Ex-North Korean Spy Reveals The Truth Behind Otto Warmbier’s Death | The UNCUT Interview
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We spoke to a Chul-eun Lee, a former high-ranking North Korean government official who defected to South Korea in 2016. If you are curious about the inner workings of the North Korean spy agency at the highest level, make sure to watch the video til the end.
Watch our first interview with Chul-eun Lee here: • We Interviewed A Forme...
If you want to help him financially or show your support, feel free to reach out to Chul-eun Lee here: Lgh871111@gmail.com
The opinions expressed in this video are those of individual interviewees alone and do not reflect the views of ASIAN BOSS.
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0:00 - Intro
1:03 - People’s reactions since the first interview
4:40 - Are you still getting news from North Korea?
5:37 - How did COVID Pandemic affect North Korea?
7:56 - Are North Koreans still starving to death in 2023?
8:48 - Current situation in North Korea
9:52 - North Koreans’ access to global news
10:28 - Shift in the mindset of North Koreans
11:53 - How does North Korea punish its people?
13:17 - How Kim Jong-Un killed his uncle
14:49 - Is it possible for Kim Jong-Un to maintain his power?
16:54 - How Russia-Ukraine War affects North and South Korea
18:39 - North Korea’s technologically advanced weapons
19:43 - The Otto Warmbier case
23:46 - Torture methods in North Korea
26:46 - How did you first find out about the Otto Warmbier case?
29:11 - Otto Warmbier’s confession at the news conference
29:53 - Warmbier’s sudden death after coming back to the US
33:47 - North Korea’s Biological Weapons
36:41 - North Korea’s nuclear capabilities
38:39 - Is your life under threat?
41:40 - Personal struggles since the first interview & COVID
44:39 - What could the future of North and South Korea look like?
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public, do a search: BIBLE + Freemasonry. Come to know all the deceptions of this world. Freemasonry is a world wide club, with many members. Be not deceived by them, but know their tricks and expose.
The Dear Leader knows about you. Very well! ❤
You can tell how much discipline this young man has built after defecting. He states that feeling sad won't solve anything, so he tries to remain happy and force a smile if necessary. I respect this man a lot for also admitting that in NK he would go home and drink because he couldn't control his mental state. This really shows how much he's overcome struggle and is now more accepting of himself.
It's toxic to ignore the sadness feeling. Healthy mental needs to embrace the sadness in the journey of healing. Nothing wrong to feel the sadness, the important is understand why and how the sadness come, so he can heal from it.
@@adw6894Thousands of years of successful stoicism disprove that statement. Wallowing in self pity has never made anything better for anyone.
No, it shows how much his circumstances have improved by defecting.
@@waypay1 i agree.
@@waypay1 "The answer, according to general Stoic thought, is that we shouldn't deny emotions or the things that make us feel pain or sadness, but rather strive to accept that which we cannot control and do our best to process our emotions in a way that puts us on a productive path forward." That's the first thing that shows up by searching "stoicism and sadness" on google. It proves the point of @adw6894
The fact that this ex-spy makes a distinction between being in the torture chamber and being beaten up during interrogation and prison is really scary. Just shows how they have different levels of torture.
What’s even scarier is the fact that he’s saying he wasn’t tortured much but they just used waterboarding, however waterboarding IS considered torture as it was used in the Middle Ages to torture people
Torture is at it's best when you don't even use physical violence (I suppose even more so when the victim expects physical abuse). Locking people up in completely lightless cells, in cells where there is no noise but the prisoner's at all, are effective ways to mess with the perception and sanity of a person, and it is so simple.. We are dependend on some sensual input to sustain ourselves. (unless you'd phrase this way different..) There's also a funky one where you'd restrain a person and then let single water drops hit the same spot on that person repeatedly - initially nothing much, but the 'sustained' pressure on the tissue will (after many hours) cause severe pain to the victim.
@Freedom1775 Its just that his standard of torture is so high compared to ours Thats how brutal the regime is
@@elfenlied_girl1238 Tell that to the US gov. It’s called “enhanced interrogation” lol
LOL, every country on this planet has different levels of torture. In the U.S. you have general population, guards purposefully combining inmates that shouldn't be in hallways or letting an inmate into an area they should never be, guard beatdowns, and solitary confinement as well. Who knows what goes on in Guantanamo. It's not just NK.
"I am all for peace, but I am not a fan of giving unconditional aid." Give this man a gold bar 👏
No aid given is unconditional.
USA should stop bombing countries
@@kdloftyUnconditional aid that doesnt help the nation's people who paid the taxes may be a better way to word it. But often short sayings are filled with meaning beyond the up front definition of the words used.
wouldn't giving him a gold bar be giving unconditional aid?
falling for this clear propganda against a country created out of necessity because of the barbarity committed by america and its allies in thee korean war is next level, you all are susceptible to propganda, wonder why when journalists are killed and given death sentences by america it isn’t met with this extreme of a reaction, the west loves fascists and despots in fact they help them gain power and then abandon them to use them to create consensus for one sided war fare
You can tell he’s nervous talking about this, messing with his ring, fidgeting with his fingers, pretty much keeping his hands close for a type of comfort. I applaud him for coming forward with all this because I imagine it is a bit scary or really scary to talk about a country you used to call home and release all this information
Or maybe because he was in direct contact with Otto and he was part of his torture
Well, he is not free of retaliation until king Jung un dies
@@carlmarcks114 I still wouldn’t hold him accountable for it. Even if his gut is telling him it is wrong, the only way to guarantee your own safety is to blindly follow the regime. Freethinking is a sure fire way to die.
