The first of its kind this book provides a unique inside look into the hidden world of ordinary North Koreans. Mike Kim who worked with refugees on the Chinese border for four years recounts their experiences of enduring famine sextrafficking and torture as well as the inspirational stories of those who overcame tremendous adversity to escape the repressive regime of their homeland and make new lives.One of the few Americans granted entry into the secretive ampampquotHermit Kingdomampampquot Kim came to know the isolated country and its people intimately. His North Korean friends entrusted their secrets to him as they revealed the governmentampamp39s brainwashing tactics and confessed their true thoughts about the repressive regime that so rigidly controls their lives.