Who Is Lee Hyeon-seo? Age, Biography and Wiki
Lee Hyeon-seo was born on January 1, 1980, in North Korea. Gaining international attention for her escape from the oppressive regime, she has become a prominent human rights activist. After successfully fleeing to South Korea in 1997, she has dedicated her life to raising awareness about the plight of North Korean defectors and advocating for their rights. Lee's story has resonated globally, making her a symbol of resilience and courage.
As of 2025, Lee is 45 years old and continues to be an influential figure in discussions surrounding North Korea and human rights.
| Occupation | Human Rights Activists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 1, 1980 |
| Age | 45 Years |
| Birth Place | Hyesan, Ryanggang Province, North Korea |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | North Korea |
Popularity
Lee Hyeon-seo's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Lee Hyeon-seo stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall and weighs around 130 pounds (59 kg). While exact measurements are not publicly disclosed, her compelling presence and captivating persona remain notable characteristics of her public appearances.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, not much is publicly known about Lee Hyeon-seo's personal relationships. She has largely kept her romantic life private. Speculations about her dating status have arisen, but there have been no confirmed reports regarding a boyfriend or girlfriend. Lee focuses on her activism and career, ensuring her personal life remains mostly out of the public eye.
In 1997, Lee crossed the frozen Yalu River alone in collusion with a friendly border guard to fulfill a dream she had, only planning to stay a short while before returning. However, due to complications with the North Korean security police, she had to live with relatives in China as an illegal immigrant.
She managed to buy the identity of a mentally challenged girl from Heilongjiang, and with it, obtained a passport and driver's license. At one point, after being accused of being North Korean, she was interrogated by police and tested on her Chinese and her knowledge of China.
Because of her father's insistence she learn Chinese from her childhood days, she passed the test.
Net Worth and Salary
With a successful career as a speaker, author, and activist, Lee Hyeon-seo's estimated net worth in 2025 is around $1 million. Her earnings primarily stem from public speaking engagements, book royalties, and various media appearances. Lee has utilized her platform to highlight the struggles of North Korean defectors and raise funds for related charities.
She then traveled to Luang Namtha, Laos, where she paid a bribe and fine. After a month of ordeals, her family members were released.
She traveled with them to Vientiane, where her family members were arrested and jailed again, "just a short distance from the South Korean embassy." Lee went back and forth between the immigration office and the National Police Agency for almost 50 days, "desperately trying to get my family out … but I didn't have enough money to pay the bribes.
I lost all hope."
Career, Business and Investments
Lee Hyeon-seo's career trajectory has been remarkable. After her defection, she wrote a memoir titled The Girl with Seven Names, detailing her harrowing escape and life in North Korea. Since then, she has become a sought-after speaker, often addressing international audiences on the humanitarian issues facing North Korean citizens.
In addition to her activism, Lee has ventured into business by collaborating with various NGOs and authors for projects aimed at educating the public about human rights in North Korea. Her investments are primarily focused on initiatives that support defectors and promote awareness.
In 2011, Lee wrote that she was learning English "to boost [her] prospects," noting that North Koreans' "lack of English is a handicap" on the job market.
In China, she had devoted a great deal of time to learn Chinese, but "never thought I would be under this much stress about language in South Korea." She worked part-time and "took accounting classes at different institutes and obtained the certifications needed for work." In 2011, she was "admitted to the Chinese language department of the Hankuk
University of Foreign Studies (by special admission).
[She] chose the language as [her] major hoping that [she] would be able to take part in ever increasing trade with China."
Social Network
Lee Hyeon-seo is active on several social media platforms, utilizing them to spread awareness about North Korean issues and her personal journey. As of 2025, she has a substantial following on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, where she shares insights, updates on her advocacy work, and engages with her audience.
- Twitter: @LeeHyeonSeo
- Instagram: @leehyeonseok
Lee spoke about her experiences at a TED conference in Long Beach, California, in February 2013. The YouTube video of her talk has received over 21 million views.
Education
Lee Hyeon-seo pursued her education after settling in South Korea. She attended the Seoul Women's University and holds a degree in North Korean Studies. Her education has reinforced her commitment to advocating for human rights issues and has provided her with the tools necessary to engage in thoughtful discussions regarding North Korea.
She was put through an orientation course for life in South Korea, and then given a house to live in. She "started out with mixed feelings of fear and excitement, but settling down turned out to be far more challenging than I had expected.
I realized there was a wide gap between North and South, ranging from educational background to cultural and linguistic differences. We are a racially homogeneous people on the outside, but inside we have become very different as a result of the 67 years of division."
