Activists gear up for annual North Korea Freedom Week

As tensions continue to grow on the Korean peninsula in light of recent nuclear developments, the international community has began to shift its focus to the Hermit Kingdom. Many activists are arguing that reports of Kim Jong-eun’s nuclear provocations are actually overshadowing the more important issue in North Korea: human rights.

Reports Show Human Rights Violations Rampant in North Korea

An iconic photo of undernourished children in North Korea (Photo: NK News)

A recent report from Amnesty International shows that over 200,000 North Koreans are currently living in Soviet-style labour camps, where they are subject to torture, rape, beatings, public executions, hazardous forced labour and inadequate medical care, among other basic human rights violations.

Human Rights Watch’s 2013 World Report also detailed several other severe cases of human rights violations in North Korea. The report notes that as a result of a major famine in 2011, followed by serious economic mismanagement, an estimated 2.8 million North Koreans currently face under-nutrition.

The report also commented on the state of North Korea’s refugees and asylum seekers. As part of an overall policy restricting internal and external movement, North Korea’s government requires their citizens to obtain state permission prior to leaving the country. Those who are caught illegally crossing the northern border into China are either shot on the spot, or are sent to political prison camps for punishment and interrogation.

Occupying the position of #178 out of 179 countries ranked in Reporters Without Borders’ 2013 World Press Freedom Index, the North Korean regime has maintained a policy of total control of news and information.

North Korea Freedom Week

In light of all of this, the Seoul-based North Korea Freedom Coalition established North Korea Freedom Week 10 years ago.

The North Korean Freedom Coalition (NKFC) was founded in 2003 to promote the “freedom, human rights, and dignity of the North Korean people”. Since then, it has teamed up with over 70 like-minded organizations from the United States, Japan and South Korea to further their cause.

“While the past nine North Korea Freedom Weeks were focused on promoting the freedom, human rights and dignity of the North Korean people, this year’s NKFW will be focusing on preparing for the freedom, human rights and dignity of the North Korean people – that day is coming.” said Dr. Suzanne Scholte, Chairwoman of the North Korean Freedom Coalition in an online statement.

Cross-Border Balloon Launches

Also of note will be two balloon launches held near the DMZ on May 1st and 4th. Equipped with supplies like non-perishable food, socks, or pro-human rights literature, these balloons are sent off to North Korea from the South’s side of the DMZ. It is the hope of several human rights groups that North Koreans will be either to use these supplies themselves, or trade them on the black market for other goods.

Past launches have raised criticism from the North Korean government, who has threatened military action if the groups continue sending the balloons across.

Another popular ongoing event among Seoul’s North Korean human rights community is the regular Justice for North Korea (JFNK) street campaign. Held in Seoul’s traditional Insadong district, an area frequented by both tourists and locals alike, this campaign aims to raise awareness about the Chinese government’s forceful repatriation of North Korean refugees.

Justice for North Korea’s founder, Peter Jung, was imprisoned and tortured in China for his role in aiding these refugees. Now, JFNK continues to raise funds and awareness about the North Korean human rights crisis.

This year’s kickoff street campaign, which coincides with NKFW, will be on Saturday, May 4th from 3:00pm to 5:30pm on Insadong’s main street. Further details can be found on facebook here or on JFNK’s website.

Worldwide Events for North Korea Freedom Week

However, those interested in the cause of NKFW do not need to be living in Korea to participate. Events like film screenings, online petitions and demonstrations are taking place in several countries around the world.

A full list of worldwide events in honour of NKFW can be found here, while another list detailing the events taking place in Korea can be accessed here.

Global Volunteers Still Needed

The North Korea Freedom Coalition is still looking for volunteers to act as an NKFW coordinator for their university, place of worship, city or country. They ask that coordinators gather signatures for petitions to be sent on May 2nd, the Worldwide Awareness Day for North Korean refugees.

Coordinators are also encouraged to organize film screenings of the movie “Crossing”, which tells the sombre tale of a North Korean family ripped apart by their country’s humanitarian crisis. NKFC will provide copies of the DVD to coordinators who request it.

Those interested in participating can find more information here.