Conference on North Korean Human Rights in Seoul

For those of our readers in Seoul, NKnet and other groups will holding an international conference this coming Monday (12/9) on improving North Korean human rights through the UN Commission of Inquiry. Below, we have appended an abridged version of the newsletter that came across our desk with all relevant info. If you aren't in Korea next week, NKnet has provided a link to their North Korean Human Rights Speaker Series on Youtube for your viewing pleasure.

International Conference & Related Events

NKnet and other groups are holding an international conference on Monday, December 9, on Improving North Korean Human Rights through the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) at the Press Center in Seoul.

Several experts from Europe, the US, Korea, and Japan will be making presentations:   Kang Chol Hwan, Kim Young Hwan, David Hawk, Geoffrey Nice (lead Prosecutor of Slobodan Milošević in The Hague), Ben Rogers, Jared Genser, 등!

On Tuesday, December 10, there are two other related events.  English interpretation will be provided, and these events are free and open to the public – please come and please help us spread the word, thanks!

Details are at the Facebook event page (and also copied below).

Speaker Series on Youtube

Most of the talks from NKnet's North Korean Human Rights Speaker Series are on Youtube and remain extremely relevant today, check out the playlist!  So far Andrei Lankov's talk has proven to be the most popular, with well over 700 views since it was posted earlier this year.  Kang Chol Hwan's not far behind with 500+ views.  (Not that it's a contest or anything.)  Following is a list of videos, please share the playlist with anyone who may be interested.

• Gulag Survivor Kang Chol Hwan on the Politics of North Korea / 강철환 강연 (1:41:54)
• Andrei Lankov: Prospects of the Hereditary Succession in North Korea (1:49:25)
• Chris Green: Information Freedom Activities in North Korea (1:26:15)
• Joanna Hosaniak: International Society's Role in North Korea's Human Rights Situation (54:42)
• Dan Bielefeld: Ways to Participate in the North Korean Human Rights Movement (54:43)
• Kim Young Hwan: From Juche Evangelist to North Korean Human Rights Activist / 북한인권운동가 김영환 특별강연회 (2:06:36)

Details of International Conference & Related Events

2013 International Conference to Commemorate the 65th Annual Human Rights Day:

Improving North Korean Human Rights through the UN COI (Commission of Inquiry)

[simultaneous English translation will be provided; this event (and the others mentioned below) is free and open to the public - please tell your friends!]

1. Introduction

● Date & Time: December 9, 2013, 13:00~17:00

● Location: International Conference Hall at the Press Center, Seoul
(20th floor, 25 Taepyeongro 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul)
- City Hall Subway Station (lines 1 & 2), Exit 4
- Gwanghwamun Subway Station (line 5), Exit 5

● Co-sponsors: ICNK, Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies, Sejong Institute

● Co-hosts: Network for North Korean Democracy and Human Rights and Open Radio for North Korea

2. Mission

• Discuss follow-up actions of the international community in order to solve alleged Crimes against Humanity of North Korea after the COI report is released next March.
•  Suggest appropriate recommendations to the COI.
•  Discuss whether the UN Security Council will deal with the North’s human rights abuses and which international entities will be able to deal with the issue.
•  Create tighter international solidarity for follow-up actions including larger scale and more effective international campaigns to stop the North’s alleged crimes against humanity.
• Raise the South’s awareness on North Korean human rights, COI activities and international human rights mechanisms.

....

*Related events the next day:*

Press Conference

ICNK’s Future Actions to Cope with the COI Report

● Date & Time: 11:00~12:30, December 10

● Location: Maehwa Hall at the Press Center, Seoul

• (19th floor, 25 Taepyeongro 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul)
• City Hall Subway Station (lines 1 & 2), Exit 4
• Gwanghwamun Subway Station (line 5), Exit 5

1. Briefing about the ICNK strategic workshop
2. Explaining COI activities, report, potential recommendations and the necessary actions of the international community: major NGOs’ cooperative activities and domestic NGOs’ activities
3. Urging South Korean media and society to pay attention to NK crimes against humanity and join the international actions
4. Releasing a statement
5. Q & A

LHUK & ICNK International Forum:

Improvement of North Korean Human Rights through the International Court

“Meeting with Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, the lead Prosecutor
at the trial of Slobodan Milošević in the ICTY”

- Facebook Event Page
https://www.facebook.com/events/176628055878478/

● Co-hosts: Lawyers for Human Rights and Unification of Korea (LHUK) & International Coalition to Stop Crimes against Humanity in North Korea (ICNK)

● Date & Time: 18:00~19:30, December 10, 2013

● Location: Conference Hall at the Korea Bar Association (the 1st floor, Korea Bar Association bldg., 1718-1 Seocho 3-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul)

– Seocho Subway Station (line 2), exit 8 (look up address on internet before coming!)

Mission:

• Review international legal backgrounds of alleged Crimes against Humanity committed by North Korean authorities
• Study international legal mechanisms and criminal court mechanisms and debate ways to refer alleged North Korean Crimes against Humanity to the international court
• Study the case of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia

....