The May Words Without Borders is out now featuring North Korean Defectors. A very interesting collection and timely.

Nonfiction by Shirley Lee

Introduction

The mere use of everyday language is a subversive act in the North Korean literary context.

Nonfiction by Park Gui-ok

I Want to Call Her Mother Again

After that day, I had no mother.

Translated by Sora Kim-Russell bilingual version

Nonfiction by Gwak Moon-an

The Poet Who Asked for Forgiveness

Because his poetry did not exalt Party ideology, his life could only end in tragedy.

Translated by Shirley Lee bilingual version

Poetry by Jang Jin-sung

Pillow

Nothing to offer but themselves / In Pyongyang’s marketplace

Translated by Shirley Lee bilingual version

Nonfiction by Ji Hyun-ah

The Arduous March

With rations cut off, people began to starve.

Translated by Sora Kim-Russell bilingual version

Poetry by Kim Sung-min

A Rice Story

Food bartered for your sister’s chastity.

Translated by Shirley Lee bilingual version