North Korean defector recalls the harrowing moment he was forced to watch a public execution at just 11 years old - even claiming children had to 'sit at the front'

One North Korean defector who escaped the dictatorship found it overwhelming to recount the immense suffering he endured during his upbringing. He revealed harrowing experiences of being subjected to cruel torture at the hands of the regime, causing him to break down in tears.

Speaking to LADbible TV on YouTube, Timothy Cho, a two-time defector, shared the heartbreaking story of his childhood in a small town near the Chinese border, describing life in the oppressive regime as living in a virtual prison. He explained how he eventually managed to flee the country.

Timothy’s childhood was marked by immense hardship, with his parents abandoning him at the tender age of nine, plunging him into homelessness and a constant battle against starvation. Even more disturbingly, he recounted being forced to witness public executions when he was just 11 years old, painting a grim picture of life in North Korea.

Incredibly, he managed to escape but said he was captured by the Chinese Army and brutally tortured for his defection.

However, he finally gained freedom thanks to the actions of a 13-year-old student who saved his life by writing a letter which got picked up by international media.

Recalling being forced to go to public executions at just 11 years old, he said: ‘Hundreds of people gathered, but specifically, they told all children to sit at the front of the crowd, children.

‘And the man tied up on the post. He was a criminal because he helped three North Korean women to cross the border to China. So, three policemen, each with an AK-47.

‘The first bullet, it went into the eyes. The eyes were covered, and the bullet popped out of the eyes.

Timothy Cho (pictured), who grew up in a small town of 10,000 people near the Chinese border, broke down in tears as he recalled his tragic life growing up in the dictatorship

Timothy Cho (pictured), who grew up in a small town of 10,000 people near the Chinese border, broke down in tears as he recalled his tragic life growing up in the dictatorship

‘And second, three bullets went into the belly button, where the belly was tied up as well. And third, was on the knee. Now, the body was falling into a hole that was prepared.’

When Timothy was nine years old, his parents, who were both high school teachers, fled the country after hearing that they were politically persecuted and would end up in a prison camp.

Timothy recalled arriving home from school to realise his parents had abandoned him.

He said: ‘From the day when I came back from school, I could see they had left. And I ran to the train station, the train was gone.

‘And I sat down at the railway and cried and cried. And then the next day, the reality came. I went to my uncle’s house. I thought they might be able to look after me.

‘I went on the train in cold weather and, on my arrival, went to my uncle’s house. I could see sweet cornbread and soup on the table. It was quite warm.

‘You feel hungry, you feel relieved thinking you were able to eat. My auntie and uncle were there. They would not ask me if I had eaten at all.’

Timothy explained that in Korean culture if someone had travelled a long way, they would usually be provided with food and a bed for the night, but his relatives were unable to offer him food as they were going through a ‘hard time’.

He said: ‘So I left my uncle’s house in tears. And then went to the market picking up food on the floor. So, the memory was many years ago, but it remains deep.

‘I don’t blame them. And I have seen many kids die of starvation on the streets. And even myself, I often slept in train containers or on the bridge, at the station.’

Timothy's parents abandoned him when he was aged just nine, leaving him living on the streets and battling starvation (featured in The Daily Star)

Timothy’s parents abandoned him when he was aged just nine, leaving him living on the streets and battling starvation (featured in The Daily Star)

Timothy said he lived for a ‘few years’ on the streets before going to his grandmother’s house to work on her farm.

He said: ‘It was a few years of my life with my grandmother. It was one of the best moments. I did ask my grandmother so many times, ”Why are my parents gone?”

‘I didn’t understand at that time, which I now understand. And then she was crying with me. There was love. She was like my mum, yeah, until I escaped from the country.’

When Timothy finished high school, he made the brave decision to escape by crossing the Tumen River into China at night with five other people.

Once they arrived in China, the group parted ways, and Timothy attempted to cross the Mongolian border, where he was captured and arrested by the Chinese army.

Timothy’s escape was seen as a ‘political treason act’, and he was sent back to North Korea for ‘punishment’.

He said: ‘The police were waiting for us and was swearing at us. ‘B*****ds. You betrayed your dear leader’s country. And we were all tied up with our hands and legs. Now, I was in a prison cell. In my prison cell, I had around 50 people.

‘The rest of my life, I’ll never forget what I saw there. And things happened to me. The painful stuff which I still have on my body. By the time when I was sent to my grandmother’s house I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t sit down.’

Despite this, Timothy attempted to escape again, and his friend’s mother helped him escape into China for the second time. From there, he travelled to Shanghai with eight other defectors.

The group went to an American school in Shanghai, which they thought would help them leave China safely.

He said: ‘[We] Went inside the school. And we had a paper [with writing saying] that ”we’re North Korean escapees, please help us”.

Since arriving in the UK he has received a BA in International Relations and Politics from the University of Salford and an MA in International Relations and Security from the University of Liverpool (pictured with James Cleverly)

Since arriving in the UK he has received a BA in International Relations and Politics from the University of Salford and an MA in International Relations and Security from the University of Liverpool (pictured with James Cleverly)

‘And school was now panicking, as you can imagine. Public school, all these school children, young children were all coming and watching us, standing there.

