No More Korea Slaves of the Kim Regime
No More Political Prisoners
No More Separated Families
No More Kim Jong Un Dictatorship
All Koreans Free: Let Us Lead the Way

Dear Friends:

It is a great honor to present to you the acknowledgements report for the 19^th Annual North Korea Freedom Week prepared for you by Johnny Park.

The reactions felt by participants in NKFW 2022 throughout the week can be summed up as follows:

NKFW 2023: Pyongyang!

Seriously, you could feel this great sense of purpose and commitment among the North Korean defector leaders and the South Korea activists who helped organize this year’s NKFW. Despite the hostility and great repression, the human rights cause and these North Korean escapees endured during the Moon administration, these men and women would not lose hope, but remain resolved. There was this sense that everything could change very quickly if they could just get the support they needed to accomplish their objective: the peaceful unification of Korea as a liberal democracy. We emphasized throughout the week the importance of saving the North Korean refugees in China, calling for the release of all those being held against their will in North Korea, and re-launching what had been a most successful information campaign by land, by sea, by air. Kim Heung Kwang, the NKFW Task Force Chair, summed it up best: “each event was done to the highest quality.”

NKFW 2022 had more media coverage than ever before and our annual Save North Korean Refugees Day had more cities involved than ever before. The success of the week can be attributed to all the folks listed in the following pages who took part in this year’s events.

Acta Non Verba so we can have NKFW in Pyongyang,

Suzanne

Suzanne Scholte
Chair, North Korea Freedom Week 2022

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North Korea Freedom Week 2022 Chairs

Suzanne Scholte, Chair of NKFC and President of DFF
Kim Suk-woo, Chair of Citizens’ Alliance for North Korea Human Rights
Kim Tae-hoon, Honorary President of the Lawyers Association for the Human Rights and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula
Park Sun-young, Chair of Mulmangcho and Former Member of the National Assembly
Lee Mi-il, Chair of the Korean War Abductees’ Familiy Union
Lee Jung-hoon, Former South Korean Ambassador for North Korea Human Rights and Professor at Yonsei University International Graduate School
Lee Yong-hee, President of Esther Prayer Movement Center and Professor at Gachon University
In Ji-yeon, President of NANK
Lim Chang-ho, Chair of the NKHRD
Jae Sung-ho, Former South Korean Ambassador for North Korea Human Rights and Professor at Chung Ang University
Nishioka Tsutomu, Executive Representative of the National Council for the Rescue of Japanese Abductees by North Korea

North Korea Freedom Week 2022 Steering Committee

Kim Heung-kwang, President of NK Intellectual Solidarity Association and NKFW Task Force Manager
Kang Chul-ho, Senior Pastor at Sae Teo Church
Kang Chul-hwan, President of North Korea Strategy Center
Kim Seong-min, President of Free North Korea Radio
Kim Jung-ae, Chair of North Korean Writers in Exile PEN Literature
Kim Hyung-soo, President of Stepping Stone
Kim Hee-yeon, President of the Association for Global North Korean Defector Women Support
Park Sang-hak, President of Free North Korea Movement
Park Jung-oh, President of Keun Saem
Huh Kwang-il, Chair of the Committee for Democratization of North Korea
Jang Se-yul, President of the NK People’s Liberation Front
Choi Jung-hoon, Head of NK People’s Liberation Front, Representative of South North Reunification Party
Ahn Chan-il, Head of International North Korea Research Center
Lee Hyang-ran, President of Unification-Oriented Council
Lee Eun-taek, President of Righteous People
Lee Ae-ran, Director of Free Unification Movement

North Korea Freedom Week 2022 NGOs from Japan

Kawasaki Eiko, President of Korea of All
Sawai Kenji, Global Peace Foundation East Asia Free Human Rights Program
Yamada Fumiake, Honorary Chair of the Society to Help Returnees to North Korea

North Korea Freedom Week 2022 U.S. Delegation

Suzanne Scholte, Chair of NKFW 2022
Johnny Park, U.S. Delegation Coordinator
Lisa Orme
Pam Davidson
Wendy Wright
Arielle Del Turco
Lisa Gallo
Lou Gallo
Myong Chong
John Suh
Rev. Lawrence Lee
Dr. Tara O
Kenji Sawai
Dr. Ryu Jai-poong

Special Thanks goes to Jason Ahn for all his help for the U.S. Delegation providing translation and translators all week long!

