The Current

A North Korean fighter pilot's flight to freedom

No Kum Sok was a North Korean military pilot who defected in spectacular fashion. His story, and the story of Kim Il-sung—the man who created a dictatorial dynasty in that country—are woven together in Blaine Harden's new book, The Great Leader and the Fighter Pilot.
After his defection, the young North Korean fighter pilot became an American citizen, and changed his name to Kenneth Rowe. (Kenneth Rowe)

No Kum Sok was a North Korean military pilot who defected in spectacular fashion. His story, and the story of Kim Il-sung—the man who created a dictatorial dynasty in that country—are woven together in Blaine Harden's new book.

Blaine Harden is the author of The Great Leader and the Fighter Pilot: The True Story of the Tyrant Who Created North Korea and The Young Lieutenant Who Stole His Way to Freedom.

Ken Rowe is the fighter pilot.

This segment was produced by The Current's Kathleen Goldhar.