Settling in South Korea

Chapter 1: Defection
Ri Kon-Yung, Ri Ji-Min and Sapaeio were in a hospital while Sapaeio was being checked for rabies and other diseases, They defected from North Korea on September 17th 2027.

Ri Kon-Yung was hooked up to an IV drip and Ji-Min was gently holding his hand, she came back clear.

” (Ji-Min….are they going to send us back?)” Kon-Yung asked, he couldn’t go back to North Korea.

She gently shook her head.

“No…” She said softly.

Park In-hwan and several Korean soldiers had discovered them at a forest with Ri Kon-Yung barely being alive due to malnutrition, dehydration and malaria.

He was later taken to a hospital in Seoul alongside Ji-Min, who was found out she was four almost five weeks pregnant with twins.

While they were talking, a doctor walked into the room in In-hwan.

” (How are you feeling?)” He asked Kon-Yung and Ji-Min translated it into their Pyongyang dialect.

” (I’m sore…but comfortable…Will I be sent back home? I don’t want to go home…I’ll die there…)” Kon-Yung replied, he sounded terrified.

In-hwan gently walked up and rubbed his shoulder.

”You won’t be sent home, I promise you.” In-hwan replied, “Get some rest.”

In-hwan turned to the doctor.

” (He’s responding to the malaria medication quite well…but he’s afraid of needles)” He said, “ (It’s like he’s never saw a needle before but I told him to turn towards his wife if he’s afraid of needles)”

Kon-Yung yawned and fell asleep.

” (Does Ji-Min know she’s pregnant?)” The doctor asked.

” (Yes, she was complaining her breasts felt really sore, She took a pregnancy test last night, Twins, Due for 26th May 2028)” He said.

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Four months later, January 2028, Kon-Yung had now fully recovered, His wife was temporarily living in the apartment, he found out the twins were a boy and girl.

He waved to the doctor weakly goodbye, he did look a lot healthier thanks to treatment and regular meals.

”We’re heading to my apartment.” In-hwan said, “Let’s go.”

In-hwan led Kon-Yung to his car, he sat in the front passenger’s seat while In-hwan sat in the driver’s seat.

”Ki-ok’s picked up some food on the way home.” He said, “She’s helping Ji-Min with her pregnancy and taking her to clinics.”

”I….am kind of hungry….” Kon-Yung said, his English improving greatly.

In-hwan nodded.————————————————

Once they arrived back at the apartment, In-hwan opened the door.

”In-hwan, come on in!” Ki-ok exclaimed, “I ordered KFC!”

Ri Kon-Yung felt his mouth water at the smell and sight, whatever this was, he didn’t have it back home.

He sat next to his wife, who then gave him a box of fries and fried chicken.

”Eat up.” She said. She gently chewed on a fry.

Without hesitation, he began to eat almost ravenously, it was pretty good for the most part.

“Easy there…” In-hwan said softly, “I got you two a new apartment, You have also been given money to start out, about ₩7,174,860, I would also like you and Ji-Min to attend a Hanawon, it’s a school to help North Korean settlers learn about South Korea, it’ll be great for you, It will last three months.”

Ri Kon-Yung looked at him as he ate.

”This…mmmf….good….” He said

”Easy there…” In-hwan said

At night, Ji-Min had finished showering and changing, she had saw Kon-Yung tucked into the double bed

He was resting comfortably on the bed, he looked at her, it was a silent plea to be cuddled and held, basically.

”Okay…you win.” Ji-Min said, she slowly laid down next to Kon-Yung and gently pulled him into her arms, Kon-Yung gave a yawn and dozed off, She slowly fell asleep herself, feeling safe for the first time in months, hell, even years.