Seoul: In one of the most unusual defection stories, a family of nine successfully fled North Korea by sea after nearly 10 years of preparation. The plan was first imagined by the family patriarch, who believed there was “no hope” in the country and that the ocean offered the only escape route.
With no background in fishing, the younger son relocated to the coast and spent years learning maritime skills, including boat repair and understanding patrol patterns near the disputed Northern Limit Line (NLL). The family carefully built trust with local authorities while secretly studying gaps in surveillance.
“We calculated how soon the patrol can detect us while crossing the NLL,” Kim Il-hyeok told CNN.
Secret life, hidden exposure
Despite living under strict state control, the family gained rare exposure to life outside through a television smuggled from China. Watching South Korean broadcasts reshaped their understanding of freedom and opportunity, strengthening their resolve to leave.
The escape became more pressing when Kim Il-hyeok’s wife became pregnant. Initially reluctant to take such a risk, she feared undertaking the dangerous journey while expecting. “My wife did not want to defect,” Kim Il-hyeok said. “She was especially worried about doing it while pregnant.” He added, “I kept trying to persuade her, saying we needed to go to South Korea for the sake of the child.” Eventually, she agreed
Stormy night escape plan
The escape was finally triggered in May 2023, when a storm reduced visibility along the Yellow Sea. Using fishing as a cover, the family bribed guards and assembled at a secret coastal point. Women crossed a minefield to reach the boat, while two children were hidden in burlap sacks to avoid detection.
The family patriarch, who had first envisioned the escape, died before it could happen. Fulfilling his wish, the family carried his ashes with them on the boat as they fled North Korea to South Korea.
“The sound of my own heartbeat was louder than the engine,” Kim Il-hyeok said.
The family navigated for nearly two hours before crossing into South Korean waters near Yeonpyeong Island. When intercepted by the navy, they declared their intention to defect: “‘We’re North Korean fishermen here to defect to South Korea.’”
South Korean authorities later confirmed their arrival.
Freedom and personal loss
While the escape marked a new beginning, tragedy followed. One of the brothers, Kim Yi-hyeok, died in a scuba diving accident months after reaching South Korea. Despite the loss, the family continues to rebuild their lives.
“I consider myself one of the lucky ones,” Kim Il-hyeok said.