Jang Jung-hyuk

Jang Jung-hyuk (Korean: 장정혁; born 1997) is a North Korea defector and professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter based in South Korea, where he is now a citizen.^[1][2] Known by the nickname "North Korean Defector Fighter," he competes in the lightweight and welterweight divisions and has become a prominent public figure through his advocacy for North Korean human rights.^[1][3]

Jang was born in a remote mountain village in North Hamgyeong Province during the height of the "Arduous March" famine.^[1] His early childhood was marked by severe hunger and the absence of his father, who his mother left shortly after Jang's birth due to domestic abuse.^[1][4]

At a young age, Jang and his mother fled to China to escape starvation.^[1] For several years, they lived as undocumented migrants, during which time Jang was subjected to forced labor at construction sites and chicken farms.^[1] He frequently worked without pay and lived in constant fear of repatriation before eventually reaching South Korea as a teenager.^[1]

Jang began training in martial arts at age 18 in Seoul, initially as a way to cope with psychological trauma. He made his professional debut in March 2018.^[1] Jang made his professional debut in March 2018 at TFC Dream 5, where he secured a technical knockout (TKO) victory against Japanese fighter Yamato Nishikawa.^[5][1]

In July 2024, Jang reached a career peak by capturing the welterweight title in the Japanese organization A-Toys Challenge Fight (ACF).^[1] He also holds a South Korean kickboxing title.^[1] His professional MMA record stands at 6 wins, 5 losses, and 3 draws.^[1] His most recent recorded about was a decision loss against Hyun Bin-park at Fighter100 - Club 002 on November 29, 2024.^[1]

In late 2025, Jang announced the opening of his own MMA gym in Seoul, aiming to provide a training space for aspiring athletes and fellow defectors.^[1] He often speaks about the "freedom with responsibility" he found in South Korea, contrasting it with the "dictatorship and pain" of his early life.^[1][6]

Jang has leveraged his unique background to become a public figure in South Korea, frequently appearing in combat sports media and reality television.^[1][7] He gained significant fame through his participation in the popular YouTube-based promotion Black Combat, where he served as a central figure in multiple "RISE" events through 2024.^[1][8][9]

Beyond the ring, Jang is an active YouTuber and has expressed deep commitment to North Korean human rights activism.^[1] He has stated that his goal is to prove that defectors can not only survive but excel in South Korean society.^[1]