Not to discredit the former spy, but viewers should view this documentary piece critically. He wasn't being nervous as everything was orchestrated/calculated. Everything he said should be taken at 50-50 though. You know he absolutely needed this kind of spotlight because this way he'll have a better chance to survive assassination. Plus it's also possible that he'll have to exaggerate the content in favor of the US/S.Korea narratives.
It's because he isn't being totally truthful. He is throwing exaggerations for his new S. Korean benefactors which is the propaganda machine.
I respect this guy for not giving away information on North Korean border defecting routes This is most important sot that others can also escape that jail
i also wish defectors do same when CIA trying to juice info. never trust an enemy at all cost
@@pyrimad8 they relay informations you know.....
@@leexingha cia trying to juice info and country also provide monetary and language aid to the North koreans coming to America It's like a give and take deal that too completely confidential not to be made public What kind of enemy is it who means no harm And what use is a friend who will starve you to death
What secret routes? even independent journalists don't know how to sneak in, lol. It's clearly classic disinformation.
He still wants to live.
Much respect to the risk this man is taking
i wonder how you know he telling the truth
Now I wonder how truthful he is. Maybe he is telling some truth but not sure.
If he is lying he is still undervthreat tbf
This man is literally changing the course of history
👍
What an absolute legend. So sincere, so informative, and so brave. I can't even imagine the hardships Chul-eun must have gone through, and the fact that he's been able to not only recovery from that, but also have such a powerful outlook on life is truly inspiring. Thank you, Chul-eun, for providing the world with such valuable insights, and thank you Stephen for conducting this interview. I wish Chul-eun the absolute best of luck, and I really do hope that his interviews and lectures will help to improve awareness regarding North Korea.
You are spot on. I have not watch the first interview (going to right away) but from the title and 3 minutes in, he blew me away with his attitude and outlook, You certainly see people who have seen the worst of life and they have this demeanor about them, its an openness, an unfazed yet humble antecedence about life. He has that.
maplestory
I think he still works for NK.
HE IS A FRAUD.
@@Dave-ji1yp would you mind explaining how?
It’s nice hearing someone talk in their native tongue with subtitles. It’s so much more fluid and expressive. I hope that more people use their first language instead of English, everyone’s first language sounds so much better than subsequent languages, unless they were learned in early childhood (and really learned, not just taught in school).
If the listener doesn't understand the speaker's language, they're better off reading an article at their own pace.
@@mel2000if you believe that, then why do you watch a channel about cultural exchange? exert some energy
@@uuuuuuuuiiiiiii : I can read text faster than I can watch a video. Why waste my time with a language I don't understand?
@@mel2000reading text doesn’t give any of the emotion we can clearly see in someone’s face and voice. There’s a lot more to understand by watching someone speaking their mother tongue
@@ambientexperience5793 : IMO, reading text located at the bottom of the screen takes your eyes off their facial expressions, which certainly causes a loss of emotional recognition. And in this movie, the characters were natively bilingual, so there was absolutely no need for subtitles.
His lack of a degree would not be such an obstacle to credibility in the US. Hundreds of people give TED talks with much less qualification than he has. And his expertise is virtually impossible for Americans to acquire. He's so well spoken, thoughtful and realistic. I have infinite respect for him.
It’s Korean culture - lots of South Koreans are very discriminatory against North Korean defectors, so by having a degree, he’d be able to back himself up just a little bit more to doubters.
That part! Americans take it granted a lot
@@DD-cg1xg You mean having a degree? Yes many are taking it for granted but some sadly fake it and just buy a fake degree. That is why you need transcripts to back it up.
Lol ted talks.
Agreed! There have been KZheadrs that have set up TED talks under Fake Names/Credentials just to troll them lol.
Thank you for this interview and for Chul-eun Lee bravely speaking out. It was a privilege to hear of his experiences, and to leanr a little about his life.
This guy is just immensely humble, he certainly is not just "some guy in the crowd" like he says about himself. The circumstances here are beyond that, it's literally world changing
Moith piece😂😂😂😂😂
HE IS A FRAUD
I think that the way he is explaning all these topics is remarkable, he isn't revealing the new methods of scaping, he is being extremely careful yet brave, he is also claryfying the difference between getting hit and actual torture that some people have to endure, which is important. The logic behind his explanation is really admirable... much respect for this guy
I like his empathy more where he explains how he scare shitless if he was being torture in a dark room for something he didn't did. The reason why Trump didn't do anything was because he's a fan of North Korea and Putin. Rip to the Agent Orange victims in Vietnam and Laos bombing victims. 🙏
@@condorX2 How does Vietnam and Laos fit into this? I watched the whole video but didn't hear about them.
hes a paid propagandist and liar you clown
@@loco_tom I feel like this video want to paint North Korea as the bad guy for causing 1 unknown death while ignoring how many deaths Agent Orange has caused in Vietnam, including US marines and it need a half an hour video to give us that picture, particularly the use of chemical weapon that can't be detect by modern science. Question. Have you seen the Laos bombings? Were they the bad guy too? You see the pattern here? When will Asian Boss going to interview the survivors?
@@condorX2 how does putin involved here as well?
Groundbreaking interview, this is why Asian boss is important
Laughable channel with more laughable audience.
He literally just exposed how Otto Warmbier died. He was murdered by a bioweapon.
Definitely agree
the japanese rental girlfriend was sooo sweet
Amazing interview! Thank you so much for this!
