NKnet researcher and human rights activist Kim Young Hwan has lent his backing to the idea of a privately funded ‘North Korean Human Rights Foundation’ with the role of strengthening relations between domestic North Korean human rights NGOs.
Kim, speaking at a forum hosted by SIGK, said, “Rather than wait around for the National Assembly to pass the North Korean Human Rights Act, a foundation established and led by civilians could be a big help in capacity-building for the North Korean human rights movement.”
He emphasized, “Currently, the North Korean human rights movement is overrun with small groups that have no solidarity and are simply unable to offer new alternatives. It is time for these small organizations to make an effort to join the policy debate, undertake joint projects and cooperate to strengthen their solidarity.”
“It is important to build a network of international cooperation,” he went on. “We need to look into creating a ‘North Korean Human Rights International Network’ for those human rights organizations and leaders globally who have an interest in North Korean human rights.”
Kim continued, “Top activists should be given the opportunity to study abroad and to gain knowledge of ongoing international human rights movements.”
He also emphasized the need for more content to attract attention, like the ‘Daughter of Tongyeong’ movement or the ongoing ‘North Korean Human Rights International Film Festival’,, all of which require an enhanced degree of cooperation.
“Human rights issues and discussions should be made easily accessible by continuous exposure through films, concerts, cartoons and cultural content,” he explained, adding, “A wide range of organized institutional systems equipped with expert training are needed for the future of the North Korean human rights movement.”
