Recently, a North Korean defector who was once a homeless child has been appointed by the South Korean government as the “governor” of North Hamgyong Province in North Korea. Although this position is purely symbolic, his journey towards freedom serves as an inspiration to the people of North Korea, and he will continue to assist defectors living in South Korea.
According to Radio Free Asia, the 42-year-old defector Ji Seong-ho was appointed as the governor of North Hamgyong Province by the South Korean Ministry of Administration last week. This position is equivalent to that of a vice minister, and he will enjoy the same benefits as other governors in South Korea.
Ji Seong-ho’s new role is symbolic, as he does not have actual governing power over North Hamgyong Province. Growing up in North Hamgyong Province, he was a homeless child on the streets during his childhood. He escaped to China in 2006 and later defected to South Korea, where he served as a member of the South Korean National Assembly.
Both the North Korean and South Korean governments claim jurisdiction over the entire Korean Peninsula. Since 1949, South Korea has appointed governors for various provinces it considers to be occupied by the enemy (North Korea).
During the appointment ceremony, Ji Seong-ho criticized North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, stating, “A leader who cannot feed his people is not qualified to be a leader. As governor, I aim to create a world where the residents of North Hamgyong Province can all eat pork soup rice.”
He mentioned that he will actively support South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s North Korea policy, which aims to achieve denuclearization and improve the human rights of North Korean residents.
Ji Seong-ho said, “As governor, I will work towards achieving this goal. Even if the North Korean Workers’ Party Secretary Kim Jong-un does not want reunification, South Korea hopes for reunification and is prepared for it.”
Currently, most defectors living in South Korea come from North Hamgyong Province. Ji Seong-ho urged North Korean officials governing North Hamgyong Province to “embrace freedom and democracy” and encouraged North Korean residents to “wake up and stand up.”
He emphasized, “I will play a crucial role in improving the lives of the North Korean people and protecting their human rights. If reunification is achieved, a world where we can live like human beings will open up.”
A North Korean defector named Park commented that Ji Seong-ho’s story is inspiring.
He said, “The North Korean people may not believe that a defector who was once a homeless child could come to this country and become a national assembly member and even a governor.” He hoped that all North Korean people would know about these developments.
In a previous report, it was mentioned that in March 1996, Ji Seong-ho, who came from a poor background, quietly climbed onto a train one late night due to hunger, attempting to steal coal in exchange for food. Unfortunately, he fell and was run over by the train, resulting in the loss of his left hand and left foot.Without anesthesia, doctors amputated his limbs, causing him to faint from the pain.
His father later made him a cane since he had become disabled. With this cane, he overcame his physical disabilities to continue stealing coal. He said that without doing so, they would have starved.
In 2006, he escaped from North Korea using the cane as support, eventually making his way to South Korea through China. In South Korea, he diligently pursued education, earning a Bachelor of Law degree from Dongguk University and completing a Master’s program in Criminal Law. He was elected as a member of the 21st South Korean National Assembly in 2020.
During an interview with the Epoch Times in July 2024, Ji Seong-ho stated, “The political prison camps in North Korea, the forceful repatriation and execution of defectors, forced labor akin to slavery without even providing food, torture, restrictions on movement, etc., are severe human rights violations and national crimes.”
He believed that the North Korean regime is “gradually collapsing,” and recent extreme punishments by the regime against those watching South Korean movies serve as evidence. “The North Korean regime is facing enormous internal pressure and is at its most vulnerable moment. As the saying goes, the darkest moment is just before the dawn, and it feels like it’s truly the final moment.”
He asserted that to resolve the North Korean issue, the role of the international community is crucial, particularly the leaders of democratic countries, media advocacy, and the awakening of citizens. “Continuous external advocacy is extremely important, and the key is for this information to reach the North Korean people.”
He also urged China to stop repatriating defectors and expressed hope for the freedom of the Chinese people.