This is one of the best interviews i've seen on this channel.
this man started out as a highly ranking government official in north korea and a defector sharing his personal story, but has made himself into way more than that: He is a true expert in many of the topics brought up in this video, and makes his points in a very refined way using vast historical knowledge and exceptional analytical thinking. He and others like him should be considered as true assets and advisors in determining how governments should proceed with handling North Korea.
Absolutely. He mentions struggling to develop his career, but I bet there are plenty of think tanks that could provide a fantastic career and salary for his expertise. I think if he can learn english (assuming he doesn't currently speak it) that would really help him advance.
You should know that many North Korean defectors make up stories to make more money. He wasn't even thirty years old and was elite spy? He was able to regularly ask people in another department if they were torturing Warmbier but doesn't know the reason of his death? How believable it is North Korean officer would be frustrated because Warmbier didn't know Korean? Of course he didn't know Korean, he was American! The reason why King Jon Un's uncle was killed has nothing to do with how he was walking with Un. No ex elite spy would speak publicly without at least blurring his face considering he is supposed to have his mother there. There are even more inconsistencies from his previous interview.
Exactly. Those so-called South Korean "experts" with degrees should sit down and grab a pen.
100% agree This man should be given a job at a western consulate or as an advisor. Brilliant and obviously hard working mentality.
@@zukyozelf7144 He also said waterboarding wasn't real torture. I'm good, you hire him.
Mad respect to Asian Boss for having such a sensitive topic on youtube for everyone to see without filters, and a bigger respect to this man for taking such a huge risk by disclosing information that could put his life on danger but still doing it for the sake of awareness. Amazing.
Why are you mad at him?
@@elijahbey3366 No no they're not mad at him, they're saying they have lots of respect for the channel for uploading this vid. It's a phrase, 'mad respect' meaning big respect
@@MariposaNudrath Oh, I see. Thanks for explaining that to me. You have to understand, I'm just a caveman. I fell in some ice and later got thawed out by your scientists. Your world frightens and confuses me. Sometimes the honking horns of your traffic make me want to get out of my BMW and run off into the hills or whatever. Sometimes when I read the user comments on here I think, "Did little demons get inside and type it?" I don't know. My primitive mind can't grasp these concepts.
@@elijahbey3366 we get it now, you want attention.
@@peaceful_chaos14 You don't understand. When I see a solar eclipse, like the one I went to last year in Hawaii, I think 'Oh no! Is the moon eating the sun?' I don't know. Because I'm a caveman -- that's the way I think.
Regarding the conversation about Otto at 31:00 mins, the family elected not to have a full autopsy but instead conduct an external evaluation. Therefore, I don’t believe toxicologists assessed all of his internal organs.
I might be to do with his religon
So what was the cause of death?
@@kovy689poison or some kind of chemical maybe gas -
@@syewilliams2372 So you don’t know exactly…
@@kovy689no one does mate - it’s just the most likely the family wouldn’t do a tox test and there was no external marks it’s his best guess and makes sense if they have been testing all sorts of banned substances
His points at the end about an exchange make a lot of sense. It would be a massive shock and difficult to deal with if everything happens too suddenly. True integration will take a long time. It would be a huge shame to go through all the effort to unify a people and country only to create even more hostility or friction between everyone because of the difficulty of mixing again. I don't know what the catalyst would be other than war but I hope it can transition to something sensible like what was mentioned.
In what world do you think the US would ever allow peaceful integration between either Korea or China? There's trillions and trillions and trillions of $ to be made, are you a fool?
Please protect this man at all costs
He's literally lying... It's sad. All Korea wants is to have the freedom to trade with foreign countries and all accusations against Korea are literal anecdotes without any other kind of evidence to back them up.
Just a Christian walking by. I publicly confess my faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour. Amen. Thanks
just a liar
He's literally lying... It's sad. All Korea wants is to have the freedom to trade with foreign countries and all accusations against Korea are literal anecdotes without any other kind of evidence to back them up...
I wonder how many people he himself tortured. This is not a good guy. You don't get to be a spy being merciful to prisoners.
"If i get (snuffed out) by North Korea (or something; someone; etc.) while going about my business, it is what it is." That statement is nothing to be scuffed about. That statement only said by someone who already knew the consequences yet keep going giving us information that we needed. Not only Chul-eun Lee made second appearance on KZhead, he also made an appearance on Television as a former high-ranking North Korean government official no less about his life prior defecting to South Korea. Truly a Legendary person.
the best way to protect himself is by becoming a public figure
@@NicholasThorntonOfficial yep, that's what I thought while watching that part of the interview. It would also be well advised for him to carry a gun whenever he goes. I don't know about gun regulations in South Korea, but him being a target of the North Korean government would justify handing out a gun permission.
@@NicholasThorntonOfficial also, he must avoid being among crowds, as the North Korean government may use dirty methods of execution such as they did with Kim's brother in Malasya, having two ordinary ladies paid for spraying poison on his face. So you wouldn't be expecting that, so carrying a gun in that case is useless.
That quote was gangsta af
Can't imagine they'd be targeted. it would just validate what they're saying.
I've watched all the interviews of this young man on asian boss. He's so kind and so smart. Please, SK you should protect this gentleman.
Agreed. This guy is a gem. Brilliant and yet humble.
Just a Christian walking by. I publicly confess my faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour. Amen. Thanks
@@shawnsangikkimkinggod4242 who asked
@@idktbh.2421 you did
@@shawnsangikkimkinggod4242 why are spamming the same old message everywhere? Not everyone believes in your religion! Have respect for others.
What an incredible interview! First time here, liked and subscribed. Can't wait to watch some more of your channel's content!
