We Interviewed A Former Elite North Korean Spy | Stay Curious #36

Chul-eun Lee is a former high-ranking North Korean government official who defected to South Korea in 2016. He swam 6km from North to South Korea and started a new life. We asked him about his journey, his former job with the North Korean government, and the differences he sees between North and South Korea.

Special thanks to Chul-eun Lee for taking the time to share his story with the world.

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[Rinfiner]

He managed to talk for almost 40 minutes without saying anything unnecessary or boring. Every sentence was packed with information and the interviewer asked the right questions. Great Job from both.

[shoyuramenoff]

"I don't think I spoke well". The entire time I was thinking that he was extremely good at story-telling and conveying his ideas.

[sarahraza]

I was really impressed with how easily he saw through South Korea's nationalism. He never idolizes anything, but rather objectively assesses his surroundings. He's really open-minded and I enjoyed hearing his story

[iangates]

This guy is clearly a man who has reached another level of wisdom. He's seen (and participated) in the worst aspects of his home country, abandoned hearth and home, rejected his old ways, started from nothing in a new country, and can speak honestly and frankly about the shortcomings and strengths of both countries (without making any false equivalence). Bravo!

[jumbeaux]

He's eloquent and his story was very clearly communicated. What he said about not underestimating North Korea is probably the truth that people are not comfortable with. It's a mindset thing.

[ivansidorov]

This guy is something.
You don't need to know the language to see how well-spoken he is. He cognizes the world and reflects each problem in its perspective.
He is a dreamer. Even South Korea will become small for him. No wonder he defected.

[justinnagac]

Stories like Lee Chul-eun's are one of the reasons why Asian Boss should never stop from existing. Thank you Asian Boss for another quality content. Love all the way from the Philippines!

[selahmaiah]

I love how pragmatic he is. And how he just states facts without resorting to bias. Didn't even notice the time running. He would make a great analyst. Sure hope he gets to start his own channel soon.

[altouna]

I like how his tall friend just goes along with the “you go first” plan to get past the mines

[vasudevrameshbabu]

The interviewer was genuine while listening, that encouraged the defector to be eloquent at his best. Also he was a good listener, kudos to Asian boss and journalists should learn from them.

[NZOMV]

This is the most insightful interview I've watched from a defector. The fact that he is very self aware of himself, the world and incredibly honest makes me trust his experiences and opinions so much more. Great vid!

[janec]

I appreciate the guest's candor and he was so authentic about the good and bad in N. Korea. It's sad that employers discriminated him in S. Korea based off the fact that he was from N. Korea instead of looking at the perspective of a defector that was brave enough to escape for a better life. Great interview.

[brettwilson]

"I'm a simple man"

Recognizes tidal cycles, alludes security, knows how.... tendons work in relation to an electric fence, or how they cramp in an eight mile swim.

[CaterpillarFriend]

This did not feel 40 minutes long. Words cannot express how enlightening it was from start to finish. Thank you so much for working on this!

[oskirules]

This simple interview is better than any Hollywood movie.

[sszn]

This is the best interview I’ve watched from North Korea defector so far... the details of how he get escaped and swim across the sea just so stunned... hope that he never gets anymore discrimination in SK, or if he gets, hope that he’s able to understand and ignores that and just having faith in whatever he does..

[noface]

Watching him talk about his views and experiences, I can see that he is a person of intellect, the one that observes and understands well.

[ignesiastan]

Wow the mental fortitude on this guy. Really enjoyed the post-defecting conversation and his ambitions to improve the world's understanding of North Korea.

[MissesWitch]

He SWAM FOR 8 HOURS ?! To defect to South Korea?! This guy is EPIC!

[noniboo]

This man's story is so amazing . Here he was living an elite life but could see the cruelty of the treatment of the poor and working class. I'm so happy he escaped and appreciate how well he told his story it could be a Netflix movie indeed.