Organized by the North Korea Freedom Coalition Activists Representing 20 Countries in 49 Cities Worldwide Call on Xi Jinping: Stop Repatriating North Koreans

Dear Friends:

During North Korea Freedom Week 2024, the North Korean defector delegation chairs Jang Sei-ul and Kim Ji-young warned us repeatedly about the threat of execution for those North Korean refugees who were repatriated last October. Tragically, what they warned about occurred just a month before this year’s Save North Korean Refugees Day. Thus, when we delivered our appeals to Xi Jinping to the Embassies and Consulates of the People’s Republic of China, the opening line was: “Less than a month ago on August 30, 2024, two North Korean women were tried and later executed while nine others were sent to slower deaths in political prison camps to serve life sentences.”

In the face of these ongoing tragic circumstances, this year’s Save North Korean Refugees Day saw action in twenty countries and forty-nine cities with hundreds of participants because so many of YOU took the time to deliver appeals to save the lives of the North Korea refugees. I know many of you faced opposition, private security, disdain and indifference BUT your actions give hope to the North Korean people that they are not forgotten AND remind the Communist regime in China that free people will continue to stand up against their heinous actions. Here in Washington, D.C. the Chinese hired additional private security — three cars! but the D.C. cops and the secret service were sympathetic to our side. When I shared our letter to Xi with the D.C. police officer stationed at the PRC Embassy, she read it, was visibly moved, her eyes widened, and she said, “Do what you need to do!” We tried to deliver the letter but of course no one would let us in, so we taped it at the entrance. Then, the private security tore it down and handed it back to us. We told him: “you are backing the wrong side!” After that, we had a peaceful demonstration and read the stories of the North Koreans that the defectors asked us to share and sang Amazing Grace.

Because we also want to remember those who are strongly advocating for the lives of the North Korean refugees, we also delivered a letter of thanks to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol through the Unification Attache of the Korean Embassy. This letter included the names of everyone around the world who participated this year as city and country coordinators, so he would know how thankful people around the world remain for his efforts to try to save the lives of those simply trying to have a better life.

The following is a report prepared for you by Johnny Park from our coordinators around the world that were a voice for the North Korean refugees.

Acta Non Verba,

Suzanne Scholte

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Country Reports

Australia

H.W. joined us in solidarity and delivered the NKFC appeal to the PRC Embassy in Canberra and the PRC General Consulates in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. 

Canada

Colombia

Joy Ost helped us deliver the NKFC appeal to the PRC Embassy in Bogota. 

Cuba

Adalberto Santiago volunteered to deliver the NKFC appeal to the PRC Embassy in Havana. Adalberto commented: “I am very glad to participate, seeking the Good Lord would intervene in his perfect time to transform and change nations like China & North Korea within themselves.” 

Fiji

H.W. attempted to email the NKFC appeal to the PRC Embassy in Suva, and volunteered to email the NKFC appeal to additional South Pacific Islands. 

Finland

France

Gabrijela Papec delivered the NKFC appeal on behalf of Genocide Watch to the PRC Embassy in Paris. 

Japan

India

Prabhleen Kaur and Areeka Khan of Genocide Watch joined us this year to deliver the NKFC appeal to the PRC Embassy in New Delhi. 

Malawi

Pastor Jones Chamangwana joined us this year to deliver the NKFC appeal to the PRC Embassy in Lilongwe. Pastor Jones commented: “Malawi joined the Action in 20 Countries, 49 Cities Worldwide: Save North Korean Refugees Day, which falls on 24 September. Stop, Xi Jinping, Killing North Koreans! Time to End China’s Illegal and Horrific Treatment of North Korean is now.”

Mexico 

Joy Ost represented Mexico to deliver the NKFC appeal to the PRC Embassy in Mexico City and the PRC General Consulate in Tijuana. 

Micronesia 

Thanks to H.W. This year, we were able to represent multiple South Pacific Islands. H.W. attempted to deliver the NKFC appeal to the PRC Embassy in Palikir. 

New Zealand 

H.W. helped us deliver the NKFC appeal to the PRC Embassy in Wellington and the PRC General Consulates in Auckland and Christchurch. 