Thanks for the subtitles!
The fact that I watched a 40+ minute video and it felt like 10 minutes says that this was a very informational, interesting and important video. Respect to Lee.
Wait is was 40 minutes? I just had the same realization 😂
the fact that he does not seek for money while giving a very detailed crucial informations on NK that brings risk to his life is truly amazing, what a great human being.
Unlike some other defecter who milked her sob story to the fullest
- As if he would admit it out loud that he takes money from another agency. 🙃
@@strek45 How is hers a sob story? what is so wrong with talking about the stuff you had to go through and get paid at the same time? she has to live too.
As a North Korean defector that was in a high position in their government, why would you go and review all these "very detailed crucial information" to the public? Wouldn't you just review it to the South Korean government and let them make it public if they deem necessary? Wouldn't you try and keep yourself in a low profile so you don't get assassinated? He doesn't seek money may be because the North Korean was/is supporting his mission.
@@longnguyenfromusa still on kims payroll.... why else would he water down NKs role in torturing innocent americans, lying about otto warmbier.
Wow. Bravo to the interviewer too. He made all the right questions.
Hello, from Perú. Great interview! ... Cheers to Chul-eun Lee, he is a very brave man.
Otto faced a fate worse than death. Imagine being forced into a fake confession, being promised you'll be released, then being chemically induced to be brain-dead, and being shipped back to the US as a bargaining chip in a deal, while "being alive" as a living corpse. Edit: To the replies, no Otto didn't "deserve" this. There's no verifiable evidence he even stole a propaganda poster. The camera footage could've been faked with someone else, and he could've been framed and used as a scapegoat.
@@AntonLennikov You act like many people can just resist torture lol. You’d probably break within a day, as would most people that don’t have specific training against torture.
@@AntonLennikov I knew him personally and I promise you he’s stronger and braver than you’ll ever be.
@@AntonLennikov Hey, it's easy to type what I WOULD DO. It must be just as easy, right? 🙄
@@AntonLennikov ahh so you were there with him right
The guy literally acted like an idiot and when all he had to do was visit and level he brought it on himself.
I've heard several defectors make the statement, "if North Korea kills me, they kill me" or something similar. I can't imagine living with this kind of thing hanging over my head. Thank you too all those telling their stories regardless of the personal consequence. True bravery.
The USA and Russia did and still do the same thing. North Korea never lied to attack countries and take their ressources half way around the world!
Pretty easy to live with when you're not actually a North Korean defector but are probably a South Korean working for the CIA.
well they are used to this idea in North Korea. Even when living in there, they are constantly under the threat. So when they decide to leave and speak out, it is the same mindset they have.
Consider that they might say this in order to show bravery and defiance to the North Korean government, otherwise North Korean officials may find it even easier to eliminate them.
It's the same as if you die, you die.
Perfectly well-handled interview with an amazing guest, who is more eloquent than most people.
He is indeed a villian without showing to the world
My first view of your channel. I found it very interesting and very appropriate in today’s world. Thanks so much for posting. Best wishes to you and yours.
I appreciate the empathy he showed for the prisoners and north Koreans, which is no simple feat when you've been raised and conditioned in the social climate of North Korea . I hope he can find what he needs financially to continue sharing his story
"Due to this financial difficulty, I'm currently taking a leave of absence." Honestly I am shocked. In this age he could document his experiences into a book or do some online videos just talking about his life and he should be making an insane amount of money.
I feel like he needs to gain credibility and acceptance that his degree would bring him. He probably realises that basically anyone can publish a biography these days, but just wants for his words to have more weight and dignity.
Agreed
He did address that in 39:54
he can certainly make a lot of money with this, but for that he would have to sell out and tell a bunch of lies about North Korean and pro-western propaganda. The type of stuff Yeonmi Park does. But unlike Yeonmi Park, Chul-eun Lee doesn't seem to be a grifter that sells his country for profit, so he chooses to deal with the difficulty of the South Korean ruthlessly capitalistic work environment, which is one of the worst in the so called "developed" world. I have mad respect for the dude.
In order to make large profit, you would have to probably be some poster child in the west like Yeon mi park. Milking the sob story while making Americans feel good about themselves, this dude just wants a better life which makes his story so much more refreshing and most importantly balanced. Also he is still in south korea which doesn't really give him an advantage marketing wise.
He is incredibly well-spoken, deep and analytic in his statements, he really knows how to speak. I loved the anecdotes about his College classes.
His honesty is is both enlightening and terrifying...I hope he can find safety and contentment one day.
During my time in prison, I immersed myself in reading books authored by North Korean defectors. The experience left an indelible impression on me, highlighting that there are numerous people around the globe who have undergone more hardships than I have, despite not being incarcerated. The books I read were marked by a recurrent theme - the daily struggle with hunger faced by many North Koreans. Meanwhile, although I was serving my sentence for my wrongdoings, I received three meals a day, plus a salary that enabled me to purchase additional food and snacks. This made me realize that life is not equitable.
@Chloe Seay Yes I can name those I remember here: Dear Leader: My Escape from North Korea - Jin-sung Jang A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea - Masaji Ishikawa I recommend them if you like adventurous escape stories.
That’s a great story. Clearly I don’t know your particulars but you seem to have taken that “down time” to self reflect and grow as a human and I applaud that. You’re also absolutely right about life not being fair. It just isn’t but being able to put things into perspective helps you move forward with your life. I hope you are doing good today and wish you the best.
An attitude of gratitude, despite circumstances, shows a mature soul.
