Inside North Korea: What I saw before escaping the Regime | #62 Hyunseung Lee

Episode Timeline:
00:00 Introductions
02:50 Growing up in North Korea
51:23 When was it time to leave?
01:13:52 Your Escape
01:35:59 Total Defectors?
01:48:22 North Korean Food
01:53:25 Nuclear Weapons
01:56:06 Battleship Sunk
02:03:48 Dennis Rodman
02:07:59 What does Liberation look like?
02:25:15 Your Mission
02:28:04 A Message for Kim
02:29:19 Closing
“In this gripping episode, Hyunseung Lee shares his powerful story of life under North Korea’s brutal regime. From his early childhood inside the hermit kingdom to the moment he knew he had to escape, Hyunseung recounts his harrowing journey to freedom. We discuss what daily life is really like in North Korea, the dangers of defecting, the truth about food shortages and nuclear ambitions, and even surprising moments like Dennis Rodman’s infamous visit. Hyunseung also shares his mission to help others, a personal message for Kim Jong-un, and what liberation truly means for the North Korean people.”
Hyunseung Lee had this to say on Linkedin:
Last month, I had the opportunity to sit down with @MattBeall, CEO of Bealls Inc, for a deep and meaningful conversation about North Korea—its hidden realities, the resilience of its people, and the global implications we often overlook.
Matt’s curiosity and openness created the perfect space to share stories that are rarely heard but urgently needed. From regime dynamics to defector journeys, we covered a wide range of topics that challenge assumptions and inspire critical thinking.
🎧 Check out the full episode here.
I’m grateful for leaders like Matt who use their platforms to amplify voices that matter. I hope you’ll give it a listen—and share it with someone who wants to better understand one of the world’s most closed-off societies.
#NorthKoreaa #Leadership #HumanRights #Bealls #Podcast #VoicesForFreedom