N Korea defector-book

▲ Kim Jae-hong's book, "32 Years as Defector: From Crossing Tumen River to Sydney," is shown in this image provided by publishing company Gold Egg Inc. on Aug. 26, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

N Korea defector-book

New book traces N. Korean defector's epic journey

SEOUL, Aug. 26 (Yonhap) -- A new book has been published to chronicle the three-decade journey of a North Korean defector who crossed borders and built new lives in search of a better future, its publisher said Monday.

Written by Yonhap News Agency reporter Kim Jae-hong, the book, the title of which is translated as "32 Years as Defector: From Crossing Tumen River to Sydney," follows Eddie's journey from escaping North Korea to finding refuge in South Korea and Australia, according to Gold Egg Inc.

Based on factual records, the book adopts a novel format with Eddie as the protagonist, narrated from an omniscient third-person perspective to enhance reader engagement. Kim and Eddie, who met in March 1995, collaborated for nearly two years on the book. Eddie helped write the initial drafts, while Kim placed the episodes in their historical context.

Eddie's journey spans three countries. Born in North Korea, he passed through China before reaching South Korea in the early 1990s. There, he spent nearly nine years as a student and businessman before emigrating to Australia to eventually become an accountant.

The author hopes Eddie's story will prompt readers to contemplate the Korean Peninsula's future.

"Eddie's persistent struggles across both Koreas and Australia offer insights not just into one defector's life, but potentially into the peninsula's future," Kim said.

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