25 000 people die every day due to hunger related causes. Food is certainly not so obvious as it is for many of us
What were you in for? Pedophoellia? 😂
Another great interview! He's clearly intelligent and knowledgeable and I have big RESPECT for him. Despite his current challenges, he still keeps a positive attitude and that's commendable. I pray that more people will be able to help him out if they can. Stay strong Mr. Lee and keep going!
It goes to show you the sincerity of appreciating a better opportunity in life after coming from a horribly repressive dictatorship as your reality.
One of my favorites KZhead. Channel. Even living far from South Korea (I'm Brazilian), I would like to share my gratitude for everyone who makes Asian Boss, an intense and very important job , no matter wherever you are. Here, in Brazil AsianBoss is an very spread channel. Great Interviews and responsibility.
Keep this Man under constant CARE!!! NEW SUBSCRIBER as of today!!!
Hope he gets enough support to finish his degree! Thank you for the interview
His degree in North Korean Studies 😂 but seriously, I hope so too and I hope he will be able to live a fulfilling life in SK.
We appreciate your continued support and are doing our best to bring you the most authentic voices and stories from Asia (not every video will be as serious as this one). If you want to show support to Chul-eun, his PayPal email is Lgh871111@gmail.com
Is that first letter a i or an L?
Was this interview facilitated by the KCIA? Are you aware of the criticisms of these kinds of interviews that have been levelled previously against people who conduct them?
Thank you asian boss
@@LoolooandMarco i think that is small letter L.
North Korea is the worst country that ignores the people who fire missiles indiscriminately, cause nuisances, and commit crimes.
I had always wanted to know what really happened to OW. You could tell that he’d been tortured in some way but I couldn’t find any information on their methods. Being beaten by the guards and then chemically tortured by some sort of drug to erase his memory makes sense now, this ex-spy confirms the methods that they use. That helps me understand why OW looked the way he did and why he eventually died of his torturous injuries he sustained at the hands of his kidnappers. My condolences to his family and friends for having to live through this absolute tragedy.
His teeth were described as having been rearranged.
and the waterboarding is enough to deprive your brain from oxygen hence getting into coma which happened :(
The spy did not confirm that he was drugged. He said that it is his opinion that he was drugged and that he is only 70% to 80% sure of this.
What happened to OW is that he, like so many (especially young) people today, from the perspective of their Western freedom and comfort, couldn't imagine what a communist dictatorship really was. Many seem to think it's some kind of Disneyland theme park, a bit funny with its ridiculous slogans and posters, or maybe even kind of cool with its anti-capitalist and revolutionary vibes - maybe they heard about the forced labour camps, the starvation, the surveillance, but they cannot really imagine it. They cannot really imagine that a place exists where stealing a poster is enough to end your life. To me, how he actually died is of little importance - they killed him. I am deeply sorry for him in his ignorance and hope others in his generation will wake up from the phantasies they have about communism before they go about recreating it.
Also note there was no autopsy since the parents denied the procedure. Without an autopsy, the amount of analysis was extremely limited. However, it was clear there was no dental trauma, nor were there are any signs of blunt force trauma. Chemical analysis of tissues in the organs could likely have revealed anything unusual.
I totally hope he starts a patreon it would be amazing to support him and hear from him monthly
Incredibly insightful, and helps me think differently about North Korea and just what they are truly capable of. You've interviewed him twice, but truly, this is a a "once-in-a-lifetime" interview. A person with this kind of access, background, history.. no one else in the world can provide this kind of interview. Incredible!
What this guy says actually makes sense. Not the standard BS we're usually fed with
lol sheep... everything you know about nord korea is from the media. brainwashing successful
Have you deigned to consider what the U.S. is capable of? Like bombing a country and wiping out 15% of their population . . . deliberately? This is what the U.S. did to North Korea. And it is in part responsible for what North Korea is today.
when chul-eun lee was seemingly making statement on the difference between north and south korean economic systems, the interviewer caught it immediately that it was really more about the difference between mr. lee's station in his life before and after his defection. it's not as simple as capitalism vs. guided economy, there are also class issues involved. kudos to the interviewer for the graceful redirect
Thank you for reporting on this. Just subscribed.❤
Thanks for everything you do
Such an informative interview. He’s so well spoken and his answers are all logical and insightful. I admire his bravery for leaving behind the comfort of his rank and connections and choosing to live amicably in South Korea. I firmly believe his situation will take a turn for the better after this interview. Thank you so much Asian Boss for your good work 👏🏻
I give this man massive respect. He seems 100% genuine and truthful with what he has experienced, and I appreciate that he isn't telling us fluff about things he doesn't know about, just what is his opinion. The fact that he could be attacked by other NA spies just for telling us these things means he is risking his life, potentially. What terrifies me the most is the biological weapons that NA could unleash just because they aren't being safe enough about it, or wanted to end all life. Those are the kinds of things that keep me up at night, especially after the global response to Covid was so botched. I love that this guy is just so thankful and happy to be out of North Korea, and appreciative of the people who have tried to support him financially so he can continue going to school and learn more. He is doing everything he can to atone for anything bad he had to do while in NA, or just to make a better life. I love his idea of economic reunification where they have an island to trade. That is such a fantastic idea to slowly mix two cultures together and change things over time. People are way more amenable to change when it's slowly I have to agree with him that going it alone with studying and working and trying to survive almost isn't possible in some places, it is so much easier with a support system, or just family to help you go at it. I really feel for the people in North Korea who probably had so much stress when the border with China shut down. I can't imagine living in NA and starving AND one of your only routes for trade is cut off, AND nobody else in the world even cares about you because you live in North Korea. I thought I would only watch the part about Otto Warmbier, but I ended up watching the entire video because it was so fascinating. I wonder if Otto's parents will also watch this interview, hoping to get more answers.
you trust easy lmao
@@totalwarpersia9292 what does he has to gain with the information he shared? fr, I'd put my money on him being genuine, too.
