A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea

by Masaji Ishikawa

If I remain in North Korea, I’ll die of starvation. It’s as simple as that.

And I came to recognize that, no matter how difficult the reality, you mustn’t let yourself be beaten. You must have a strong will. You have to summon what you know is right from your innermost depths and follow it.

But the reality hit home late that night. I had a wife. And now two children. And however hard I worked, I would always be poor. I would never be allowed to better myself, no matter how much effort I put in. My children would be faced with a life of hardship regardless of what I did.

the truth of socialism summed up beautifully.