[프리덤조선] Global North Korean Human Rights Congress Set for Seoul, Defectors Vow 'Resistance Not to Forget' > 언론보도

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- Seoul to Host 2025 World Congress on October 22-24, Spearheaded by North Korean Escapee Leaders
- "Silence Only Breeds Another Tragedy," Warns Jang Se-yul, Urging International Solidarity
- First Civilian-Led Global Event Gathers Worldwide Defector Representatives and Grassroots Support

Seoul is gearing up to host the 2025 Seoul North Korean Human Rights World Congress from October 22 to 24, a pivotal event driven by North Korean escapee leaders aiming to galvanize international efforts for human rights in North Korea.

This congress, themed "Resistance Not to Forget," marks a significant moment as defectors worldwide unite to shed light on the atrocities faced by their compatriots.

◆ A Poignant Plea: "We Can Never Forget" the Suffering in North Korea

Jang Se-yul, Representative of Gyereol Unification FR, who lost family members to North Korea's political prison camps and now leads the North Korean Defectors Division for the congress, issued an emotional open letter ahead of the event.

In his message, Jang highlighted the alarming trend where "North Korean human rights" has become a "taboo word" in South Korea. He stressed, "People are told to forget the history of North Korean defections, to erase their tears and longing for their missing families and siblings. But we can never forget."

Jang emphasized that the pain endured by escapees is not just a memory but "the living reality of those still trapped in North Korea today, suffering in silence," warning that "our silence will only lead to another tragedy."

This profound sentiment underscores the congress's theme, "Resistance Not to Forget," which Jang describes as "a spiritual calling for the families of North Korea" aimed at re-establishing the universal values of freedom and human dignity.

◆ Historic Congress Unites Global Defector Diaspora in Seoul

This upcoming congress stands as the first-ever world-scale human rights event organized by South Korean private organizations, with North Korean escapees at its core.

Timothy Cho, Secretary-General of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on North Korea (APPG-NK) in the United Kingdom, and Yu-na Chung, a prominent young North Korean escapee activist, are slated as keynote speakers.

A crucial component of the congress will be the "Escapees’ Diaspora Forum," which will bring together representatives from 8 nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, France, Ukraine, Japan, and South Korea, underscoring the global reach of the defector community.

The American Human Rights Foundation, a co-organizer, is also actively involved, with its South Korean representative, Lee Sung-min, and spokesperson, Kim Il-hyuk, both being North Korean escapees themselves, further demonstrating the leadership role of defectors in this initiative.


◆ Grassroots Efforts and Concerts Fuel the Movement for Human Rights

The congress is receiving robust support from the North Korean escapee community itself, including fundraising and promotional efforts.

Human Rights Concerts featuring North Korean artists are scheduled for October 22-23.

Influential North Korean YouTubers such as Thae Yong-ho, former North Korean Deputy Ambassador to the United Kingdom and a former Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, Lee So-yeon, Jung Yu-na, and Kang Eun-jung, are actively promoting the event and raising funds, even amid limited media attention.

Financial contributions have also poured in from the community, with members of Jandaehyeon Church donating 28 million KRW, the North Korean Christian Federation contributing 1 million KRW, and former lawmaker Thae Yong-ho providing 2 million KRW.

Jang Se-yul highlighted this collective spirit, stating that "the entire community of North Korean defectors is preparing for this Congress with one heart and one mind."

◆ A Call to Arms: "War in the Name of Freedom" Against the Kim Jong-un Regime

Jang Se-yul's open letter culminates in a powerful declaration, asserting that the congress is "not merely an event — it is a historic decision to restore the forgotten issue of North Korean human rights and to protect the honor and pride of North Korean defectors." He issued a direct challenge to the Kim Jong-un regime, stating, "We have a moral responsibility to declare an all-out war, in the name of freedom, against the Kim Jong-un regime, which threatens the lives of its people with nuclear weapons and sends young soldiers to die in Russia’s war of aggression."

Jang further appealed to the international community, urging them to awaken the "conscience of the world through our love and dedication to the families of North Korea," and to "reaffirm the universal values of freedom and human rights."

He concluded by calling for broad participation, prayers, and support, emphasizing that such solidarity would send a powerful message of hope to oppressed North Korean compatriots, "you have not been forgotten."

The 2025 Seoul North Korean Human Rights World Congress aims to be a meaningful occasion demonstrating the dignity and mission of North Korean defectors to the world.

2025.10.11
프리덤조선 한강 cjdwls444@gmail.com