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  • I'm going to ask you 50 quick questions about you and North Korea.

  • Try to answer with just one sentence.

  • How are you?

  • I'm fine.

  • What's your name?

  • My name is Jeongok Choi.

  • Do you have an English name?

  • Yes, my English name is Justina.

  • How old are you?

  • I'm 39 years old.

  • Where are you from?

  • I'm from North Korea.

  • Where were you born?

  • I was born in Hamgyong Province in northernmost spot on the Korean map.

  • Where do you live now?

  • I live in South Korea.

  • What do you do?

  • I'm a nurse.

  • Is it OK if we talk about your life in North Korea?

  • Yes.

  • Is your North Korean experience the same as all North Korean defectors?

  • Not same.

  • When did you escape North Korea?

  • 2004.

  • How did you escape North Korea?

  • Cross the river.

  • Is North Korea a terrible place to live?

  • Yes, exactly.

  • Is North Korea a corrupt country?

  • Yes.

  • Is South Korea a good place to live?

  • Yes.

  • Were you hungry as a child in North Korea?

  • Fortunately, I was not hungry.

  • Did you witness people die of starvation in North Korea?

  • Yes, countless times.

  • Were you happy in North Korea?

  • Yes, I was very happy with my family in North Korea.

  • Are you happy now?

  • Yes, I'm so happy now, too.

  • Do you miss North Korea?

  • Yes, always.

  • Do you regret leaving North Korea?

  • No, I never regret.

  • Will you be able to return to North Korea one day?

  • I hope so but currently it's impossible.

  • Do you think reunification is possible between North and South Korea?

  • Yes.

  • I think it's possible in the future.

  • What's different about North Koreans and South Koreans?

  • There are many things, but I think language is the most different.

  • Are you South Korean now?

  • Yes, I'm a South Korean.

  • Where would you like to live in the future?

  • I'd like to live in the United States in the future.

  • Have you ever been to America?

  • Never.

  • Do you hate Americans?

  • No.

  • I like.

  • Are you a political person?

  • No, I'm not.

  • Do you think the world is doing enough to help North Korea?

  • I don't think so.

  • How can I help a North Korean defector?

  • There are many things.

  • Firstly, have interest toward North Korea and refugees.

  • And secondly, being a friend with them.

  • And make a voice for them.

  • What was you favorite food in North Korea?

  • Noodle was the most favorite food.

  • What is your favorite food in South Korea?

  • Tofu.

  • Is healthcare available to everyone?

  • Yes, it's available.

  • Did you use the internet in North Korea?

  • Never.

  • Did you have hot water in North Korea?

  • No.

  • Did you eat meat in North Korea?

  • Maybe once a year.

  • Did you have power or electricity in North Korea?

  • Yes, we had.

  • Did you family have a TV in North Korea?

  • Yes, we havehad.

  • How many channels did you have?

  • Only one channel.

  • Did your family have a car in North Korea?

  • No, impossible.

  • What is something good about North Korea?

  • The people.

  • They have a warm heart.

  • Were you surprised when you first arrived in South Korea?

  • Yes, surprised at everything.

  • What surpised you the most about South Korea?

  • The people, there were many foreigners

  • in South Korea.

  • Do you think North Korean agents will try to hurt you because of this interview?

  • I hope not.

  • Do North Korean study English?

  • Yes.

  • How old were you when you learned ABC in English?

  • When I was 14 years old.

  • Do you think it is necessary to learn English?

  • Yes, it's essential in South Korea.

  • Do you have many friends?

  • Yes, I have.

  • Do you consider yourself a strong person?

  • Yes, of course.

  • Alirght, thanks very much.

  • Bye, bye.

  • Thank you.

  • How old are you?

  • I'm 28 years old.

  • No.

  • How old am I? 29?

  • Ah Oh!

  • 30 - 39.

  • I'm sorry.

  • Ok.

  • Just start from the beginning.

  • I'm sorry.

  • How old are you?

  • I'm 39 years old.

  • Is English your first language?

  • No.

  • Not.

  • Do you feel confident when you speak English?

  • Yes.

  • Are you married?

  • No.

  • Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

  • I think I'm an extrovert.

  • What is your proudest accomplishment?

  • Left - my homewtown - North Korea.

  • Do you study IELTS these days?

  • Yes.

  • What was your last IELTS score?

  • Over 5.5.

  • Do you think English is the most important language?

  • Yes, I think so.

  • How many hours a week do you study English?

  • These days

  • I don't study English that much, I think.

  • About one hour a week.

  • Who do you admire the most?

  • My mother.

  • What annoys you most?

  • Actually, what's the meaning?

  • I'm sorry.

  • Ah, annoying, not noisy.

  • What annoys you most?

  • People who are smoking.

  • What makes a happy marriage?

  • Meeting a person that I love so much.

  • If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

  • What's the meaning? I'm sorry.

  • If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

  • Maybe in the United States.

  • Do you believe in love at first sight?

  • I don't think so.

  • Have you traveled to many countries?

  • Not that many.

  • Just a few.

  • Which countries have you traveled to?

  • Japan, China, the Philippines, and Russia.

  • Do you watch Korean dramas?

  • Yes, I love Koreans dramas too much.

  • Do you think North Korean women are more beautiful than South Korean women?

  • It depends on the person.

  • What's the best way to study English?

  • Practice and practice.

  • Thank you for sharing your answers.

I'm going to ask you 50 quick questions about you and North Korea.

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