Lee Suk-jeong

Lee Suk-jeong is a former entrepreneur from Hyesan, North Korea, who managed a thriving cross-border trading business before fleeing the country in 2019. Her experiences reflect the entrepreneurial spirit that once flourished in the city, where residents engaged in trade with China. Since her departure, Lee has opened a bar in Suwon, South Korea, and her story illustrates the drastic changes in economic opportunities for North Koreans under Kim Jong-un's regime.