World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 day ago
North Korean defector builds a new life as a farmer in South Korea
Jang Jin-hee is a 33-year-old North Korean defector who now farms in Hongcheon, South Korea.
She grew up in Gilju, North Hamgyong province, near the site of North Korea’s first nuclear test in 2006.
At the time, she was 13 and working at a market; she and other local people did not know what had caused a loud sound.
Her family later faced hardship after her mother was defrauded and her parents separated.
Stories from a friend who had been trafficked to China, and leaflets showing life outside North Korea, led Jang to imagine a different future.
She eventually left North Korea and settled in South Korea as a farmer.
She recently won a bronze medal in a women’s agricultural machinery challenge and hopes to become a leading farmer.
Jang Jin-hee, a North Korean defector, has settled as a farmer in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, South Korea.
The 33-year-old took part in a women farmers’ machinery challenge in Jeonju last month and won a bronze award with her team.
Jang was 13 when North Korea conducted its first nuclear test near her home in Kilju County in 2006.
She said a friend’s account of life in China and leaflets showing life outside North Korea helped her imagine a different future.
- Who
- Jang Jin-hee, a North Korean defector and farmer.
- What
- She has settled as a farmer in South Korea and recently won bronze in a women farmers’ machinery challenge.
- When
- The article was published on October 11, 2026. The challenge took place last month.
- Where
- Jang settled in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province. The challenge was held in Jeonju.
- Why
- The article says Jang wanted to leave North Korea after hearing about life in China and seeing leaflets depicting a different world.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Is it a place where people live with so many different things in their everyday lives?
Yes. I’ll go to China and try to live a new life, rather than die.
Jang Jin-hee was born.
North Korea conducted its first nuclear test near Kilju County, where 13-year-old Jang was living.
Jang took part in a women farmers’ machinery challenge in Jeonju and won bronze with her team.
Donga Ilbo published its article about Jang’s life as a farmer in Hongcheon.
- Age
- 33
- Settlement
- Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, South Korea
- Challenge venue
- Rural Human Resources Development Center, Jeonju
- Award
- Bronze, in a team event
- Nuclear test date
- October 9, 2006
Sources
Related news
China sanctions ministers from Paraguay and Belize over Taiwan ties
13-year-old charged with murder after fatal stabbing in Sydney’s west
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward East Sea, South Korea says
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward eastern waters, Seoul says
Taiwan monitors Chinese live-fire drills along China’s coast
Akita dog Sora reappointed tourism stationmaster at Odate Station
Russian emergencies minister visits North Korea for disaster cooperation talks
World grape and wine congress opens in China for first time in Asia
Man in his 80s critically injured in crash during Perth police pursuit
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea
Indonesia moves eight endangered orangutans to safety after Borneo fires
