North Korean Defector Jeon Ju-yeong's Story Gains Late Attention
First Salary in Korea 1.87 Million Won... Surprised by the Amount
"Cried Hard After Spreading Salary at Home"
A story about Jeon Ju-young, a North Korean defector who couldn't believe receiving her first paycheck in South Korea, is gaining attention. On the 12th, an online community saw a delayed spread of Jeon's 'first paycheck' story, which she shared on a YouTube channel run by a fellow defector last March. According to the video, Jeon was born in Hamheung, South Hamgyong Province, and came to South Korea alone in July 2005.
At that time, Jeon said she felt the need for a stable job after experiencing various kinds of work in South Korea. She also thought, "Since I came to Korea and am living with care, I want to try helping others," so she obtained a social worker certificate and started working at a nursing home. When the host asked, "How did you feel when you received your first paycheck?" Jeon replied, "I cry again when I think about it now. I received 1,870,000 won at that time. At first, I couldn't believe it because the money wasn't actually in my hand."
Although she received an email confirming the salary payment, she couldn't believe the money since she hadn't seen it with her own eyes. Jeon said, "They said the money was in my bank account, so I immediately took my bankbook and went to the bank to check. When I saw that 1,870,000 won was deposited, I wondered, 'Is this real?' and took all the money out. At that time, there were no 50,000 won bills, so I brought home three or four envelopes filled with 10,000 won bills."
She reportedly spread out the paycheck at home and cried her heart out. Jeon said, "I thought, 'You can get paid like this for helping others,'" adding, "This is like a dream in North Korea." She continued, "In North Korea, the monthly salary is 1 dollar. Considering the exchange rate at that time, I would have had to work for 145 years to earn this 1,870,000 won. I was stunned."
She also shared, "When I went to work and gathered with people, I told them I received my first paycheck. The team leader asked, 'Is the salary too little?' and I answered, 'It's too much.' Then the team leader said, 'If you work hard, you can earn more.' There were many hardships at work, but I still thought, 'Let's do more.' When I told the employees, 'The minimum wage you earn is the amount of money you would have to work 145 years to get in North Korea,' they laughed," she said.
Netizens who watched the video responded with comments such as, "The story of the first paycheck of 1,870,000 won touches my heart," "I hope you succeed since you found freedom," and "I will always live with a grateful heart."
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