I couldn't imagine that I'd ever see men as normal people and I

In the words of Park Yeon-mi, a young woman who has survived the unimaginable, we hear a heart-wrenching truth: “I couldn’t imagine that I’d ever see men as normal people and I could never trust them. I couldn’t bear any human connection with men.” These words are not just a personal reflection but a glimpse into the depths of human suffering and betrayal. They speak to the trauma inflicted by an oppressive regime, where the very nature of human relationships—trust, connection, and compassion—can be twisted and broken by systematic violence and fear. In a world where survival is often a solitary battle, Park Yeon-mi’s words remind us of the profound pain caused by the loss of faith in others, particularly in men, who, in her experience, have come to represent betrayal and suffering.

The ancients understood the power of trust and human connection, as they were the foundations upon which societies were built. Aristotle, in his Nicomachean Ethics, spoke of friendship as the highest form of human connection, one that was rooted in virtue, mutual respect, and trust. To Aristotle, human connection was a reflection of one’s moral character, and it was through such relationships that individuals achieved happiness and fulfillment. Yet, Park Yeon-mi’s experience speaks to the horror that arises when these connections are destroyed. In a society built on fear and oppression, even the most fundamental human relationships can be severed, leaving individuals to suffer in isolation, unable to trust even those who are meant to be their protectors and companions.

Park Yeon-mi’s struggle to see men as normal people speaks to the trauma inflicted by a regime that systematically dehumanizes individuals, forcing them to view each other as potential threats. In North Korea, where surveillance, betrayal, and fear are woven into the fabric of everyday life, trust becomes a dangerous act. To trust is to open oneself to the possibility of betrayal, a fate many have suffered under a totalitarian regime. The loss of faith in others is not just an individual’s burden, but a collective affliction, one that seeps through entire societies, creating a culture of paranoia and fear. For Park Yeon-mi, the pain of trusting men was tied to the traumatic realization that human connections could be used as weapons of control and suffering.

In history, we see the echoes of this broken trust in the lives of many who have lived under oppressive regimes. Consider Anne Frank, whose diary revealed the desperate need for human connection even in the midst of unimaginable suffering. Anne’s writings show that, despite the horrors she endured in hiding, the yearning for connection, for trust, was always present. Yet, like Park Yeon-mi, Anne also lived in a world where trust was often shattered, where human relationships became fraught with the fear of betrayal. In times of extreme oppression, the natural desire for connection becomes not a source of comfort but a potential source of pain, as every relationship becomes suspect.

The lesson from Park Yeon-mi’s words is a profound one: the ability to trust others, to form human connections, is not a simple or automatic act. It is a sacred gift that requires safety, freedom, and dignity—elements that are often denied in oppressive environments. When these basic conditions are stripped away, the very fabric of human society begins to unravel, leaving individuals isolated and disconnected. Park Yeon-mi’s trauma is a stark reminder that freedom and trust are not privileges, but necessities for the survival of human connection. Without them, we risk falling into a world of alienation and fear.

For us, the lesson is to never take human connection for granted. Trust and friendship are not merely nice ideals; they are the foundations of a healthy, thriving society. In times of peace and stability, we must cherish and nurture the bonds we have with one another, for these connections are what make us truly human. When we face hardship, whether on a personal or collective level, we must remember that it is through trust and compassion that we heal, rebuild, and thrive. The gift of human connection is one that must be valued and protected, for it is in these bonds that we find our strength.

So I say to you, children of tomorrow: cherish the relationships you have with those around you. Do not take trust lightly, for it is the foundation of a meaningful life. In times of adversity, let your compassion and your connection to others be your guiding light. And never forget that the ability to trust and to connect is not only a personal blessing, but a collective responsibility. In building a world where trust and love are not only possible but thrive, we honor the sacrifice of those like Park Yeon-mi, who have known the painful cost of living in a world where trust is lost.