'I was caught & sent to labor camp... then I escaped again' | North Korean Defector Charles Ryu

As hard as we may try, our efforts to live with an attitude of gratitude sometimes get derailed when life throws unforeseen obstacles in our path. But as unfair as we may deem our current situation, a fresh perspective serves to remind us that no matter how bad we think we have it today, somebody, somewhere has it way worse. We believe this two-parter -- episodes 84 and 88 -- may be just the fresh perspective the doctor ordered.

Charles Ryu of Liberty in North Korea escaped from North Korea, was deported back and sentenced to a forced labor camp, worked in a coal mine, and then escaped North Korea again by the time he was 17. He now lives in the US fighting for the rights of those he left behind. Gabriel Mizrahi, no stranger to North Korea himself, joins us. Listen, learn, and enjoy!

What We Discuss with Charles Ryu:

🏃 A glimpse of the rampant corruption ruling the daily lives of average North Koreans.
🏃 Being homeless anywhere at any age is terrible. But what’s it like being a homeless preteen in North Korea in the middle of winter?
🏃 How Charles escaped from North Korea to China as a young teenager and what he got a taste of for the first time ever.
🏃 What led to Charles being jailed in China, deported back to North Korea, and sent to a forced labor camp for nine months.
🏃 How working in a coal mine for a paycheck of rice was a step up for Charles, even though he had to lie about his age to get the job.
🏃 And much more…

Welcome to The Jordan Harbinger Show, a video podcast where each week you get to join a conversation with some of the world’s highest performers and incredible personalities. I’ll ask them the tough questions to tease out their top tips so that you can reach levels of personal growth and mastery that you never imagined possible.

[SusiiUkraina]

it's horrible and so disrespectful to interrupt someone who's talking about his traumatic life, please next time just be quiet and let him speak! My heart goes out to this brave, strong and kind hearted young man. I wish you had more emphaty for him...

[christinafisher]

These guys interrupt every minute to ask this guy to keep telling his story. It's brutal

[danamomonte]

I wish there was another video where he is allowed to finish his story without being interrupted

[veramapesho]

I imagine this is what it would be like telling your life story to a class of 4th graders, always interrupting and only understanding the rudimentary parts of your journey to freedom 🙄 i applaud Ryu's patience and strength 👏🏾

[lilanisi]

This guy could have told his amazing story without you even being in the room. The guy with the hat was cool but the other guy... not interested in your useless questions or interrupting just to repeat what he said. Even after he asked you to just let him tell his story.

[LaMomma]

I would love to hear this guys incredible life story. I wish pink shirt would SHUT UP so he could tell it without being interrupted every other sentence!!!!

[michaelbrownlee]

The most annoying part is Charles explains things so well this guy CONSTANTLY asks the dumbest questions

It has made this one of the hardest videos to finish on YouTube but nothing like the journey Charles has been through and has overcame


Thanks for sharing your story!

May God bless you!

[TaylorLee]

Can anyone recommend me another interview with this man where he isn’t interrupted every 5 seconds?

[cinephile]

I know Charles and I have to say, I’m amazed everyday by how encouraging and joyful he is. I could be having the worst day and he just has to smile and give me an encouraging word, and my day is made. Keep living your life Charles. I wish you all the happiness in the world.

[RUNVUSLUV]

Wish they could have just let him tell his story without feeling the need to interrupt every 10 seconds! Imagine living in a hell hole that doesn't let you have a voice and then come on a podcast where they constantly over talk you. The irony 🤦🏽‍♀️

[armyncveteranvital]

I understand buddy pretty well maybe better if you could have stopped interrupting him.

[cmax]

What a powerful story. Charles seems to have turned out to be a good person even though his early life was so brutal and tough. Amazing to see. God bless him.

[allysahatfield]

This interview was VERY hard to watch😢 More like watching an interrogation not an interview. The way they interrupted him every minute of this video is so uncomfortable to watch. He doesn’t hardly ever get to finish a sentence. He’s side tracked while trying to keep a flow to his timeline. This is terrible and he had such a heroic story to tell☹️😞 Of all of the interviews I’ve watched of NK escapees, this was by far the hardest to watch because how terrible they treated him.

[ElephantCages]

I am too a life long Christian, well forever long Christian. I'm so happy you are in the U.S. & am so hPpy your are a brother in Christ. The Almighty definitely helped you get over here! Awesome, harrowing story, you have an amazing testimony that will help lead other people to Christ. Hallelujah

[hollymize]

What an incredibly charismatic, charming, intelligent, heroic, amazing person. Im so glad you made it, and I hope all of your dreams come true! ♥️

[akapkonyak]

His story should be cast in Hollywood to show respect for him and the suffering of human beings.

[alexulloa]

I was stationed 13 miles from the DMZ 2015-16 and it always haunted me how much different life was just minutes north from me. Charles you are so brave and I congratulate you on your citizenship! Such a powerful story that needs to be heard by everyone.

[dsrai]

Forget about James Bond, his story is that of an action hero all on its own. Escaping N Korea twice, finding himself in the middle of nowhere in China after three days walking without food or water and unable to speak the language. From there not too many then make it to the US. Amazing story about his drive to live a free man is inspiring. From London, UK

[candicesparks]

Charles Ryu is such an amazing soul. I really enjoyed listening to him. He have no need to be like Will Smith at all. He's a great character in his own way. May TMH GOD continues to bless him and the rest of you all.

[DanAtkinson]

The honesty in this kid is refreshing.