My Hometown – The Aoji Coal Mine – In this post, I take you on a journey back to my childhood, nestled in the heart of Aoji, North Korea, known for its coal mines. Here, I aim to debunk common misconceptions that South Koreans often have about my hometown. I recount our shared sense of community and resilience, which we leaned on heavily amidst the hardships of everyday life. The story of my father, a coal miner, paints a vivid picture of these daily struggles from toiling in the coal mines to our reliance on rations. I talk about playing games with friends in old mines and visiting a working mine as a kid. Even though life was tough, we stuck together and kept hope alive. Even today, many years after I left North Korea, the smell of coal still reminds me of home.

Breaking Class Chains: The Unfolding of My Parents’ Love in North Korea 

My parents’ love story unfolded in North Korea, a nation with a rigid class system. My father, born into an affluent family, found his life upturned by the Communist regime, his prosperity branded as undesirable. My mother, in contrast, was born into a family honored for their anti-Japanese struggle. Love blossomed between them despite societal expectations and family disapproval. This narrative showcases their resilience and yearning for humble happiness amidst a complex social structure that profoundly dictates individuals’ lives based on their lineage and social standing.