[imText1]A conference of defectors called this morning for the 20,000-strong defector community to play a bigger role in the overthrow of Kim Jong Il at what it called the current “ripe” moment to bring the regime to an end.
The Committee for the Democratization of North Korea sponsored “Conference of 20,000 Defectors Rising for the Overthrow of the Culprit in the Yeonpyeong Island Shelling and Sinking of the Cheonan, the Kim Dynasty” was held at the Press Center in Seoul.
In a statement released at the event, conference attendees vowed to renew their efforts to “bring forward the end of the Kim Jong Il regime”.
“At the moment, the atmosphere is ripe for the People’s Army and people to unite and punish Kim Jong Il,” it added, continuing therefore, “The South Korean government and people have to make an effort for North Korean democratization, and if Kim Jong Il comes up with another armed provocation, respond strongly so that it brings about the self-destruction of the Kim Jong Il system.”
Park Seh Il of Hansun Foundation for Freedom and Prosperity added, “Thus far, South Korea has only focused on maintaining the status quo,” but added, “In this situation, defectors must become the leading group in Korean Peninsula unification and provide good answers to questions of the future shape of North and South Korea and the principles of a decent and fair reunification.”
Meanwhile, Choi Hong Jae of Zeitgeist lamented, “We must always remember those who have suffered in the North Korean regime’s provocations, and the North Korean people who also suffer for the regime’s power,” adding, “If we had known the truth of the North Korean regime, there would not be victims such as those on Yeonypeong Island.”
A number of defectors used the conference to call for defectors to play a bigger role in North Korean democratization activities.
Defector Jang Hae Seong, a former journalist with Chosun Central Television said, “The Yeonpyeong Island event was also our fault as defectors,” explaining, “Even though we lived in North Korea, we failed to adequately explain the truth about Kim Jong Il here in South Korea.”
Lee Ae Ran, the head of the North Korean Traditional Food Culture Institute also called for female defectors to do more, saying, “North Korean defectors are 78% women. With this many women, we must step up and use our power for North Korean democratization activities,” adding, “We, who came to South Korea for our own good, must use our power for the good of the North Korean people and their families.”