@@totalwarpersia9292 and what are your reasonable arguments on why he's not genuine?
@@halsxxbecause he’s not a fool that blindly believes everything he sees on KZhead ?Why do you go about life being blindly accepting of everything everyone says?
@@coffee.3.4 i didn't even say anything about ME believing, i was asking that person..and saying that someone is not a fool is not an argument that states facts about the topic
Thank you for bringing this kind of stories!
fantastic interview, he is really insightful while remaining honest and objective. very impressive!
I don't follow every Asian Boss video that closely, but this interview kept me intrigued all the way. Very well done interview!
Moral of the story: DO NOT EVER ATTEMPT to travel to North Korea if you are a US citizen or even just a US green card holder, because you will surely become an easy target for spying allegations. I personally don't see anything worth going there. For one, North Korea charges an arm & a leg for you to go there. Two, once you're in there, you're basically not left alone by the North Korean handlers (there's also a huge possibility that the hotel rooms have multiple spy cameras so they can monitor your every move, even when you're not physically with them). And lastly, you may become a political prisoner just on a whim if you've somehow pissed off any of the elites while you're there.
Yup, yup and yup.
Did you not listen to what he said? He vandalized the hotel. That would get you arrested in any country. Plenty of Americans travel to NK every year and they are fine.
@asdf vandalism is bad, but they did more than arrest the guy. That's a bit of an understatement 🤨
@@oomay1925 They do the same thing in the US all the time. I don't see why you get so worked up about it. I rather none of this would ever happen, but I have to point out the hypocrisy
@@asdf3568someone has taken down a poster in the US had their teeth rearranged and a lobotomy?
This man is exceptionally brave, thank you for sharing this information, I wish the whole world would hear about it.
Everything this brave man says makes so much sense of events. Many thanks to him.
After a year, this man is still alive and kicking. Respect to this guy's courage for doing another interview.
Even if I am not a North Korean, I can clearly know that these are lies. The daily food, medical care, education, houses and jobs of North Koreans are all distributed by their government for free. It is equivalent to no cost for them to live. A month's salary is very low but equivalent to pocket money. These so-called very few people who escaped from North Korea are just some people who like the material life of the West and fabricate false news in order to satisfy the stories that Western politicians want. Like every country America is hostile to these days. Everyone who fled to America from a hostile country loves to lie and make up news to attack their home country. It can be said that the United States has adopted a bunch of liars haha. And you folks believe it without thinking, and even bought their books
Thanks so much for this. I've always wondered what happened to Otto and felt for his plight. May his family find ways to go on and remember his spirit.
Very insightful content as always
Thank you so much for bringing this to us.
인터뷰를 너무참 잘하셨습니다.
2:35: 😷 The interviewee discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in North Korea and the difficulties faced by its citizens. 6:59: 🇰🇵 The current situation in North Korea is dire, with a lack of food and a struggling economy due to trade restrictions and the impact of COVID-19. 14:00: 📰 The interview discusses North Korea's potential for war and its military capabilities. 20:51: 📚 The speaker discusses the case of a US student who was accused of being a spy in North Korea. 33:15: 🔍 The interviewee believes that the person who was accused of being a spy in North Korea was likely forced to take drugs and experienced stress-induced health issues. 36:44: 😳 The speaker discusses their thoughts on North Korea's nuclear program and the lack of options for resolving the issue. 45:19: 🌐 The speaker opposes immediate reunification between North and South Korea and suggests gradual exchange and cooperation in designated areas like Gyeongdongdo. 46:41: 🤝 The speaker wants to promote understanding and exchange between North and South Korea, emphasizing the importance of accurate information about North Korean society. Recap by Tammy AI
The timestamp is already presented on description, dummy
Thank You, your post very helpful!
Thankyou mahn i am sure this will help lots of people
Great work, thanks for the descriptions. This should be pinned!
Thank you for this ❤
What an amazing man and a great interview!
he explained how his experience for literally being a defector is overlooked as compared to the advanced academic holders yet he himself is very well articulated and give fair opinions. respect
i think he underestimated his believability by the public. i for one would believe what he says from his own experience than some academic Professors who only studied North Korea. I am also of the opinion that Otto was definitely drugged when i saw he got off the plane in a vegetative state and it was announced there were no signs of being beaten. To beat him would be too blatant. Like he said, no one should go to NK for holiday as they can deem you a spy even when you are not. On the whole, I don't think he is really saying anything that is truly derogatory of NK.
How can you ‘literally’ be a defector?