Sunday, September 25

10 – 12 pm Special Service for the 19th North Korea Freedom Week

Location: Sae Teo Church

North Korea Freedom Week Opening Service organized by Pastor Kang Chul-ho was held at his church, Sae Teo Church. Pastor Kang Chul-ho gave his sermon on the importance of sharing the gospel with the people of North Korea to reunify the two Koreas.

Suzanne Scholte emphasized three points at the service—(1) saving the North Korean refugees in China; (2) relaunching an information campaign against North Korea; (3) and promoting North Korean defectors work.

Kim Seong-min of Free North Korea Radio reemphasized Suzanne’s statement that we should have the 20^th NKFW in Pyongyang, citing Psalms 37:24–“Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.”

Media Coverage:

https://www.newdaily.co.kr/site/data/html/2022/09/25/2022092500038.html
https://www.newdaily.co.kr/site/data/html/2022/09/25/2022092500036.html
https://www.newdaily.co.kr/site/data/html/2022/09/25/2022092500034.html
https://n.news.naver.com/article/001/0013461543?sid=100

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2 – 3 pm Flower Dedication Ceremony for Freedom Heroes

Location: War Memorial of Korea

Thank you to Pastor Sung Sang-mo and Rev. Lawrence Lee for organizing an amazing music concert for North Korean defectors. At the concert, Suzanne Scholte gave opening remarks emphasizing the need to support North Korean defectors’ work—“All of us who are living in freedom have the moral obligation to help those who don’t have this freedom.” 

Pastor Sung Sang-mo, Rev. Lawrence Lee, Retd. Maj. Ge. Jang Kwang-hyun, Kim Suk-woo of Citizens’ Alliance for North Korea Human Rights, Kim Tae-hoon of the Bar Association for the Human Rights and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula, Lee Hyang-ran of the Unification-Oriented Council, and National Assemblyman Choe Jae-hyeong expressed their support for the North Korea human rights movement and encouraged the South Korean citizens to actively participate.

“Hoping that the people of North Korea can also enjoy the same freedom that the South Koreans have,” said National Assemblyman Choe.

Monday, September 26

2 – 3:30 NKFW Opening Ceremony

Location: Seoul Press Center

The 19^th NKFW Opening Ceremony was held at the Seoul Press Center and joined by numerous human rights activists and media reporters. The opening ceremony included messages of encouragement. Following the Opening Welcome Remarks from NKFW Chair Suzanne Scholte (President of DFF/Chair of NKFC) and National Assemblyman Thae Young-ho, the following individuals raised their voice for the people of North Korea:

• Kim Tae-hoon, Honorary President of the Bas Association for the Human Rights and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula
• Park Sun-young, Chair of Mulmangcho and Former Member of the National Assembly
• Lee Jung-hoon, Former South Korea Ambassador for North Korea Human Rights
• Kim Moon-soo, Head of the Economic, Social and Labor Council under the President and Former Governor of Gyeonggi Province
• Lee Yong-hee, President of Esther Prayer Movement

The following North Korea defector leaders shared their messages urging the South Korean citizens to participate in the North Korea huma rights movement:

“North Korean defectors have come to South Korea for freedom, and freedom requires responsibility. The North Korean defectors’ responsibility is to protect South Korea from the pro-North Korea clique in South Korea,” said Huh Kwang-il.

Link to the Opening Ceremony:

Media Coverage:

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2022/09/103_336777.html
https://n.news.naver.com/article/003/0011440567?sid=102
https://www.christianpost.com/voices/fighting-for-freedom-for-the-worlds-most-repressed-country.html

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U.S. Department of State Press Release on North Korea Freedom Week: Supporting Human Rights in North Korea

Thank you to President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Tony Blinken, and Scott Busby of the U.S. State Department for the powerful statement for the 19^th North Korea Freedom Week. Thank you for not only standing with the millions of North Koreans who are currently suffering under the brutal dictatorship of Kim Jong Un but also exposing the forcible repatriation of North Korean refugees.

Text of US State Department Statement:

As we reflect on North Korea Freedom Week, we recognize the courage of the North Korean defector and human rights community, which continues to speak on behalf of the millions of North Koreans suffering deplorable abuses and who are unable to advocate for themselves. Despite the regime’s announcement that it has overcome COVID-19, its borders remain sealed, and the humanitarian situation remains dire. More than 100,000 individuals, including children, remain detained in the country’s vast network of prison camps, while the regime diverts resources from the people and systematically uses forced labor to generate revenue in support of its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.

