Held in the afternoon of July 11th at the multipurpose hall of Seoul City Hall, the 2024 Seoul Forum on North Korean Human Rights had the theme "The Reality of North Korean Human Rights and International Cooperation Measures, Journey to Freedom, Accompanying North Korean Defectors."
In anticipation of "North Korean Defectors Day" on the 14th, Seoul hosted this North Korean Human Rights Forum, which was a first among local governments. Seoul has also organized a range of other events related to North Korean human rights at Seoul City Hall and Seoul Plaza from July 8 to 14.
The opening ceremony of the forum began with a welcoming speech by Seoul Mayor Se-hoon Oh followed by remarks from former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Minister of Unification Young-ho Kim.
“This year marks the 10th anniversary of the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and domestically, it’s significant as we have designated July 14 as ‘North Korean Defectors Day’ to embrace North Korean defectors. To inform citizens about the reality of life and human rights in North Korea and to explore ways to cooperate with the international community to improve North Korean human rights, Seoul is hosting the first-ever local government forum on this topic,” Mayor Oh remarked.
“Human rights are a universal value that should be guaranteed and protected for everyone, transcending nation, ideology, wealth, status, time, and space. However, our compatriots in North Korea have been deprived of basic freedoms and human rights since the division of the peninsula.
“What we must do now is to thoroughly understand the reality of North Korean human rights, systematically implement follow-up measures to the North Korean Human Rights Act enacted in 2016, and actively cooperate with the international community, including the U.N. and allied countries, to improve human rights in North Korea. We must also create an environment where North Korean defectors, who are the direct victims, can enjoy genuine human rights and dream of a happy future in Seoul, South Korea,” Oh said.
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commented, “It is significant that Seoul is holding the first forum focused on ‘North Korean Human Rights,’ a topic that has rarely been addressed, to explore international cooperation measures and discuss policies for North Korean defectors.”
“If the international community, the South Korean government, local governments, and civil society closely review this matter, it will greatly contribute to raising awareness of North Korean human rights in our society.
Ban noted that “North Korea’s recent reckless actions threatening world peace and security are serious challenges. Despite the international community’s consistent demands for North Korean denuclearization and human rights improvement, North Korea is maintaining its international isolation, deliberate communication cut-off, and military provocations. Additionally, the North Korean regime is blocking its citizens’ eyes and ears, enacting policies to strengthen dictatorship and totalitarianism, and massively conducting activities to control and block external information.”
“Enacting laws to suppress people’s speech and actions and control culture and thought cannot be sustained. This indicates the failure of the North Korean regime’s governance. Against such a regime, we must spread the will for unification based on liberal democracy and strongly respond through the South Korea-US alliance and international cooperation.
“We must prioritize issues like the North Korean nuclear issue and human rights and expand the ties of international cooperation and solidarity for resolving the human rights issues of North Korean residents. Peace and human rights are inseparable values. True peace cannot be enjoyed where human rights are oppressed and denied.
He concluded by declaring, “The designation of July 14 as ‘North Korean Defectors Day’ is an expression of our strong will to see North Korean defectors not just as recipients of support but as members of our community through communication and empathy. Seeking measures for their settlement and support to live as our neighbors will make our efforts to improve North Korean human rights meaningful.”
Minister Kim expressed his gratitude to those striving to improve North Korean human rights. Citing the example of the Berlin Wall, which collapsed due to the citizens’ longing for freedom, he said, “It’s time for us to openly declare our intention for the freedom and human rights of North Korean residents.”
“The international community must unite and advance so that the voice of freedom can reach North Korean residents. We have a duty to inform North Korean defectors about citizens’ rights. As part of this effort, the Ministry of Unification designated July 14 as North Korean Defectors Day, intending to convey our will for their acceptance to North Korean residents.
“Last year and this year, we published reports containing details on the horrific lives of North Korean residents. We will use the upcoming North Korean Human Rights International Conference in Washington, D.C., on July 21 to inform the international community about the North Korean human rights situation. The Ministry of Unification will continue to advance North Korean human rights and unification efforts in cooperation with like-minded individuals,” he said.
The opening ceremony was followed by a panel discussion on ‘The Reality of North Korean Human Rights and International Cooperation Measures’, chaired by Shin-hwa Lee, Ambassador for International Cooperation on North Korean Human Rights. Panelists included Julie Turner, U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights, Elizabeth Salmon, U.N. Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights, James Heenan, Director of the Seoul U.N. Human Rights Office, and Brian Myers, Professor of International Studies at Dongseo University.
Turner, who was first to speak, said, “This year marks the 10th anniversary of the North Korean Human Rights report and the designation of July 14 as North Korean Defectors Day, making it a special year. I want to emphasize the importance of the Yoon administration’s activities. It is crucial to inform North Korea about the freedoms enjoyed by the U.S. and South Korea.”
“When traveling for work, I prioritize meeting North Korean defectors. These meetings provide valuable insights into how to support them.
“North Korean defectors represent the voices of North Korean residents. Many of the defectors I’ve met have changed their thinking after watching foreign content.
“We must strive to implement the COI’s special report. We must fulfill our responsibilities to the residents and international obligations and hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations. The role of North Korean human rights organizations is also crucial,” Turner emphasized.
Salmon, who spoke next, said, “We continue to urge improvement in North Korean human rights. We must present follow-up measures and accountability to North Korea. North Korean defectors must be protected without exception. We call for strengthened support for defectors and specific assistance for the aging separated families. It is important to continue informing about North Korea’s human rights issues.”
The World Watch List by Open Doors International has listed North Korea as the number 1 country where it is most difficult to live as a Christian, due to extreme persecution by the communist government and its idolized leader Kim Jong-Un.
North Koreans who seek to flee the country most often try to escape through China and ultimately seek refuge in South Korea. But after crossing the northern border, they remain at risk of forced repatriation by the Chinese authorities and face severe punishment upon their return to North Korea, as earlier reported by Christian Daily International.
Originally published by Christian Daily Korea. Translated and edited by Christian Daily International staff.