@@indigo8021 I'll make two assumptions about the motive for your comment. The first that you are asking genuinely and not using low brow sarcasm. The second is that you're a English language learner. The gentleman can 'literally' be a defector because the word "defector" means: "someone who leaves a country, political party, etc., especially in order to join an opposing one:" So if, in English someone writes in a non formal English, as used in online forums and comment sections, that another person is "literally... a defector" that means that the conversational English meaning is "the person is in fact a defector" because the word 'literally' means "the basic meaning of the word". This means that literal is a synonym of words such as accurate, real, exact and so on. It is not referring to literature and is the antonym of figurative. The person is saying that the gentleman is accurately described as a defector, which is factually correct. He's not a metaphorical defector, is he? I've seen a lot of idiots on the internet getting upset because of the word "literally" even when people use it correctly. These same rotten brained imbeciles don't have any issue when they read, "I will" instead of "I shall" or "if it was" instead of "if it were". This is, IMHO because it has become fashionable to complain about this word in a similar manner to how complaining about "problematic" and "ironic" were also common tropes. Funny that no one corrected the, "I could care less" ignorance. Quite frankly your comment was incorrect in formal English too. You wrote, "How can you 'literally' be a defector?" but the OP was not writing about him or herself, he or she was referring to a third party so you should have written, "How can _one_ 'literally' be a defector?" "One" is the English language pronoun that people should use instead of "they" when referring to a non demon possessed individual who thinks that he or she is neither male nor female. Definitions from the Cambridge Dictionary. Cambridge being a university in the UK that is older than all anglophone countries except the UK having been founded in 1209.
@@indigo8021 Just to clarify, I'm not saying that the UK was a country before 1209. I'm merely simplifying the matter because Americans in particular seem to find the basic geography of Britain hard enough to comprehend without getting into details about historic kingdoms and so on.
@@CandiceGoddard that was a pile of waffle with absolutely no relevance to my comment but thanks for playing 👍🏻
This is my first video watching Asian Boss. What an outstanding job, they did with this. I don’t know Chul-eun’s entire story, but as far as this interview goes, he’s an incredibly, genuine, grounded, and well-spoken, young man. I wish him all the best.
Amazing interview watched from Texas USA. Thank you for sharing truth about North Korea. I learned so much. I will send support - what a great man!
Thank you for this interview. It made me emotinal again. I was in North Korea end of December 2015 to early 2016. On the way to North Korea Otto was one or two seats behind me in the plane. He looked just like alot of the other visitors young people who where thinking to get the experience of a lifetime. On the way back in the train we heard that he was arested on the airport. I remember the feeling it gave me and others in the way back. I was with a different travel organisation. But did stay at same hotel (middle of the river in Pyongyang). During our stay we did hear. The tour group he was with did do 'stupid' and naïeve things. As getting away during the New year party to walk around in the city unatended. And get very drunk. In addition i have seen some people harresing the personel in the hotelbar after a few drinks. I did not see Otto do any of those things. But im sure it where people from his tour group. I'm still thinking about how naïeve I and a lot of the other travelers where going to North Korea. Doing something stupid at a young age is easy. In the end he was punished at most for being a brad. Not any serious crime and Unfortunaly had to pay with his life. I hope that any travel to NK with western companies will be banned in the future. As people don't see the risk when guided tours are offered. For Otto this van comes to late. RIP Otto.
Americans are self entitled and when the go to foreign countries they think they can get away with anything because they are Americans. It's unfortunate because foreign countries have different laws and these laws whether aggregious or not must be respected.
>not serious crime He broke into “staff only” room and broke important things there. And he did it in drunken state. Drunken state makes punishment more severe in EVERY country And because he didn’t understand specifics of DPRK he decided to kill himself (while PRK would send him back home anyway, just after some time)
It's still not clear whether Otto did this or not. I saw a video of him which looked like the 5th floor of the Pyongyang Hotel and it showed his face and he was smiling. I have only seen it once. He did not take anything. Americans think they can do anything in other countries and get away with it. They have a sense of entitlement. Especially the young. They don't realize that breaking laws in other countries can have serious consequences.
@@danielk934 No one cares
@@jomr4249 ok, and?
I never saw the first interview, nor am I subscribed to Asian boss, but this interview was a rare gem to watch. I'm so glad to know that I'm not the only one thinking that sudden reunification is a bad idea. Props to this madlad for giving everyone a part two. I'm off to watch part one, and subbing to this channel. Well done! You sir, are an amazing gentleman, and I respect you for having the courage to share your story. I wish you nothing but the best for your future. Regards, an Aussie.
While 27:50 makes me cautious, I agree with 45:15 him on reunification for sure - and the fact that he discourages unconditional aid and visits to NK
Wishing for this man's safety and success
Just a Christian walking by. I publicly confess my faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour. Amen. Thanks
@@shawnsangikkimkinggod4242omg stop proselytizing. It's always the Christians, Jehovahs Witnesses and Muslims that run around forcing their religious bs everywhere they can. It's unwarranted, unneeded and harassing. Y'all get your panties twisted over atheists - yet atheists never go around everywhere online screaming about their lack of any belief. STOP PROSELYTIZING & PUSHING YOUR STUPID RELIGIONS AT INNOCENT PEOPLE. Religion has nothing to even do with this video. Go join Your People in the religious section of KZhead and the internet as a WHOLE. Yay you love Jesus. Big deal.
I’ve been watching Asian Boss for a long time and this interview is top of top. Hope to support both Asian Boss and Chul-Eun. Brave men!!
I got this recommended to me out of the blue, and I'm glad I got to see this video! Very informative and interesting to hear what this ex-spy said!
I went to High school with Otto and I just want to say he was one the nicest and funniest guys I’ve ever met, he was prom-king and well loved by everyone and definitely did not deserve his fate. Rest in Peace Otto !!!!
yea right
@@italianmiltyfriedman6264 thanks I know already
What is porn-king?
smoking northamericakorean pack ottoman and all that dont mean nothing you dont know his true intentions
@@yesboy4072 neither do you :)
I appreciate the way Chul-eun Lee speaks so frankly. No cherry-picking or embellishing. Just straight to the point. It gives added weight to his words that, at times, can be rather chilling. I also like his pragmatic attitude. He's positive but also realistic.