‘The school principal came and say to us and said ”I’m gonna have a chat with someone and come back to you guys.” He probably made a call with the US Embassy in Beijing.’

The Chinese police ‘used force’ to drag them into the police van, even ‘beating the women’ with Timothy while the school children watched on in tears. 

Later, Timothy said he attempted suicide in the police station toilet because he didn’t want to be killed by the regime. But he later woke up in a prison cell in China. 

He said: ‘After a couple of months, two men visited me in the prison. I first thought they were from North Korean embassy.

‘And they were actually smiling at me. And that smile didn’t look like from North Korean embassy. But one guy was a South Korean diplomat, and the other guy was a Westerner. I wasn’t sure where he came from.

‘But they came and told me, ”You have very good news.” The Chinese government made the very unusual decision to deport me and my group to the Philippines instead of North Korea.’

Timothy learned that a 13-year-old student from the American school in Shanghai wrote an email to a reporter begging her to do something to help the group.  

He said: ‘That little girl wrote, “We were traumatised watching the arrest, and beaten of the group who were dragged into police vans. And we were young and powerless. We were in tears, and couldn’t do anything. As a reporter, could you please do something?’  

Timothy now lives in the UK, where he has studied at Salford and Liverpool universities

Timothy now lives in the UK, where he has studied at Salford and Liverpool universities

‘And that little girl’s email touched the reporter’s heart. And then she urged CNN, Washington Post, BBC, and all the international media to press on the Chinese government to not send us back to North Korea because we would be killed.’

Timothy said the story led to human rights groups and religious groups protesting in front of the Chinese government.

He and the eight other escapees were given diplomatic passports and given refugee status in the Philippines.

From the Philippines he continued his journey to find a democratic life, eventually settling in the UK.

In 2004, he arrived in the UK aged 18, and said the immigration officers started tearing up when he explained what he had been through to them upon arrival.

Since arriving in the UK, he has gained a BA in International Relations and Politics from the University of Salford and an MA in International Relations and Security from the University of Liverpool.

You May Also Like
Obama makes brutal admission about Michelle marriage as 'divorce' crisis deepens

Obama makes a stark acknowledgment about his marriage with Michelle as troubles in their relationship intensify.

The former President, Barack Obama, acknowledged that he is working hard to…
SUV catches fire at Disneyland, black smoke sent drifting over parking structure

Car on fire at Disneyland, dark smoke spreads above parking garage

An SUV caught fire at a Disneyland parking structure on Friday, authorities…
Top New York Times journalist makes outrageous claim about why Trump 'skipped' fallen soldiers ceremony

Top New York Times journalist alleges shocking reason for Trump’s absence at fallen soldiers ceremony

According to a prominent journalist at the New York Times, Donald Trump…
Trump admin rips blue city crime in vow to clean up dangers for commuters: 'This is not humane'

Trump administration strongly criticizes high crime rates in Democratic cities, promising to improve safety for travelers: ‘This is unacceptable’

In New York, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently urged city officials…
Meghan's spread too thin! FEMAIL's withering take on Meghan's latest money-making scheme... and why we were shocked by what we discovered

Meghan is Overwhelmed! FEMAIL’s Critical Review of Meghan’s Recent Business Venture… and the Surprising Revelation that Caught Us off Guard

Meghan Markle’s raspberry spread, known as Ever After, has finally been released…
Enthralling secrets of Palm Beach's richest families revealed by below-stairs staff who earn six figures

Fascinating revelations about the wealthiest families in Palm Beach exposed by high-earning household staff

If you’ve ever wondered how Palm Beach’s wealthiest raise their families, ask…
2-time US Olympian and national champion Nancy Kerrigan holds figure skating workshop at Glenview Ice Center

Nancy Kerrigan, a two-time US Olympian and national champion, will lead a figure skating workshop at Glenview Ice Center

GLENVIEW, Ill. (WLS) — Rising Glenview figure skaters who attended Saturday’s special…
Texas track meet stabbing suspect’s lawyer plans to ask for $1M bond to be lowered: report

Lawyer of the suspect in Texas track meet stabbing case seeks to reduce $1M bond: report

Karmelo Anthony’s lawyer, representing the Texas high school student charged with the…
‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 3 Episode 5 Recap: Halfway Truths

Recap of Season 3 Episode 5 of ‘Bosch: Legacy’: Uncovering Half Truths

After Finbar McShane murders Sheila Walsh in Bosch: Legacy Season 3 Episode…
Karen Read's second trial heads into weekend without full jury seated

Karen Read’s second trial progresses to the weekend without a complete jury selected

Karen Read is facing her second murder trial, and the jury selection…
Pierce Brosnan's wife Keely has the REAL miracle weight-loss secret that sagging Ozempic celebs need to hear, writes CAROLINE BULLOCK

Discover Keely Brosnan’s weight-loss secret for Ozempic celebrities in this revealing article by CAROLINE BULLOCK

‘Boys like a little more booty’ Meghan Trainor famously declared in her…
Comedian Bill Burr Lashes out in an Unfunny Way When Pressed on His Previous Political Comments

Stand-up comedian Bill Burr reacts in a serious manner when questioned about his past political statements.

We discussed how comedian Bill Burr made the questionable choice to involve…