Yeonmi Park is a defector and human rights activist from North Korea. Her daring escape from North Korea and subsequent activism for human rights earned her widespread acclaim. Yeonmi Park husband, Ezekiel, was an inexhaustible source of encouragement throughout her career. However, the duo separated after being together for three years.
Yeonmi’s tale is an inspiring example of the power of the human spirit, from her difficult beginnings in North Korea to her arduous trek to freedom. Today we will find out all about her and what led to her split with husband Ezekiel.
Here is a sneak peak into her bio followed by all you want to know about Yeonmi Park.
Name | Yeonmi Park |
Profession | Human rights activist, author, and speaker |
Date of Birth | October 4, 1993 |
Age | 30 |
Height | 5'5 (165 cm) |
Birthplace | Hyesan, North Korea |
Education | Kaesong University |
Years active | 2014-present |
Yeonmi Park husband | Ezekiel (married in 2017, divorced in 2020) |
Parents | Park Jin Sik, Keum Sook Byeon |
Children | One son, James |
YouTube channel | Voice of North Korea by Yeonmi Park |
Instagram account | @yeonmipark |
Nationality | North Korean, South Korean, American |
Religion | Christianity |
Favorite food | Kimchi |
Table of Contents
Yeonmi Park Net Worth
Yeonmi Park has discussed how difficult it was for her to leave North Korea as a child and how she eventually settled in South Korea. Her ordeal inspired her to pen the memoir “In Order to Live.” Park has amassed a sizable fortune because of her work’s widespread popularity and critical acclaim.
Park is estimated to be worth between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000. The fortune of Ezekiel, Yeonmi Park ex husband is unknown. She became wealthy through public appearances, book sales, and ad revenues on her YouTube channel.
Park’s wealth attests to her effectiveness as a human rights advocate. She has employed her fame to draw notice to the plight of North Korean citizens and inspire others to advocate for their beliefs. Park’s prosperity is a testament that one can overcome hardship and triumph.
Yeonmi Park net worth 2023 | $5 million |
Yeonmi Park net worth 2022 | $1 million |
Yeonmi Park net worth 2021 | $900,000 |
Yeonmi Park net worth 2020 | $800,000 |
Yeonmi Park net worth 2019 | $700,000 |
Childhood And Early Life
Originally from Hyesan, North Korea, Yeonmi Park entered the world on October 4, 1993. Her parents, who worked for the North Korean government, had her after one other child. Yeonmi’s mother was a nurse, and her father was a military civil official.
Because of the policies of the North Korean government, Yeonmi’s family often went hungry as she grew up. She had firsthand experience with political repression and censorship, making her skeptical of governmental authority.
Yeonmi’s father was convicted of smuggling metals into China in 2002 and sentenced to 17 years in a work camp. Because of this, Yeonmi and her family had to downsize their living quarters and struggle financially.
Yeonmi’s mother decided to elope from North Korea in 2007 when Yeonmi was 13 years old. They were transported by traffickers across the icy Yalu River into China, where people traded them as slaves.
After a distressing time, Yeonmi and her mother managed to escape their abductors and seek refuge in Mongolia, where they contacted the South Korean embassy for help.
They were granted asylum in South Korea in 2009. South Korea is where Yeonmi Park husband and she met each other.
Career
Yeonmi Park is an activist, author, and public speaker for human rights, as you may well know. Her biography “In Order to Live” describes her advocacy and escape from North Korea, making her a household name.
In 2009, Yeonmi fled North Korea and made her way to South Korea, where she has been an outspoken critic of the North Korean regime and various types of tyranny ever since. She also began formal education, acquiring the language skills necessary to reach a wider audience with her message.
In a moving speech at the One Young World Summit in Dublin, Ireland in 2014, Yeonmi told her story of survival and urged more attention to human rights issues. Yeonmi’s statement gained widespread attention, and she quickly rose to prominence as a global human rights activist.
Yeonmi has been a featured speaker at other conferences since then, including the Oslo Freedom Forum, the Women in the World Summit, and the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy. She has also appeared on major networks and newspapers like CNN, BBC, and The New York Times.
Yeonmi’s autobiography, “In Order to Live,” was released in 2015 and became a New York Times best-seller. Her ordeal in North Korea, as a victim of human trafficking, and her subsequent activism are all covered in the book. The book has received high marks for its moving story of perseverance and optimism.
Yeonmi Park Husband and Lifestyle
Since Yeonmi Park’s escape from North Korea in 2007, she has experienced a major shift in her way of life. She and her son have relocated to the Big Apple. Thanks to her work as a human rights activist and public speaker, she has a sizable online following.
Park still lives a rather basic existence, but she now has access to food, education, and freedom—things she lacked in North Korea. She can go anywhere globally and tell others about what she has seen and done. Her financial stability allows her to provide her son with a better upbringing than she did. Her goal in life is to make the world a better place for everyone.
Yeonmi Park husband Ezekiel was a helpful collaborator who encouraged her in her career. He has collaborated with Park on multiple occasions and advocates for human rights. She and her ex-husband have a friendly relationship despite their divorce.
Park’s way of life drastically differs from what she knew in North Korea. But she is thankful for the chances she has been given and plans to use her celebrity status for good.