For those who have escaped, many remain vulnerable to abuse and are subjected to transnational repression. We remain deeply concerned about the plight of North Korean asylum seekers. North Koreans who are forcibly repatriated are reportedly commonly subjected to summary execution, torture, arbitrary detention, forced abortion, and other forms of gender-based violence.

The international community must act to hold accountable those responsible for these human rights abuses. The United States remains committed to shining a spotlight on the egregious human rights situation in the DPRK and working with allies and partners to promote accountability and increase the free flow of information into, out of, and within the DPRK.

Media Coverage:

https://n.news.naver.com/article/001/0013476154?sid=104
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20221001000200325

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4 – 6 pm Forcible Repatriation of North Korean Defectors: Special Press Conference on False Murder Confession Fact-Finding Committee

Location: Seoul Press Center

Thank you to Kang Chol-hwan of the North Korea Strategy Center for hosting a press conference exposing the truth of the Moon administration’s unconstitutional and inhumane wrongdoings of forcibly sending two North Korean defector fishermen back to North Korea.

The event was joined by multiple panelists—Kang Chol-hwan of the North Korea Strategy Center, Chung Kwang-sung of Chosun Ilbo, Lawyer Do Tae-woo, Park Young-ho (Former NK Soldier), Lee Chul-hoon (Former NK Soldier), and Choi Jung-hoon of NK Liberation Front and of South North Reunification Party.

The panelists talked about how the Moon administration attempted to fabricate evidence and committed a crime of forcibly sending the two North Korean fishermen back to North Korea. “The main issue of this case is that the Moon administration went against South Korea’s liberal democratic norms and perpetrated a crime against humanity,” said Mr. Do Tae-woo.

Link to the Press Conference:

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7 – 9 pm Seminar on the North Korea Salvation Unification Gospel

Location: Esther Prayer Movement

Thank you to President Lee Yong-hee of Esther Prayer Movement for inviting Suzanne Scholte to share her testimony with Esther Prayer Movement. Mr. Lee Yong-hee of Esther Prayer Movement shared his hope that through the 19^th NKFW, many South Koreans would learn about the North Korea issue and participate in the salvation reunification movement for the people of North Korea.

In her testimony, Suzanne shared with the audience about how God has been guiding her and strengthening her in her work in which she thinks that God entrusted her with.

Link to the Event:

Media Coverage:

http://www.pennmike.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=57351

Tuesday, September 27

10 – 12 pm Press Conference on Requesting for the Prompt Establishment of North Korea Human Rights Foundation

Location: Seoul Press Center

Thank you to Kim Tae-hoon of the Lawyers Association for the Human Rights and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula forhosting a press conference to inform the South Korean citizens and international community of the importance of establishing the North Korea Human Rights Foundation.

The event was compartmentalized into two sessions. For the first session, Kim Tae-hoon, Kim Suk-woo of Citizens’ Alliance for North Korea Human Rights, Dr. Tara O, and Lawyer Lee Young-hun (the 1^st North Korean defector lawyer) led the session and talked about the essential role of the Foundation in promoting North Korea human rights. “The Foundation is essential for realizing the purpose of the Act — ‘Protection and improvement of human rights of North Koreans,’” said Mr. Kim Tae-hoon.

For the second session, Lawyer Lim Ji-yeon, Rev. Lawrence Lee, Pastor Peter Jeong, Pastor Sung Sang-mo, and Kim Il-joo joined as panelists. They focused on informing the South Korean citizens of the Foundation. “The prompt establishment of the Foundation is necessary with the Kim regime’s legalization of nuclear weapons in its constitution,” said Mr. Kim Il-joo. 

Media Coverage:

https://n.news.naver.com/article/001/0013465062?sid=100
https://n.news.naver.com/article/056/0011345945?sid=100
https://www.voakorea.com/a/6764903.html
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220927004700325

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2 – 4 pm Denunciation of the North Korean Government’s Terror Threats against North Korean Defector Activists: Listening to the Voices of North Korea Defector Organizations Heads Calling for the South Korean Government’s Response

Location: The National Assembly

Thank you to Choi Jung-hoon of NK People’s Liberation Front for hosting a seminar to share North Korea’s terror threats to North Korean defector activists. The seminar was held at the National Assembly. Kim Seong-min of Free North Korea Radio, Yoo Dong-yeol of Korea Institute of Liberal Democracy, Park Sang-hak of Free North Korea Movement, Park Jung-oh of Keun Saem, and Choi Jung-hoon talked about how the Police can be politicized by the leadership in the Executive Office.

