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[ 16.7 ms ] story [ 950 ms ] thread
This is how hells are usually described. The general populace lives in a world of retribution: a gray, hopeless place surrounded by demons. Those even less lucky end up in the inner citadels, that are actual hells where demons harvest fear. The entire mini-world is managed by a small arch-demon. Escape is possible, but needs help from the outside.
Truly harrowing read, puts your petty life problems in perspective.
I think that the Caleb Mission meantioned in the article has a Youtube channel [0] and it has some narly videos from inside North Korea. Definitely worth checking out.

[0]: https://www.youtube.com/@calebministry

I highly recommend the book “nothing to envy”. It is a series of first hand accounts from N. Korean defectors/escapees. Truly unimaginably bad.

In that theme, I’d also recommend D-Day Through German Eyes (short), as well as Second-Hand Time (long). Both are also a collection of first hand accounts. The former is the experiences of the German soldiers during the D-Day offensive and their beliefs in their actions at the time. The latter is experiences of the fall of the Soviet Union (a fascinating read, but also the most harrowing and emotional book I have ever read)

I’ve had debilitating chronic pain recently. After reading the article, I’m currently unable to feel sorry for myself.
Comparing pain isn't a good thing, my friend. A person can still drown in a puddle while someone else drowns in the sea. Your pain is valid and matters just as much as theirs. Good luck to you. Take care of yourself. Look into spoon theory.
I recommend the book "Dear Leader" by Jang Jin-sung. A member of the elite, he escaped North Korea and his story is deeply moving.
The story doesn't even describe the escape methods. It's just a barrage of unsunbstantial emotional appeals.
They still want to get more folks out. Why would they describe the means and methods publicly for the DPRK to learn and adapt from?
That's fine, but then the title should be something else.
It's appropriate, but abstract.

How To Escape North Korea? Call Pastor Kim, exfiltration solutions architect.

In running an underground railroad in the modern age, no single method is necessarily going to work twice (every situation really is different), but this man appears to be a constant in coordinating escapes safely.