At a time when North Korean human rights issues are gaining attention, national representative NGO’s gathered together to discuss strategies to solve North Korea’s human rights problems.
At a press conference on 11th, Peace Foundation Director Beobryun questioned what could be done to improve the human rights situation in the North. Leftist parties mutually voiced the opinion that the government needs to take substantial measures to improve North Korean human rights, as opinions and perceptions of these issues within society have clearly changed.
Although there were differences amongst participants in opinions on the methodology that should be employed in improving North Korea’s human rights situation, all were in agreement that development aid was a necessity. However, there was disagreement over how the distribution of the aid should be overseen.
Participants at the symposium included experts Han Ki Hong, president of the Network for North Korean Democracy and Human Rights (NKnet); Lee Tae Ho, Co-director of People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy; Rho Ok Jae, Director of Business for Good Friends; Lee Jae Cheon, Director of Citizen’s Alliance for North Korean Human Rights; and Cho Ki Yeon, Social Chief Director of The Christian Council of Korea.
Director Won Jae Cheon, who presented “The shortcut to solving the issue of North Korean human rights and defectors” said “To improve the issue of North Korean human rights, the Asian region needs to create its own human rights convention” and asserted “The government is reluctant to take up the issue of human rights as it does not want to aggravate North Korea, but through an Asian human rights convention, essential improvements could be made to North Korea’s human rights.”
President Han Ki Hong said “To solve North Korea’s human rights problem, it is an absolute necessity that the North Korean governmental system is changed”. He asserted “In regards to support for North Korea, with the exception of economic support for humanity, liaisons need to be established before further support is given”.
European countries insist that improvement of North Korean Human Rights is only possible through creation of mutual doctrines.
Further, he asserted “As the main initiative of the North Korean people is to solve the issue of North Korea’s human rights, the focus within North Korea needs to be changed. Many North Koreans have been exposd to the outside world now, and are aware of the discrepancies of their country. Assistance needs to be given to North Koreans to cultivate their own future”.
Executive director Lee Tae Ho said “The government should express open positive interest to the UN in regards to North Korean human rights issues and needs to encounrage discussion and problem solving rather than political investigation”. He said “Humanitarian aid is urgently needed, and it is necessary to find donations and distributors”.
National director Rho Ok Jae said “The government needs to address the UN board of directors with a North Korean human rights resolution that encourages positive intervention in North Korea, and support and improvement of human rights.”
On the day of symposium, representatives from the U.S., Finnish, British, and German Embassies in Korea, and other participating countries, revealed their position on the issue of North Korean human rights and conferred that a reciprocal system involving the North’s active participation needs to be established to improve North Korea’s human rights situation.
Finland’s Ambassador, Kim Luotonen, said “Support for North Korean humanity requires the cooperation of the North”. She said “Finland is pressuring the UN to permit visitations by aid distributors, and are urging an increase in aid distrubutions to the North”.