The panelists emphasized that when they are in power, the Democratic Party of South Korea has been utilizing the Police to monitor and limit the activities of North Korean defector activists.

Suzanne Scholte gave closing remarks which reiterated the need to support the work of North Korean defector activists and to reverse South Korea’s Anti-Leaflet Law for its unconstitutional nature.

Wednesday, September 28

1 – 3 pm Forum on New Media Information Utilization for the Promotion of North Koreans’ Right to Information

Location: Seoul Metro Station

Thank you to Kim Heung-kwang of NK Intellectual Solidarity Association for hosting a seminar focusing on creative ways to reach out to the people of North Korea with the cutting-edge technology.

Following Suzanne Scholte’s opening remarks which emphasized the urgency to relaunch an information campaign against North Korea, Kim Heung-kwang, Professor Kang Ji-won of Saejong University, Professor Moon Hyung-nam of Sookmyung Women’s University, Professor Kang Dong-wan of Dona-A University, and Jang Se-yul of NKPLF discussed the current status of North Korea on information technology and how the outside world can exploit North Korea’s vulnerabilities.

Mr. Kim Heung-kwang highlighted that the international community should develop Shadow Internet for the North Koreans, so they can access outside information freely.

Media Coverage:

http://www.pennmike.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=57420

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7 – 9 pm Central Military Chapel Visit

Location: Central Military Chapel

Thank you to the Central Military Chapel for hosting Suzanne Scholte to share her testimony and faith with the Chapel. Suzanne shared with the Chapel how she can feel God’s presence around her as she continues to strive to promote North Korea human rights.

Thursday, September 29

10 – 12 pm Accusation of Repatriation of Korean-Japanese to North Korea and Human Rights Violations

Location: The National Assembly

Thank you to Ahn Chan-il of International North Korea Research Center for hosting the seminar to expose the reprehensible cooperation between North Korea and Chongryon.

Kawasaki Eiko of Korea of All, Kang Chul-hwan of the North Korea Strategy Center, Movie Director Kim Duk-young, and Lee So-rah of Korea of All joined the seminar as panelists and stressed the international cooperation on the Japanese abductees issue. Further, they talked about how the Korean-Japanese people were “duped” into believe that North Korea is a socialist paradise. “There should be no statute of limitations for the human rights violators,” said Ms. Kawasaki Eiko. 

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1 – 3 pm Strategic Discussion on Hwang Jang-yop’s Observation on Liberal Democracy and the Democratization of North Korea

Location: The National Assembly

Thank you to Huh Kwang-il of the Committee for the Democratization of North Korea for hosting a discussion session on Hwang Jang-yop’s views on liberal democracy. In Suzanne’s opening remarks, she reiterated Mr. Hwang’s quote, “The miracle of the Han River can be the miracle of the Taedong River if we continue to raise our voices for the people of North Korea.”

Lee Dong-bok of North Korea Democratization Forum, Kang Tae-wook of Democracy Ideology Association, Seo Jung-soo of Democracy Politics Philosophy Association, Yoo Kwang-ho of Yonsei University Institute for Social Development, and Collaboration Professor Cho Young-ki of Kookmin University discussed the concept of liberal democracy and ways to confront North Korea’s ideology. “As a result of the Sun Shine Policy, the U.S.-ROK alliance got weakened and North Korean defectors’ freedom activities were undermined,” said Mr. Cho Young-ki.

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4 – 7 pm Tasks and Roles of North Korean Defector College Students for the Liberation of North Korea

Location: The Koreana Hotel

Thank you to Pastor Lim Chang-ho of NKHRD for organizing a dinner discussion session for North Korean defector college students to encourage their participation in the North Korea human rights movement. Suzanne Scholte gave powerful opening remarks encouraging them to get involved in the North Korea issue: “As the youth of Korea, you have a special role to play. Thus, I hope you will strive to do well in your lives and to seek God’s direction in all that you do in the future.”

Nishioka Tsutomu of the National Council for the Rescue of Japanese Abductees, Former Director Kim Yeon-joo of Good Farmers International Development, College student Kim Eun-joo, and Professor Ju Seung-hyung of Kosin University joined as panelists to discuss the ways to get North Korean defector students involved in the North Korea issue. One of the panelists, Ms. Kim Yeon-joo shared why she decided to get involved in the North Korea issue, “After learning about the misperceptions of some of the South Koreans about North Korean defectors, I decided to participate in the North Korea human rights movement,” said Ms. Kim. 

