▲ Kim Young Hwan and many of those who worked hard to secure his release (© DailyNK)

North Korea human rights activist Kim Young Hwan has again reaffirmed his determination to keep striving for the cause of North Korean human rights, in spite of the torture he recently suffered during 114-days in detention in China.

Speaking at an event held yesterday to celebrate Kim’s safe return to South Korea exactly one month ago to the day, he declared, “When I was in detention the hardest thing was the isolation; however, I was sure that many people would be working to rescue me so I could overcome it," adding, "In future I will work even harder for the North Korea human rights movement.”

Kim also repeated his criticism of the actions of the Chinese authorities, pointing out, “The Chinese government agencies already knew a great many things about me before they arrested me, for example through wiretapping and surveillance. From their point of view, this torture was absolutely not necessary.”

“My heart laments the fact that I will no longer be able to undertake the activities I had been doing in China for a long time,” he added.