Kim Cheol-woong

Kim Cheol-woong (born 1974) is a North Korean pianist who defected to South Korea.^[2]

Early life

Kim came from a privileged background in North Korea: his father was a member of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, while his mother was a university professor.^[1] His musical skills were spotted at an early age, and after his graduation from the Pyongyang University of Music and Dance^[1] he was sent abroad to study at the Moscow Conservatory from 1995 to 1999.^[3] After completing his studies in Moscow he returned to North Korea, where he became a pianist with the State Symphony Orchestra.^[1]

Defection and aftermath

Some time after his return to North Korea, Kim was denounced to North Korea's State Security Department by an anonymous informant who heard him practicing the Richard Clayderman song "A Comme Amour" on his piano at home. Kim had learned the song while in Russia, and intended to use it to propose to his girlfriend. The authorities forced him to write a ten-page self-criticism, but his family background protected him from further punishment. Nevertheless, he states that this incident was what sparked his decision to defect.^[4]

In October 2001, Kim stole the equivalent of US$2,000 from his mother, and set off for the China–North Korea border.^[1][3] He left a note behind for his girlfriend telling her not to wait for his return. He was caught by border guards at the Tumen River, but used the money to bribe them for his release, and successfully crossed over into China. There, he worked at a lumber mill and occasionally played the piano at a church. About a year later, he obtained a forged South Korean passport, and left China for South Korea.^[4]

In 2004, Kim began teaching at Hansei University.^[1] He later became known internationally as a concert pianist, and started his own orchestra in South Korea.^[4]

References