A North Korean defector who endured starvation, torture, and a double amputation before escaping — on crutches — to freedom was honored Tuesday by President Donald Trump, who called him a "witness to the ominous nature of this regime."
After the president's praise during his first State of the Union speech, Ji Seong-ho stood up and pumped his crutches over his head to the applause and cheers of the congressional audience.
"Today he lives in Seoul, where he rescues other defectors and broadcasts into North Korea what the regime fears most: the truth," Trump said. "Today, he has a new leg, but Seong-ho, I understand, you still keep those old crutches as a reminder of how far you've come."
At that point, the former defector — whom Trump said "traveled thousands of miles on crutches, all across China and Southeast Asia to freedom" — stood up and hoisted his crutches high, smiling broadly.
"Your great sacrifice is an inspiration to us all," the president said.
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