About Monica Macias

Monica Macías, along with two of her siblings, was sent to North Korea at the age of seven to study and reside under the care of the then-leader of the country, Kim Il Sung. However, their lives took a dramatic turn when her father, the then-president of Equatorial Guinea, Francisco Macías Nguema, was ousted in a bloody coup d'état just months after their arrival. Following her father's trial and execution by firing squad, Monica, her mother, and her siblings found themselves stranded in North Korea. Soon afterwards, her mother left North Korea, leaving Monica and her siblings behind. Despite the upheaval, Kim Il Sung honored his promise to care for Monica, sending her to the Mangyondae Revolutionary Military Boarding School in Pyongyang and overseeing her university education at Pyongyang University of Light Industry. 

In 1994, Monica travelled to Spain, her maternal grandfather's birthplace, to explore her identity and investigate her father's death. She has since lived in various countries including South Korea, the USA, China, Equatorial Guinea, and is now based in the UK. Monica pursued a master's degree in international relations and diplomacy at SOAS, London.

Monica has emerged as a prominent voice on North Korean issues, sharing her personal experiences and insights at conferences and events around the world, including at institutions such as LSE, SOAS, Seoul University, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Czech Republic, and Yale University. She believes in the power of sharing experiences and knowledge to foster mutual respect and understanding, ultimately contributing to the resolution of social and interstate conflicts.

In 2013, Monica gained media attention with the publication of her memoir, "I'm Monique from Pyongyang" written in Korean. The book provided a glimpse into her life in both North and South Korea, shaping her unique perspectives on the two countries' issues. 

In March 2023, Monica released her second memoir, Black Girl from Pyongyang published by Duckworth Publishers, which garnered even greater recognition. In this book, Monica shared the results of her interviews with more than 3000 people who knew her father directly and indirectly challenging the official narrative surrounding his legacy. She also revealed her exceptional relationship with Kim Il Sung, whom she considers her second father, and the challenges of reconciling her upbringing with the realities of Western perceptions of dictatorship.

Through Black Girl from Pyongyang, Monica articulates a nuanced perspective on controversial figures like her dads, Francisco Macías Nguema and Kim Il Sung, questioning the morality of nations and advocating for a deeper understanding of historical complexities. She challenges the notion of inherent "good" or "evil" in countries and questions whether any nation has the moral authority to scold others. She emphasizes the importance of dialogue and empathy in addressing global conflicts.