Lee Hyeon-seo

Lee Hyeon-seo, born in January 1980, is a North Korean defector and activist known for her book, The Girl with Seven Names. She currently resides in Seoul, South Korea, where she is a student. Hyeon-seo grew up in Hyesan, North Korea, and initially believed her country was the best in the world. However, witnessing the suffering and death caused by the North Korean famine changed her perspective. In 1997, Lee crossed the frozen Yalu River alone to fulfill a dream, and despite intending to return quickly, she faced difficulties that prevented her from doing so. She later guided her family out of North Korea through China and Laos.