but here they are today, appearing healthy, relaxed, wearing uniforms won by every north korea student. three government officials also in the room, they didn't step in and didn't need to. the students said all the right things. >> translator: we're studying at the best schools and universities. we're living happy lives. >> each student left north korea separately, ending up together living with a missionary in china. that missionary told cnn in 2013 the students fled north korea, desperately searching for food, badly in need of health care. >> translator: they looked for fish bones and rice to mix together to make porridge. then they eat toothpaste to help them digest it. >> reporter: at first, they're reluctant to even being a little hungry. the country has suffered famine. it's widely believed many north koreans today don't have enough to eat. >> so four of you were hungry. the students say they were poor, not starving, curious about life