Friday, September 30

9:30 – 12 pm One Korea International Forum

Location: The Seoul Press Center

Thank you to Kenji Sawai of Global Peace Foundation for organizing a fabulous international forum on the North Korea human rights issue. The event’s main goal was to promote the trilateral cooperation between South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. on the North Korea issue from North Korea’s gruesome human rights violations to nuclear weapons to the reunification of the two Koreas.

Following Dr. Ryu Jai-poong of One Korea Foundation’s opening remarks, the U.S. panel session took place. In the session, Suzanne Scholte and Greg Scarlatoiu of HRNK shared their concerns for the people of North Korea suffering under Kim Jong Un’s dictatorship. Suzanne presented one of the rice bottles being sent to North Korea to the audience. “This is what Kim Jong Un fears,” said Ms. Suzanne Scholte. Also, NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, Lee Hyung-seung of Global Peace Foundation, and Col. David Maxwell of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies sent their video messages for the U.S. panel session.

Following the U.S. panel session, the Japan session took place. In the session, Fumiake Yamada of the Society to Help Returnees to North Korea, Kawasaki Eiko of Korea of All, and Song Yun-buk of No Fence (video message) talked about the importance of global cooperation on the reunification of two Koreas and the Japanese abductee issue.

Lastly, Sohn Kwang-joo of Korean Network for Advanced Country, Moon Kook-han of NK Human Rights International Association, and Kang Chul-hwan of North Korea Strategy Center joined as panelists for the Korea session. They emphasized that the most effective way to undermine Kim Jong Un is to highlight his heinous human rights violations. Further, the panelists asked for support from the South Korean government.

At the event, a video showing excerpts of messages that U.S. Members of Congress sent to Free North Korea Radio expressing their hopes and dreams for the North Koreans for the 2022 Korean Liberation Day was played. Thank you to the following members of the U.S. Congress who sent 2022 messages to North Korea:

Thank you to Anna Yang and Johnny Park of Defense Forum Foundation for preparing the video.

You can watch this session at these links:

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2 – 4 pm Protest against the CCP’s Forcible Repatriation of North Korean Refugees

Location: The PRC Embassy in Seoul

As part of the Save North Korean Refugees Day 2022, the North Korea Freedom Coalition, the Association of North Korea Human Rights Organization, and the National Association of North Korean Defectors organized a protest in front of the PRC Embassy in Seoul. Approximately, 200 people participated in this year’s protest.

For this year’s SNKRD, 55 cities from 18 countries joined us in solidarity worldwide for the North Korean refugees detained in China:

Australia, Anthony Boyle—Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney
Barbados, Anna Didier—Bridgetown
Belgium, Joseph Jansen—Brussels
Canada, Kyung B. Lee—Ottawa, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver
Cuba, Bro. Adalberto Santiago–Havana
France, Mark and Denise Ost—Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Papeete, Saint-Denis, and Strasbourg
Finland, Mikko Heikkonen—Helsinki
Japan, Kato Hiroshi—Tokyo, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Niigata, Osaka, Sapporo, and Nagoya
Malawi, Jones Chamangwana and Madalitso Banda—Lilongwe
Mexico, Joy Ost—Mexico City and Tijuana
New Zealand, Anthony Boyle—Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch
Nicaragua, Agent A—Managua
South Africa, Atabongwoung Gallous—Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg
The Republic of Korea, the NKFC, the Association of North Korea Human Rights Organization, and the National Association of North Korean Defectors—Seoul
The Dominican Republic, Bro. Adalberto Santiago—Santo Domingo 
The Netherlands, Joseph Jansen—The Hague and Curacao
The U.K., Christian Solidarity Worldwide—London, Belfast, Edinburgh, and Manchester
The U.S.A.—Washington D.C.-Pastor Star Lee and Esther Prayer Movement, New York-PSALT NK and Gloria Chavez, Chicago-Sally Jo Messersmith and Angel A, Los Angeles-Ellen Han), Sacramento-Maria Cartwright, and Puerto Rico-Bro. Adalberto Santiago

At the protest, excerpts from THE LIST, which consists of the names of North Korean refugees who are still detained in China or sent back to North Korea, was read by North Korean defector activists and U.S. delegates. Also, a letter to President Xi asking him to stop forcibly repatriating North Korean refugees to North Korea was delivered to the PRC Embassy.

The participants called for the CCP to stop forcibly repatriating North Korean refugees to North Korea and allow them a safe passage to South Korea. “The North Koreans didn’t defect from North Korea risking their lives, so they can live in another oppressive country like China. They defected from North Korea for free countries like South Korea, the U.S., and England,” said Ms. Park Sun-young. 

