean refugee author Han Song-mi, co-author with Casey Lartigue of her memoir “Greenlight to Freedom,” discussed her book with international students visiting South Korea, Oct. 16. Courtesy of Freedom Speakers International

Co-authors Han Song-mi and FSI co-founder Casey Lartigue join small group discussions on Greenlight to Freedom with international students visiting South Korea, Oct. 16. Courtesy of Freedom Speakers International

Yeongnam Eom, author of "Strongest Soldier of North Korea"

Yeongnam's public speaking approach reflects his life as a soldier and his newfound freedom as a public speaker. As a soldier in North Korea, he had to memorize without thinking. But as a speaker in freedom, Yeongnam has the flexibility to improvise and adapt. There have been times when he has asked, right before speaking, “Which speech should I give? What should I talk about?” — a stark contrast to his life as a soldier, where there was no room for such creativity and freedom.

I chose Sharon to speak first in the morning session, but during our lunch break, somehow Yeongnam was assigned to be the first speaker of the second session without them consulting me. Did those lovely ladies outvote him? Did he volunteer? I'm not sure what happened, but there was no discussion. He was going to be first.

He embraced his role without complaint. He was being the good soldier taking on a task assigned to him. But as a man now living in freedom, he is engaged in tasks he chooses.

For those of you who advise speakers not to be nervous, don't waste your words with Yeongnam. Even before he learned any public speaking skills, he was already ready. As he wrote in his book, he was inspired by North Korean refugees, especially Yeonmi Park, who told their stories globally. From his first speech with us in 2015, he had stories to tell.

North Korean refugee author Eom Yeongnam engages in small group discussions. Courtesy of Freedom Speakers Internationa

North Korean refugee author Eom Yeong-nam, author of Strongest Soldier of North Korea, presents his book to international students in South Korea, Oct. 16, with FSI co-founder Casey Lartigue holding a copy. Courtesy of Freedom Speakers International

Book signing

Songmi, Sharon and Yeongnam all participated in the book signing at the end of the event. For Songmi, this was yet another stop in her international journey.

When Songmi gives a speech, attendees often ask her if she has traveled to other countries. Not only has she traveled to other countries, but she has had book signings abroad. Greenlight to Freedom has built up Songmi's frequent flyer miles. In the USA, we have had book signings together in Nashville, New York City, Cambridge, Washington, D.C. We have also had book signings in Geneva and New Delhi.

When it is time for a book signing, Songmi makes sure that I sign the books along with her. It is also an imperative: "Mr. Casey! You are my co-author! Why aren't you signing our book?"

For Sharon and Yeongnam, it was their first time signing books at an event (due to a bureaucratic snafu, Yeongnam's books did not arrive in time when he, Songmi and I spoke at a Talk Concert in Harvard Square last month).

The impact these authors made at the conference goes beyond just their speeches — they are raising awareness about North Korea, North Korean refugees and the importance of sharing their stories with the world.

Based on hearing their speeches and our mentoring sessions, they each have a mission. Sharon says writing the book was a form of therapy and she hopes it will console others. Her book lets people know about the reality of North Koreans condemned to terrible lives by the regime. Songmi wants people to know about the daily life of a North Korean, about difficult choices mothers (and fathers) make as they escape North Korea, and that many young people struggle as they wait for their mothers to rescue or return to them. Yeongnam wants people to have a better understanding about the lives of North Korean soldiers, the lack of freedom in North Korea, and about differences between North and South Korea.

Casey Lartigue Jr. (CJL@alumni.harvard.edu) is the co-founder of Freedom Speakers International with Lee Eun-koo and co-author with Han Song-mi of her memoir "Greenlight to Freedom: A North Korean Daughter's Search for Her Mother and Herself.”