Papua New Guinea 

H.W. helped us deliver the NKFC appeal to the PRC Embassy in Port Moresby.

Republic of Korea

The General Association of North Korean Defector Human Rights Organizations

North Korean defectors led by Hu Kang-il, Jang Sei-ul, Kim Seong-min, and Kim Ji-young not only delivered their appeal to the PRC Embassy in Seoul but also organized a successful rally in front of the PRC Embassy. Jang Sei-ul commented: “Thank you for your efforts and dedication to North Korea human rights. I believe that we need to do more to promote the September 24th Save North Korean Refugees Day to the international community. It is also important for countries around the world to hold various events to prevent China from forcibly repatriating North Korean refugees. However, I hope that by submitting public inquiries (about the protection of North Korean refugees) in the names of hundreds or thousands of NGOs around the world to the U.N. Human Rights Council regularly and disclosing their responses to signatory organizations and countries, we can put pressure on the Chinese government. Chinese Embassies and Consulates in South Korea, Japan, and the U.S., may report summary information about the SNKRD to the Chinese government, but they are unlikely to relay our appeal or a statement of condemnation to the Chinese government.Not only the Chinese government but also the people of China should be informed of the human rights issues of North Korean refugees, and those who forcibly send North Korean refugees to North Korea should realize their actions, making them regret their actions. To this end, I believe it is necessary to use the method of posting the contents of the SNKRD translated into Chinese on public sites registered with Chinese accounts and disseminating them. I would also like to use a method of delivering letters or complaints to the Chinese Public Security Ministry under the joint signatures of the international civil society. The Public Security Ministry of China: Beijing Dongchang’an Street No.14, Zip Code: 100741.”

Media Coverage:
https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/view.php?key=20240924010013455 
http://fcs.news/View.aspx?No=3376347 

Solomon Islands 

H.W. helped us reach out to the PRC Embassy in Honiara with the NKFC appeal. 

South Africa

“Good day. Delivery of the letter of petition for the SNKRD in Pretoria South Africa was done by student activists from the Department of Political Science, the University of Pretoria. They went to the Embassy of China. They presented the petition to the security agents there. They requested if they could take a photo as evidence that the letter was received. The security agents told them that, no one is allowed to take a photo at the Embassy for security purposes. But he urged them to shift to the road, take the photo and then hand the letters to them for which they complied accordingly. They also expressed that they were shocked when they read the petition letters to see that North Koreans are being executed. Knowing the history of Apartheid in South Africa, they want to be part of the SNKRD outreach. They are angry with China.”

Timor-Leste

H.W. also represented H.W. and helped us deliver our appeal to the PRC Embassy in Dili. 

United Kingdom

Jordan with Christian Solidarity Worldwide joined us this year to deliver the NKFC appeal to the PRC Embassy in London and the PRC General Consulates in Belfast, Edinburgh, and Manchester. 

United States of America

California

Chicago

New York

James Park represented New York City and delivered our petition to the PRC General Consulate in New York. 

Washington DC

After the rally, the group held a briefing with the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) on the current situation involving North Korean refugees in China. Jang Sei-ul participated in the briefing online from South Korea to provide insights about the recent repatriations, the current situation in China for North Korean refugees. Also, during the briefing, Suzanne emphasized that sanctions targeting the Chinese officials who are involved in the forcible repatriation process must be enacted. The CECC briefing concluded with a powerful testimony from Esther Kim about her niece which reminded everyone this is personal, this is about families!  

Additionally, the group also delivered a letter of appreciation to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to the Unification Attache of the Korean Embassy which included all the SNKRD participants, so President Yoon would know that many people all over the world deeply value and appreciate how hard he is working to protect North Koreans citing them as citizens of South Korea under the Republic of Korea’s constitution. 

Media Coverage:

https://www.rfa.org/korean/weekly_program/defector_view_hr/nk-refugee-rescue-day-09252024092703.html
https://www.voakorea.com/a/7795514.html
https://www.voakorea.com/a/7797018.html
https://www.voakorea.com/a/7797351.html

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North Korean Refugee Stories

Many of the activists around the world held up the photos of the following refugees and told their stories to remind people of what was at stake. The following photos were the ones the North Korean defectors in South Korea selected.

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