Riha Kim joined Freedom Speakers International as a public speaker in 2024.
She was born in Hyesan, Yanggang Province, graduated from medical school, and worked in the healthcare authorities focusing on AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Confronted with the realities of healthcare in North Korea, she became disillusioned with the regime and defected in 2015.

With World AIDS Day approaching, She can no longer passively observe the human rights violations in North Korea and the government’s complacent response to the high tuberculosis infection rates, AIDS, and the rapid spread of viral infections, including COVID-19.

She wants to inform the world about the realities in North Korea and the viral infectious diseases. The North Korean government has stated that there are no cases of HIV infection in the country, declaring itself an ‘AIDS-free nation.’ However, the first infection case was reported in January 1999, and the number of infections is rapidly increasing.
She would like to dedicate all her efforts to inform the world about the suffering and pain endured by North Korean citizens who are afflicted by illness and to raise awareness of North Korean human rights and the healthcare system.