Without You, There Is No Us
By Suki Kim
Undercover Among the Sons of the North Korean Elite. Crown, 2014
Summary of Without You, There Is No Us book by Suki Kim
The incredible story of an undercover journalist’s experiences teaching English to the sons of elite North Korean officials, covering everything from the power of the propaganda machine over the students to the terrible state of the average inhabitants of this secretive country.
Chapters in Without You, There Is No Us book summary
What do you get from this book? An undercover journalist’s account of North Korean students and their country
Korea, a country thousands of years old, was divided by the Cold War powers after WWII
Suki Kim’s family story saw her uncle lost forever to North Korea, and influenced her decision to teach there
Working at PUST meant always being monitored by the “counterparts” and the “minders,” who were both mysterious and unpleasant
Teaching is always a challenge, but there were several unique hurdles for Kim at the school in North Korea
Her students’ group spirit was unlike anything in the West, while their answers to questions sometimes betrayed difficult childhoods
Dos and don’ts were many at PUST, and the need to censor yourself took a heavy physical and mental toll
North Korea’s “Juche” ideology affects every aspect of life there, and is maintained through the vast propaganda machine
One student was dangerously inquisitive, while others seemed ready to report Kim at any moment
Many students shared anxieties with those in the West, though academic failure posed much greater risks to their prospects
North Koreans outside PUST remained mostly hidden from Kim, but trips off campus hinted at their appalling conditions
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
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Without You, There Is No Us — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Without You, There Is No Us book
- International politics buffs
- those curious about North Korea
- political theorists
- human rights advocates
About the author of Without You, There Is No Us
Suki Kim
Suki Kim is a novelist and journalist who has written extensively on North Korea. Raised in Seoul, she has lectured in journalism at Princeton University and written for the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and more. Her previous publications include The Interpreter, a mystery novel.
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