Stunning Confession from a North Korean Defector, Now an Inspiration for the Film 'ESCAPE (2024)'

Kapanlagi.com - Jang Han Ul, a North Korean soldier who successfully left his country and fled to South Korea for freedom and a better life. Through his story, the production team of the film ESCAPE immediately contacted him to offer a small role in the film.

In an interview with The Chosun Ilbo, Jang Han Ul recounted his defection across the heavily guarded DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) after serving for one year and five months as a North Korean soldier. He was an 18-year-old young soldier when he decided to defect from his homeland.

Check out Jang Han Ul's defection story below.

1. Factors That Led Jang Han Ul to Defect

Jang Han Ul (Credit: youtube.com/DimpleVideo)

He collected South Korean leaflets that criticized the regime of Kim Jong Un, and what caught his attention the most in those leaflets was that the economic welfare in South Korea was better than in North Korea. The collection of leaflets solidified his resolve to escape from his country.

2. When a Devastating Typhoon Damaged the DMZ Fence

Film 'ESCAPE (2024)' (Credit: IMDb)

One day in August 2012, a devastating typhoon managed to damage the heavily guarded three-layer DMZ fence. "That day, the senior soldier who was on duty with me disappeared, saying he was going to take a nap. It felt like a sign from above - I knew I couldn't miss this opportunity," he explained.

Jang Han Ul pocketed two grenades and took his AK rifle with 90 rounds of ammunition. The grenades were intended for suicide if he was captured by North Korean forces.

3. The Challenge of Crossing the DMZ

Film 'ESCAPE (2024)' (Credit: IMDb)

After successfully crossing the fence, he still had to face other challenges. "Unlike what I saw from the North Korean side, the DMZ is filled with 2-meter tall grass and thorny bushes that I had to struggle through. My whole body was scratched and bleeding, and my uniform was torn to shreds," he explained.

Jang took 18 hours to cross the 2-kilometer stretch of the DMZ. "Even now, I don’t know if those 18 hours were a dream or reality. I remember hearing North Korean soldiers calling my name, and 12 bullets whizzed past my head as they shot at me," he explained. During the crossing, Jang lost 2 kilograms of body weight.

4. Jang Han Ul's Busy Life

Kim Kang Yoo & Jang Han Ul (Credit: youtube.com/DimpleVideo)

Upon arriving in South Korea, he studied for six years before entering college and majoring in political science & diplomacy in 2018. Since February 2020, Jang has been active on his YouTube channel called BukSital alongside Kim Kang Yoo, another defector who crossed the DMZ in 2016. In January 2024, Jang Han Ul also released his short film titled TWO SOLDIERS, which highlights human rights violations in the North Korean military.

(kpl/ony)