Media Coverage:

http://www.pennmike.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=57470
http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=172788

Although the weather was very bad because of hurricane Ian, Pastor Star Lee organized a successful prayer event at the PRC Embassy in Washington D.C. and 13 people participated in the prayer event.

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5 – 7 pm Evening Prayer Service for the Salvation of the People of North Korea

Location: Yeolbangsam Church

Thank you to Pastor Phillip Lee for hosting a special NKFW Prayer event. During the service, a North Korean defector woman gave a powerful testimony of how God helped her grow her faith in God in her journey from North Korea to South Korea. And Kim Seong Min shared about NKFW.

Saturday, October 1

10 – 12 pm The 5^th Memorial Ceremony for Freedom Fighters/Discussion on Information Campaign of North Korean Defector Organizations

Thank you to Jang Se-yul of NKPLF for hosting the memorial ceremony and discussion on North Korean defectors’ efforts to share the truth with the people of North Korea. Kim Seong-min of FNKR, Kang Chul-hwan of North Korea Strategy Center, Ahn Chan-il of International North Korea Research Center, Choi Jung-hoon of NK People’s Liberation Front, and Lee Ae-ran of Free Unification Movement joined as panelists and talked about how the Moon administration oppressed their activities to send outside information to North Korea and what the Yoon administration should do to make up for the damage wrought by the Moon administration.

“The two Koreas cannot coexist. If there’s any chance of them being able to coexist, would North Korean defectors have left North Korea risking their lives and leaving their beloved ones behind? People who argue that the two Koreas can coexist are a disgrace to North Korean defectors,” said Mr. Jang Se-yul.

After the discussion session, flowers were dedicated flowers to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of North Korea. Suzanne emphasized the need to continue to remember those who sacrificed themselves to liberate North Korea from the Kim family dictatorship.

Media Coverage:

https://n.news.naver.com/article/001/0013476858?sid=004
https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20221003019018

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2 – 3 pm Free North Korea Radio Visit

Location: Free North Korea Radio

Thank you to Kim Seong-min of FNKR for inviting the U.S. delegation to FNKR. At FNKR, FNKR staff and U.S. delegates took thank-you photos for U.S. Members of Congress who sent their 2022 Korean Liberation Day messages to FNKR.

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5 – 7 pm The 19th NKFW Closing Ceremony

Location: The Seoul Press Center

Thank you to Kim Heung-kwang of NK Intellectual Solidarity Association for organizing the 19th NKFW closing ceremony. At the closing ceremony, certificates of appointment were delivered to North Korean defector activists and South Korean activists who will be tasked with organizing the 20th NKFW.

Following Suzanne’s closing remarks, which set out the goal to have the 20th NKFW in Pyongyang, Kim Suk-woo of Citizens’ Alliance for North Korea Human Rights, Park Sun-young of Mulmangcho, Kawasaki Eiko of Korea of All, Ahn Chan-il of International North Korea Research Center, Choi Jung-hoon of NK People’s Liberation Front, Jang Se-yul of NKPLF, and Lee Hyang-ran of Unification-Oriented Council shared their hopes and dreams for the people of North Korea. “The Yoon’s administration’s Audacious Initiative should be Audacious “Support” for North Korean defectors,” said Mr. Choi Jung-hoon.

Lastly, thank you to President Yoon Suk-yeol for acknowledging the 19th NKFW through his administration officials by confirming his determination to improve the issue of North Korea human rights. The Deputy Minister of Unification, the Division Chief for North Korea Human Rights at the Unification Ministry, and the Secretary to the President for Unification Office of National Security, and the Director for North Korea Human Rights at the Unification Ministry attended the closing ceremony and expressed their support for North Korean defector and the people of North Korea.

As part of NKFW tradition, North Korean defector activists, Park Sang-hak of Free North Korea Movement and Park Jung-oh of Keun Saem, sent balloons and rice bottles to North Korea respectively. Both events were fully funded by American freedom lovers in partnership with the North Korean escapes who carried out the efforts as part of the ongoing information campaign.

Media Coverage:

https://www.newspim.com/news/view/20221002000002
http://www.pennmike.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=56923 

The flash drives sent by balloon and rice bottle launches contained excerpts from 25 messages from Members of the U.S. Congress that were broadcast to North Korea on Free North Korea Radio in 2022. The American leaders shared their heartfelt concerns and hopes for the people of North Korea. The actual video sent on these flash drives can be viewed here at this link: