I typically love reading nonfiction, and this book sounded absolutely fascinating to me when I read the synopsis. It's also such an important story and message, especially in today's political climate. However, it was just very dense and I did not finish. I'm sure for people with more than a casual interest in the topic, it would be fascinating. For me, however, I couldn't make myself slog through the level of detail necessary for complete historical context. An excellent book for serious study into the topic of DPRK inner workings, but perhaps not for more casual readers.

Fun Fact About Me: I represented North Korea in multiple years of high school Model United Nations and probably have a bit more background knowledge about the DPRK than many people choosing this book off the shelf. That being said, all the academic research in the world can't compare to the story being told directly by a former North Korean diplomat himself. This is an important book for anyone who has ever read a news report about a missile test on the Korean peninsula, wondered if the rumors of fake cities were true (they are), or even watched The Interview. It is a serious, page-turning book about one of the world's most reclusive nations, and informed citizens will be better for reading it.

Because it doesn't spend mich time providing background info. I could 100% see it being somewhat challenging for people who have never spent any time learning about the DPRK to dive right in and understand this story. Still, it would certainly be doable and worthwhile!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me this book in exchange for my honest review!

This is a brilliant book and it is so interesting.

It was incredibly powerful to read about his life as a diplomat, all the relevant events, the struggles they faced and what was going on behind the scenes in North Korean politics. It reads very much like a report and this was very important to me because it kept it objective.

When it comes to books of North Korean defectors, their books all read like novels or personal stories and although that is also important, I feel that his voice has a very unique importance status and his books are of immense significance.

His perspective on how a Korean unification should happen is so valuable.

This is a serious book, yet it is engaging. Thae Yong-ho, a North Korean diplomat who eventually defected to South Korea, is frank and honest on a high political level, yet he manages to be down-to-earth in his account as well.

Readers are treated to such personal accounts, and one cannot help but to sympathize with this author for all he went through. The discussions about family and children are touching. The look into what civilians experienced is interesting, and it is good to know that the international community helped when needed.

Thae Yong-ho offers us insights at the top most of the time, and this offers a wider context in which to put the more personal and human aspects of the account.

For those who like politics and diplomacy on a more day-to-day level, this book is sure to please.

I was sent a copy of passcode to the third floor by NetGalley for a honest review.

I first went to start off by saying that I believe books like this are incredibly important as they give the world A chance to see inside other peoples cultures, realities, etc. both good and bad.

I am mostly a non-fiction reader and have Read a lot of memoir’s biographies, etc. I usually don’t like to read books that have been translated not because I don’t find them interesting but because in the past I have found that things usually gets lost in translation. I did not find that to be the case with this book! I think this book was very well written. There were a lot of names that I at some points I had a hard time keeping straight, but the information in this book was really solid and I thought it flowed well. Thae Yung-ho did an excellent job of bringing the readers into what the leadership in North Korea really looks like and how it affects everyday Koreans. I would definitely recommend this book to other readers as I think it’s important to learn about what is happening around the world!

Thae Yong-ho, a former North Korean diplomat who defected to South Korea in 2016, offers readers a gripping firsthand account of life within the secretive regime in "Passport to the Third Floor." Revealing the inner workings of the North Korean government, Yong-ho takes us into the heart of power, where the highest leaders operate and dictate policy directives.

Through this memoir, readers gain valuable insights into the political, social, and to some extent, economic mechanisms of the totalitarian regime. The narrative delves into crucial negotiations surrounding the nuclear issue, sheds light on the prominence and attitudes of the ruling family and exposes the systemic dysfunctions inherent in North Korean governance.

Yong-ho's narrative paints a vivid picture of the controlled existence and enduring suffering of the North Korean populace. It also offers a glimpse into the precarious position of diplomats, who navigate a treacherous international landscape while having to provide for themselves.

The pervasive sense of fear and insecurity among every member of society permeates Yong-ho's writing, emphasizing how individual fates hinge upon the whims of the Great Leader. Readers are offered glimpses into the idiosyncrasies and the surreal parallel universe that characterizes life in North Korea.

However, amidst the wealth of information provided, there are occasional drawbacks. The narrative occasionally bounces between events without sufficient context, and the proliferation of Korean names can prove challenging for readers to keep track of.

Overall, "Passport to the Third Floor" offers a compelling and illuminating account of life within one of the world's most secretive and oppressive regimes, providing readers with invaluable insights into the inner workings of North Korea's power structures and the harrowing realities faced by its citizens and diplomats alike.

I’m sorry, but I just could not finish this book. The subject matter was very interesting, it was the delivery that I had trouble with. Too many names to keep track of, too many irrelevant (at least to my mind) details. Perhaps it was a problem with the translation? I don’t know, but it was too difficult to follow. I wish the best to the author, what a life he has lived. And to all the people of North Korea, god willing they will see a change of regime.

Passcode to the Third Floor: An Insider’s Account of Life Among North Korea’s Political Elite is the gripping memoir of politician Thae Yong-ho. A former North Korean diplomat, Thae’s 2016 defection alongside his wife and two sons marked a significant event, as he held the distinguished position of deputy ambassador at the North Korean embassy in London, making him one of the highest-ranking officials to seek asylum.

The memoir, skilfully translated by Robert Lauler, an editor at Daily NK with a scholarly background in Korean language and literature, delivers a compelling narrative that transcends the boundaries of a conventional North Korean defector’s tale. Thae’s journey unfolds against the backdrop of a repressive regime, shedding light on the profound suffering endured by its people. However, what distinguishes this work is Thae’s intimate understanding of the inner workings of high-ranking departments and the capricious nature of powerful individuals.

Since resettling in South Korea, Thae has emerged as a prominent figure in think tanks and politics, offering readers a unique perspective on the geopolitical landscape. His insights extend beyond the conventional narrative, delving into the complexities of party committees and their pivotal role in shaping North Korean society. As Thae aptly notes, “Not understanding the role of party committees makes it almost impossible to understand North Korean society.” In this nuanced exploration, Passcode to the Third Floor transcends the boundaries of a traditional memoir, serving as an invaluable key to unlocking the enigma that is North Korea.

In a departure from conventional memoirs, the author of this compelling narrative intriguingly sidesteps a meticulous exploration of his early life in North Korea. Infused with a sense of urgency, Thae dives headfirst into a critical examination of the perpetual failure in negotiations between North Korea and the United States over decades, despite intermittent moments of progress. The opening chapters grapple with the question, “Why do North Korea and the United States consistently fall short of reaching an agreement during nuclear talks?” He meticulously dissects the negotiating tactics employed by North Korean officials, revealing their adeptness at stalling, deflecting, and manipulating. These sections serve as a backdrop to a comprehensive exploration of why North Korea remains steadfast in its refusal to relinquish its nuclear weapons. He concludes that, “As long as the Kim Jong-un regime exists, I am confident that North Korea will never denuclearize. The total collapse of the Kim regime is the only way to achieve denuclearization in the DPRK.”

Echoing the narrative arc of many books within this genre, the work celebrates the resilience of the North Korean people under the oppressive yoke of totalitarian rule. The author pays homage to those who, despite the threat of severe punishment, seek outside information, the market owners – often women – who sustain supplies, and those who pursue education against all odds. A poignant exploration of some high-ranking officials’ dignified humility and incredible work ethic, juxtaposed against the decadence of others, further intensifies the narrative’s impact.

From a policy perspective, the book emerges as essential reading for those seeking a nuanced understanding of the intricate power structures within North Korea. Thae provides invaluable insights into how various government departments operate and interact in response to their perceived gaps in knowledge. For instance, the revelation that ““North Korean diplomats could not make heads or tails of the series of crises they faced, from the fall of the Eastern Bloc and disintegration of the Soviet Union to the simultaneous entry of the two Koreas into the UN, the establishment of relations between China and South Korea, and the first North Korea nuclear crisis. The diplomatic establishment’s expertise was so concentrated on China, the USSR, and the Eastern Bloc countries that it had few people who could negotiate with Western countries,” underscores the diplomatic establishment’s expertise limitations and concentration on certain geopolitical regions. In a surprising twist, the narrative also offers humorous anecdotes of interactions with powerful government departments that, amusingly, intentionally don’t do any actual work. Although the writing is often distant and policy-oriented, there are many amusing moments such as when he describes how he would run into South Korean officials. “We did meet him, purely by accident, in the sauna one time. The reader may have a hard time imagining diplomats from the two Koreas sitting in a sauna together in bathing suits, staring blankly at each other. I wanted to ask the South Korean diplomat a lot about his country, but I never had the courage to do so.”

When explaining the North Korean embassy staff’s disturbing experiences living in far wealthier nations, the author lays bare the poverty endured by these individuals, eliciting a deep sense of empathy, particularly for their partners and children. The narrative meticulously details the relentless struggles faced by embassy staff in meeting their basic needs, a stark reality compounded by the author’s poignant acknowledgment that these challenges paled in comparison to the hardships endured by their compatriots back home. Within the confines of the embassy, the insidious sexism ingrained in the system unfolds, with examples illustrating the plight of women married to diplomats. Hindered by restrictive rules, these women often find themselves unable to work, further impeded from gaining the requisite experience to apply for party membership. This create awkward scenarios, where the wives of higher-ranking officials, lacking party membership, are excluded from events, while those of lower-ranking officials, possessing such membership by other means, attend. The burden extends to unpaid labour, with instances where “even the wives of the embassy staff helped repaint the place.”

Amidst their overseas postings, the author reveals the deeply personal toll of these circumstances, narrating how his wife, against regulations, became pregnant without access to any prenatal services. Her only visit to a hospital was to give birth. The disparity between the staff’s relatively comfortable living conditions and the Arduous March experienced by others is underscored, drawing sympathy for embassy personnel forced into illicit activities to send money back to North Korea. The chilling horror of leaving some of their own children behind in the country, effectively held as hostages, is palpable, even when faced with the agonizing choice of separating twins.

Thae makes a conscientious focus on individuals with disabilities and their situation within society. These sections highlight his commitment to shedding light on overlooked aspects of the North Korean experience. In capturing the human dimensions of these struggles, he skilfully intertwines personal anecdotes with broader societal issues, creating a compelling narrative that resonates with readers. It also shows how there are many voices from North Korea which still need to be heard.

In a darkly comedic portrayal that could rival a BBC office sitcom, the author describes regular interactions with British communists during his tenure as deputy ambassador at the North Korean embassy in the UK. Amidst the cultural clash, the author finds wry amusement in the frustrations of British communists, particularly their bewilderment at the abundance of North Korean holidays and the incongruity between their worldview and the North Korean hereditary system. The section humorously titled “THE DRUDGERY OF GETTING CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES FROM EUROPEAN LEFT-WING PARTIES” paints a vivid picture of the author’s diplomatic responsibilities. Notable among these is the misadventure where three million dollars is naively thought to secure an official and residential building in central London. The desire to learn golf without the means to pay for lessons or equipment adds a touch of absurdity to the diplomatic narrative. Redolent of “The Death of Stalin” (2017), the author recounts the amusing struggle to display portraits of the Kims at events attended by British communists, leading to the ingenious solution of a portable hanging board. The farcical tales continue with fabricated reports to North Korea, where grand celebrations were spun from the reality of “seven or ten old British communists gathered in a tiny basement in London.”

The narrative takes an anxious turn as the author navigates the extreme stress of managing the visit of Kim Jong-Un’s older brother, Kim Jong-chul. With a tone reminiscent of “The Devil Wears Prada” (2003), the reader is drawn into a high-stakes scenario where concert attendance and visits to music stores in London become diplomatic endeavours with potential life-or-death consequences. I was praying that he would find that 24-hour dry cleaner so his entire family wouldn’t be exiled or murdered.
Thae’s scathing critique surfaces in the recounting of difficult negotiations to send aid back to malnourished North Korean children, only to discover the repurposing of the assistance by the Kim family. The unravelling sense of shame toward the North Korean regime becomes obvious, as the author exposes the disheartening reality where diplomatic efforts to alleviate suffering are overshadowed by the self-serving interests of the ruling family. He describes how a “sense of shame toward the North Korean regime was already building in my heart. While North Korean diplomats sought every opportunity to send even limited amounts of food back home, “purchasing teams” sent out from Pyongyang showed interest in only the items they needed to buy for the Kim family.”

There were times I wished he would explain how he and his family felt being overseas, or how his children felt attending local schools or interacting with their British classmates. He has decided to write about his personal history toward the end of the book, which ties into his reasons for defecting. So, some questions I had toward the middle of the book were unexpectedly addressed in the final chapters. Thae, wrestling with the decision to delve into his own life, candidly confesses his reservations, saying “I’m not too thrilled talking about my birth, family, childhood, and marriage. I’m still only fifty-six years old, and my life has been very ordinary. I doubt there will be many people who will be interested in my life. But I’ve tried seeing it another way. I realized I could describe changes in North Korean society and life over the years, and how they all inevitably permeate my own life, so that South Koreans can better understand the DPRK and even their own country better.” He takes this opportunity to illuminate changes in North Korean society and life over the years. Through this lens, South Koreans gain a nuanced understanding of both the DPRK and their own country. The author traces North Korea’s trajectory from relative prosperity during his youth to the stark regression into a society of oppression and a total prison state. This includes a litany of purges and incidents, including Frunze Military Academy Incident, the Kazan Overseas Student Incident, the Germany Overseas Student Incident and the Simhwajo Incident, the execution of Jang Song-thaek, the bizarre shooting of members of the Unhasu Orchestra, and the petty demolition of Pyongyang Folklore Park. This serves as a haunting backdrop to the erosion of horizontal power structures, culminating in a society solely serving the Kim family’s interests. The struggle of the “true communists” was erased and the North Korean economy was repurposed “solely for the Kim family’s pleasure.”

As previously mentioned, toward the end of the book the author recounts his formative years studying in China, providing a riveting glimpse into his interactions with the children of cadres and the delicate art of manipulating Chinese officials. As a keen observer of China, the author sheds light on North Korean officials’ adeptness at swindling and manipulating their neighbours, using Marxist-Leninist logic as a shield against criticism. The reader is afforded a sympathetic understanding of the Chinese dilemma, hampered by historical constraints and ideological entanglements. The dynamic interplay between nations, particularly in the context of curbing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, paints a vivid portrait of diplomatic intricacies, underscored by the retort that China should not pressure North Korea, as “we are not in the era of the Qing Dynasty.”

For those new to North Korean studies, be warned that this book does not provide many background explanations. The narrative, for instance, alludes to the North Korean abduction of Japanese citizens with minimal contextual foundation, and leaves terms like “suryong,” “juche,” and “banmal” undefined. This might not be the best inaugural foray into North Korea’s complex history, yet it might be the best book in this space. For those interested in international relations, diplomacy, and the clandestine realm of spy craft, this book proves a compelling choice. Throughout its pages, a spotlight is cast on media studies and the establishment of journalism services in the region. For example, it shows the struggles officials faced when grappling with the Internet after relying on antiquated shortwave wireless communications, funnelled through Moscow.

This book extends beyond the anticipated tales of incarceration and executions, unfolding moving stories of individuals risking all for the simple pleasures of downloading music or indulging in South Korean dramas. Thae artfully encapsulates the North Korean paradox: “a society where nothing works, yet nothing was impossible. Everything depended on how Kim Jong-il felt.” Despite thematic gaps that occasionally punctuate the storytelling, the narrative deftly weaves together personal and political strands, providing readers with a profound comprehension of the intricate threads that shape life within the isolated nation and the weight borne by its officials abroad. Undoubtedly, Passcode to the Third Floor stands as a powerful narrative, seamlessly blending personal and political dimensions to offer an unparalleled and gripping exploration of a life in service of North Korea.

This book was provided by Columbia University Press for review.

I have received a copy via NetGalley. This is my voluntary, honest review.

This was a phenomenal read. It was not difficult, but it took me a while just because I wanted to process what I was hearing. While I have read about North Korea from perspectives of the common people, this is my first time reading in the voice of a former cadre-a diplomat. (The "Third Floor" in the title refers to the offices of the Kim leaders.)

The lives the DPRK elite lead are truly bizarre--it is a world where you can be shot on a moment's notice, or your family exiled to the provinces (or just you, and your wife will divorce you to stay in Pyongyang because conditions are that much worse anywhere outside the capital city). Any error, even the smallest, committed how long ago, by a child perhaps, could end up in family disgrace for literally generations. The cultural aesthetic is a whole new level of strange, beyond the usual East/West divide we Americans experience when viewing South Korean, Japanese or even Chinese culture. It was also really interesting to read his family history through the three generations of Kim power, and to see how the DPRK has degraded from the optimistic "socialist paradise" of its early years to the pervasive fear that has permeated all echelons of living today.

In a European Indie comic film called "Iron Sky" (Nazis invade from a secret base on the dark side of the moon, give it a chance) there is a question broached during a world leadership meeting of "where did these ships come from?". Upon a hasty confab, the North Korean delegates take responsibility, claiming their "beloved leader" made them with his own hands. The rest of the room dissolved into laughter, of course. After reading this book, I can kinda see how that might be plausible though--how some diplomats (responsible for the upkeep of their own embassy building, encouraged to donate their salaries), certain that whatever awaits them out here in the world, or in space, cannot possibly be more deadly than what awaits them and their families at home, came up with the answer that would hopefully please their Beloved Leader the most.

I definitely would recommend this book. Although the chapters might be long, they are subdivided into headings that allow you to pick up and set down this book whenever needed. A great way for me to start my year!

What an incredible read
This book can be summarized as "shocked, but not surprised"


Thae Yong-ho's story offers a perspective most people will never be able to relate to and wouldn't have access to without his detailed and unique biography

We all know of North Korea as this totalitarian regime, but it's still shocking to read about specific examples and situations that detail the extent of the Kim family's influence, as well as the organization of the government and the ways in which it spies on and controls its population.

Many parts of this book were hard to read, especially when it concerned children being mistreated or living in awful conditions.


Thank you NetGalley and Columbia University Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A really excellent read. A fascinating subject set out clearly and cleanly.

I'm generally not a fan of translations. They often seem to be clunky to read, and you never know if it was the original that was clunky or if the translator is responsible for messing it up. That wasn't an issue here, however. The prose flowed like warm butter and the narrator's voice felt both real and immediate. On the whole — except for the intrusion of the occasional illiteracy like using the non-word 'alright' — it was a fine translation job.

My one complaint is that Korean names are difficult for Westerners to keep track of, and that was particularly true here because of the maze of important social tentacles connecting so many of the people who were major players in the narrative. I think a cast-of-characters should have been included at the beginning which set out each of the major players, his professionals associations, and the family connections that were elements in the narrative so that one can flip back and pick up the information quickly when you come to one of the now-who-the-hell-is-that moments you encounter. And there are a lot of them.

Not gonna lie I don’t read many political books and I really don’t read many memoirs but the premise of this book highly intrigued me when I saw it. North Korea is a very secretive society and the idea of hearing from someone who worked deep in the government fascinated me, which is why I asked for an advanced readers copy of this. The author was working as an ambassador for North Korea when he (plus his wife and two children defected to South Korea).

I greatly enjoyed reading this book. The author delved deeply into the political/social structures of North Korea and its decision making process when it comes to politics and diplomacy. Things that you would have no way of knowing about become clear with the authors explanation. This is extremely well written and put together. My only complaints are the facts that the author bounces around a lot in the timeline of events that happened in the course of the book so I had a hard time keeping said timeline straight at points and I personally had a very difficult time keeping track of the names/people that were talked about over the course of the book (which I 100% acknowledge is a me thing).


The author is currently working in South Korea toward unification of North/South Korea and toward the end of the book he puts forward the case as to how/why this should happen. I don’t see how this is realistic any times soon under current leadership but I’m also not well versed in the politics of the area so I may very well be wrong.

Overall I thought this book was amazing. Highly recommend for all history/memoir fans.