songmi was left with her grandparents, but shortly after, they died, leaving songmi to fend for herself foraging for herbs - in the mountains and selling them. i was just trying to survive for the day without starving to death. it would take years before songmi's mother was able to arrange her daughter's own treacherous escape across the river to china. translation: before you cross the river, you're supposed to be scared. the river is deep and the current is strong. i could have died. but the thought of getting to my mother felt like i was throwing away a heavy burden and flying away. after 1a years apart, the pair have reunited in south korea. but songmi has never asked her mother why she left, until now. translation: l was nine - when you came back from prison. why did you escape then? translation: i wanted to bring you with me at first, _ but the broker said, no children. if we got caught, both of us would have suffered again. so i asked your grandparents to watch you for a year. but much more time has passed. i see. i knew the morning she left, i rememberjust lying in bed, crying.

songmi was left with her grandparents.ying to survive for - the day without starving to death. it would take years before songmi's mother was able to arrange her daughter's own treacherous escape across the river to china. translation: before you cross the river, i you are supposed to be scared. the river is deep and| the current is strong. i could have died. but, the thought of getting to my . mother felt like i was throwing away a heavy burden and flying away. after 1a years apart, the pair have reunited in south korea. but songmi has never asked her mother why she left. until now. translation: l was nine - when you came back from prison. why did you escape then? translation: i wanted to bring you with me at first. but the broker said no children. if we got caught, both of us would have suffered again, so i asked your grandparents to watch you for a year, but much more time has passed. translation: i see. i knew the morning she walked. - irememberjust lying in bed crying. what would you like to say to your daughter, what

our seoul correspondent, jean mackenzie, has spoken to a woman called songmi — one of the few who've still doesn't believe she's living with her mother. what she has endured to be here made it seem like this day would never come. song—mi was four years old when her mother tried to escape north korea, with her strapped to her chest. her mother was caught, and sent to prison. when she was released, she decided to escape again. she decided to escape again — this time, alone. song—mi was left with her grandparents, but shortly after, they died, leaving song—mi to fend for herself. translation: i made a living by foraging for herbs - in the mountains and selling them. i was just trying to survive for the day without starving to death. it would take years before song—mi's mother was able to arrange her daughter's own treacherous escape, across the river to china. translation: before you cross the river, i you're supposed to be scared. the river is deep and the current is strong. we could have died. but the thought of getting to my mother felt like i was throwing away a heavy burden and fly