BOISE, Idaho (CBS 2) - Sitting in the conference room of his hotel, Kang MyungDo is a long way from home - thousands of miles from Pyongyang, North Korea, where he lived until the mid-90's.
Speaking through his interpreter, Okhee Chang, he is in Boise this week visiting friends and family.
He currently lives overseas in South Korea.
Before he left his homeland, he had been educated at the North Korean National University, was a top researcher, and employed as a political scientist.
But says - he needed to leave - because he feared for his life.
Kang MyungDo thinks the North Korean's current regime, operating under Kim Jong Un, is evil.
His feelings may be extra strong because Kang MyungDo's family lineage traces back to Kim Il-sung, North Korea's first dictator, which makes him a distant uncle of the current leader.
Kang MyungDo says images from North Korea's state-run television are staged and untrue.
And he says what Americans see, versus what we don't - is a start reminder of how North Koreans are forced to live their lives.
And a scenario that will continue to play out, he fears, as long as Kim Jong Un remains in power.
If you'd like to meet Kang MyungDo, and hear more about his life in North Korea, he has as presentation.
He's speaking at the Comfort Suites Airport on Vista Avenue in Boise on Wednesday, May 1st and Thursday, May 2nd at 7 pm.
His visit is sponsored by the Comfort Suites Airport and the Living Word Church in Meridian.
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