Yeonmi Park Speaks at UTEP
by Hunt Business Staff
Yeonmi Park, a prominent human rights activist and writer, recently spoke at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) during a new installment of the Leonard L. Read Public Speaker Series, hosted by the Center for Free Enterprise.
![](../../../Blog/_Files/032823_North-Korea-Defector-Lecture_jrh_115---Small.jpg)
Human rights activist Yeonmi Park speaks at the Undergraduate Learning Center on the UTEP campus.
Park shared her story of resilience and hope, detailing her journey defecting from an authoritarian state in her memoir, "In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom." The Leonard E. Read Public Speaker Series features experts in different fields related to the role of a free enterprise.
Park escaped the country at just 13, marking the start of her quest for freedom. Her journey after defecting started in China, through the Gobi Desert, and culminated with Park finding a new home in South Korea. There, she developed her voice and her story — emerging as a global voice of courage, determination and democracy.
"When humans die of starvation, the eyes are the first thing to be eaten. Starving North Korean children eat rats to survive," Park said through tears. "That's when I knew I had to leave no matter what."
Park's advocacy extends beyond her personal narrative. Using her platform, she's a voice for the oppressed, shedding light on the brutal realities of totalitarian regimes. Her desire to be free and seek a life outside North Korea became a driving force after her father died.
"With his dying breath, my father told me: 'life is worth fighting for, no matter what,'" Park said. "That kept me going."
Park's commitment to human rights earned her recognition as one of BBC's "Top 100 Global Women," which highlights strong, global female voices centered on advocacy.
Her latest book, "While Time Remains," highlights the ongoing struggles against cultural conflicts, identity politics, and authoritarianism.
The Center for Free Enterprise (C4FE) is an educational and research center housed in The University of Texas (UTEP) Woody L. Hunt College of Business. The Center was established in 2023 and advances research and education on the economic and social benefits of a free enterprise market environment.