Controversy
In recent years, Yeonmi Park has drawn criticism for several reasons. The accusation that Park has embellished her time in North Korea is one of the most commonly directed at her. They said her strong views on the country are comparable to those of other defectors. Park, for instance, claims to have witnessed executions on the streets, whereas other defectors claim they saw nothing.
The accusation that Park simply speaks for the South Korean government is another common one against her. Some have speculated that the North Korean government is employing her to foster a negative stereotype of the country. Park has refuted these claims, maintaining that she operates independently and is not subject to governmental interference.
Park’s political beliefs have also come under fire. She has been an outspoken opponent of the current administration in North Korea. People have argued her beliefs are not conducive to establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula and that she is too radical.
Yeonmi Park social media
Yeonmi Park is well-known for using social media to tell her narrative and promote equality. She has over 500,000 Instagram followers and over 1.12 million YouTube subscribers. Yeonmi Park husband is entirely absent from the online world.
Park uses Instagram to document her daily life and provide updates about her career. She regularly interacts with her followers and responds to their inquiries via Instagram.
Park’s channel on YouTube is titled “Voice of North Korea by Yeonmi Park.” She has vlogs on this channel, discussing her time in North Korea, her beliefs about human rights, and her take on current events. She also interviews other defectors from North Korea and specialists in the country. Yeonmi Park is active on the following social networking sites:
@yeonmipark | 568K followers | |
YouTube | Voice of North Korea by Yeonmi Park | 1.1 million subscribers |
@YeonmiParkNK | 175K followers | |
Yeonmi Park | 262K followers |
Yeonmi Park Husband
Ezekiel and Yeonmi Park were married from 2017 to 2020. Ezekiel is an American national whom Park met while living in South Korea. They shared custody of their kid until their divorce in 2020.
Yeonmi Park husband Ezekiel age and more details about him are not public, and we know very little about him. However, he is a Christian and has backed Park’s efforts to promote human rights.
Park has been mum on why she decided to end her marriage, but she has admitted that it was a tough call. She has also stated that she is committed to being an activist and a parent to her kid.
The topic of Yeonmi Park fiance often comes up online. However, she is currently single. It’s worth noting that Park is protective of her privacy and hasn’t revealed much about her life outside of work. But she is a strong, self-reliant lady committed to her career success.
Income Streams
Park’s speaking engagements fetch a hefty fee because of her high demand. Royalties from the sale of Park’s best-selling book, “In Order to Live,” have provided her with financial security.
She speaks out about her experiences and many human rights concerns on her widely-viewed YouTube channel. She receives payment for her YouTube videos with ad income. Park’s list of endorsements includes household names like Nike and Samsung. These collaborations are a source of income for her.
Why Should You Follow Yeonmi Park?
Yeonmi Park’s story of perseverance and activism is an uplifting example of what one can accomplish when people fight for their beliefs. If you follow her, you’ll receive the inside scoop on pressing issues and find out how you can make a difference.
Her story of perseverance and optimism shows that improvement is possible, no matter how dire the circumstances. You should follow Yeonmi Park because of the following reasons:
- Park is a role model to many. Park has persevered through insurmountable challenges and devoted her life to assisting others. Her experience demonstrates that finding light amid the most profound darkness is possible.
- She has extensive knowledge of the North Korean government and culture. Park is a North Korean insider who has witnessed the regime’s atrocities firsthand. She has a wealth of knowledge to share about the culture and people of the country.
- She fights tirelessly for civil liberties. Park dares to speak out against wrongdoing and is determined to change the world.
- Yeonmi is a speaker who will make you think. Every one of Park’s talks leaves the audience with food for thought. She encourages fresh perspectives by posing questions to her listeners.
You should follow Yeonmi Park if you’re curious about North Korea and human rights or want to be moved by an incredible true story. She is a fantastic woman who is changing the world for the better.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Yeonmi Park story?
In 1992, Yeonmi Park entered this world in North Korea. She had a hard upbringing in a totalitarian regime’s poor conditions. She ran to China with her mom in 2007 and stayed there for a while, hiding out. They were finally allowed to relocate to South Korea in 2014.
2. What are some of Yeonmi Park’s most significant obstacles?
Yeonmi Park knows what it’s like to live in extreme poverty. She, too, has experienced bias and exclusion.
3. Is Yeonmi Park already taken?
Yeonmi Park does not have a husband. Her marriage to Ezekiel lasted from 2017 until 2020, ending in divorce. She is a single parent, taking care of her son alone.
4. What are Yeonmi Park’s most notable achievements?
Yeonmi Park has a long list of impressive achievements under her belt. She managed to flee North Korea, publish a book detailing her ordeal, and now works tirelessly to promote human rights. She has also given speeches at events worldwide, encouraging audiences to fight for their values.
5. Where does Yeonmi Park hope to take her career?
In the future, Yeonmi Park hopes to keep advocating for human rights and bring attention to the condition of the North Korean people. She hopes that sharing her story might encourage others to pursue their own.
Final thoughts
The story of Yeonmi Park, a North Korean defector turned notable human rights champion, has captivated audiences around the globe. Her bravery, resilience, and persistence in fighting for freedom and human rights have encouraged many.
If you’re interested in learning more about the challenges people encounter in countries with authoritarian governments and about Yeonmi Park ex husband, you can follow her on YouTube.