30:02 This is what you're here for. Great interview, the interviewer asked some amazing questions, almost read my mind.
Thoroughly enjoyed. The citizens of the world need to hear bright, well spoken and knowledgeable people speak about life in North Korea.
Much gratitude to those hosting this channel to bring such information to us via this interview. I thought the interview was very well done, and I thought Mr. Lee was quite impressive in the care with which he spoke (e.g., being certain to state things that were his opinion), and his choice to be quite honest and open, sharing not only his knowledge from his position in N. Korea, but also his interesting views on a path to bringing the societies together. I wish the channel well and may good fortunes come to Mr. Lee.
Amazing interview, thank you so much for sharing! Such an eloquent and intelligent man, I’m glad he’s able to share his experiences and knowledge with the world!
an amazing interview. Well done.
He deserves admiration for his informed stories and his balanced view of things Korean
Thank you so much for this interview! Fighting for the good cause amid such horrifying circumstances is the greatest human achievement I could ever imagine.
Thank you so much for putting this together. I am a cultural studies major, and have been curious to understand North Korea better ever since I was a child. I am so grateful for Mr Lee’s candid way of sharing insights into some of the most guarded knowledge. Thank you Asian Boss!
Just a Christian walking by. I publicly confess my faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour. Amen. Thanks
Cultural Studies Major?! Im sorry but what made you decide to pick that. Are there jobs in your area specifically asking for Cultural Studies Majors? I find it almost criminal what universities do these days in offering more or less garbage, skill-less degrees.
It is remarkable that this young man smiled a lot and seemed so relaxed given the horrendous circumstances he once lived under. The amount of human emotion common to us all must be so suppressed under that horrible regime. I am very glad for him that he had the courage to escape to live a better life.
like Yeonmi said, in DPRK there are no words for 'hope', 'freedom' or 'compassion'❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
It’s always better to hear from someone who has much experience and friends in different work area’s in N.K. I think the N. Korean young man has a bright future ahead of himself and I wish it the best. I took an interest in the Warmbier case mainly because he came from a devoted Jewish family. My strong belief is that Warmbier was signaled out among the other students because he was a Jew not because anyone thought him to be a spy. Because he was from a caring and loving family, he wasn’t accustomed to learning or having survival skills and that alone broke him down long before being put into a vegetative mental state. My heartfelt condolences forever remains with Otto’s parents. May Otto RIP.
Having lived and worked in Korea for 10 years, while married to a Korean man, I learned much about the North and South. His presentation is very solid and positive. Keep it up!!
Worry not, I turned my bell on so I get all the notification from Asian Boss and I'm always here supporting the channel. Although I barely comment on the video, I always watch the uploads. Thank you for another quality content Stay safe.
The saddest heart cannot be cover by a fake smiles & laughter.His eggs are empty,his smiles are short and his laughter are dry.There are so much thing lingering in his mind and his heart is heavy.His mind & heart is working hard in balancing that.
Much respect for this kind and sincere person. I hope he finds his happiness ❤❤
I'm not even sure how I came across this interview, but I truly enjoyed it. Thanks for the incredibly unique insight, and your willingness to provide an outlet of support for the man.
The algorithms target you by your interests
This man is incredible. He's intelligent, well-spoken, down to earth, modest, knowledgeable, he carries himself well, he's honest and has integrity. I could listen to him talk for hours. I only wish him the very best, he's a valuable person from every standpoint in my opinion, and others have a lot to learn from him.
Hats off to Chul-eun Lee. What an inspiring man!
What a freaking dope interview, I watched this straight without skipping. Very efficient and productive conversations, pls help and support this guy at all cost. He deserves his Masters and PhD, truly someone that lived and went deeper. Hand off and props to Asian Boss! More power❤🎉
The paypal account that email address is tied to is a different person! Y'all don't be sending money there..
Indeed. I hope representatives from Harvard, Yale, Oxford, Cambridge etc could listen and get this man a scholarship. I can’t even believe top university in South Korea didn’t give one to him. If Oxford can give one to Malala Yusafzai just because of she went through under Taliban then why not giving to this man?
@@murraybritton6729maybe he did that to avoid NK agents. NK is also known for cyber warfare and cyber crimes, so it make sense to hide your true identity to escape capture.
Great interview. Hearing things from the inside really sends chills down my spine. I have much respect for this guy, possibly putting his life on the line so that the truth gets out. He also explained everything well and even though is in a bad financial situation, he always remained humble and never asked for money. A nice man! Thanks Asian Boss for this series of interviews
Ikr, this guy doesn't get paid enough for this.
i wish there was a gofundme for him. I'd donate towards his college fund and I feel many others would too
Thanks for speaking out and telling your story! I've been an avid NK follower for years and I didn't know half the stuff you told here..very insightful...wishing you all the best!
Thanks a lot for your work.
Such a bright man! I wish him success in his goals for graduate school. Thank you for this insightful interview! And thank you for trying to change our world through a merging of North and South Korea, not drastically but slowly reunifying. I like his idea of the island where the two cultures can get together safely before the two nations start reunification. Excellent interview, excellent questions too.
This interviewer is excellent, top rate. He doesn’t get distracted, smoothly flows with the info coming in, doesn’t give his own opinion which we know must be superior, just stays cool and keeps the other talking. Masterly!
Thanks, very good interview. Good luck with your life
This young man is so brave. I hope he has much success in his life that he is also protected and stays safe from harm❤ Very intelligent and open minded wanting to teach others the truth of what lies across the DMZ be it good or bad because it can't all be bad right. We need to start to listen and learn to understand how the other half live in order to correct our pasts