Summary

In Chapter 9, in 2005 Yeonmi’s mother had to go into hiding because she had failed to seek permission from the regime to move back to Kowon. In North Korea, the regime told people where they could live. Any request to move had to be approved. The regime would only approve a move if it were for purposes of a job transfer, marriage, or divorce.

Meanwhile, Jin Sik bribed a prison guard to release him from jail because he was so sick. For this reason, Yeonmi’s mother turned herself in to the police. After she was released, she and Jin Sik decided to get a divorce so that Keum Sook and the girls could go back to Kowon if Jin Sik was sent back to prison.

A friend of Jin Sik allowed him to live in an apartment in Hyesan rent-free. It...