‘The one who survives is victorious’: North Korean defector hopes to reunite with her sister

North Korean defector Kim Kyu-li is afraid for her younger sister Kim Cheol-ok, who was allegedly deported by Chinese authorities in October 2023 after living in China for decades. Her sister is believed to be among hundreds of North Koreans who were deported after North Korea reopened its borders in early 2024 following the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. Kim said she made the risky decision to publicise the plight of her sister in hopes of keeping her alive.