Guardian Live: Hyeonseo Lee on escaping North Korea

Plus, the BBC's John Sweeney on reporting undercover from inside 'the hermit kingdom'.

In 1997 Hyeonseo Lee had just turned 17 when, after witnessing the devastating effects of a country-wide famine, she decided to risk everything by escaping across the border to China.

Her mother’s first words over the telephone to her lost daughter were, ‘don’t come back’. Twelve years later, she returned to the country of her birth in a daring mission to smuggle her family to South Korea.

Hear Hyeonseo Lee's incredible story as she publishes her memoir, The Girl With Seven Names, and find out more about a country that's shrouded in mystery, much misunderstood and mocked by the West. Lee will be joined by academic and editor of SinoNK.com, Adam Cathcart and the BBC's John Sweeney, who in 2013 went undercover for Panorama, gaining unprecedented access to the world’s most secret state. Chaired by The Guardian's Emma Graham-Harrison.

Running time: 90 minute discussion, no interval.

Wheelchair users and visitors who require a carer may bring a companion free of charge. To book a free carer ticket please email guardianlive.events@theguardian.com