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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for HRNK
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DTSTART:20160313T070000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180912T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180912T150000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132602Z
UID:712512-1536753600-1536764400@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Global Conversations: North Korea - Fire and Fury or Dialogue and Diplomacy?
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/global-conversations-north-korea-fire-and-fury-or-dialogue-and-diplomacy/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180829T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180829T210000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132602Z
UID:712511-1535569200-1535576400@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:North Korea's Weapons of Mass Destruction: Repression\, Starvation\, and Nukes
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/north-koreas-weapons-of-mass-destruction-repression-starvation-and-nukes/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180829T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180829T170000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132603Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132604Z
UID:712514-1535551200-1535562000@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:NKDB 2018 White Paper on North Korean Human Rights
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/nkdb-2018-white-paper-on-north-korean-human-rights/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180825T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180825T170000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132601Z
UID:712510-1535205600-1535216400@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:What the World Doesn't Know about being North Korean
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/what-the-world-doesnt-know-about-being-north-korean/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180803T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180803T120000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132601Z
UID:712509-1533292200-1533297600@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:The Politics of North Korean Human Rights Activism
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/the-politics-of-north-korean-human-rights-activism/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180731T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180731T193000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T125133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T125139Z
UID:712125-1533058200-1533065400@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:2018 HUFS International Summer Session - NORTH KOREAN HUMAN RIGHTS: DIPLOMACY\, DOCUMENTATION\, AND ADVOCACY
DESCRIPTION:Please click here to view the conference brochure of the 2018 HUFS International Summer Session entitled “NORTH KOREAN HUMAN RIGHTS: DIPLOMACY\, DOCUMENTATION\, AND ADVOCACY” to be held at HUFS on Tuesday\, July 31\, 2018 from 17:30 to 19:30. 
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/2018-hufs-international-summer-session-north-korean-human-rights-diplomacy-documentation-and-advocacy/
CATEGORIES:Events,HRNK Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.hrnk.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Screen-Shot-2018-07-25-at-8_40_54-PM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180724T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180724T210000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T125133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190411T115927Z
UID:712123-1532457000-1532466000@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Korea Club with Andrei Lankov
DESCRIPTION:  \n  Korea Club with Andrei Lankov TUESDAY  |  July 24\, 2018 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm\n   Kim Jong-un's Survival Strategy\, Why It Might Work   Guest Speaker:   Andrei Lankov Director of Korea Risk Group Professor at Kookmin University  Woo Lae Oak Korean Restaurant 8240 Leesburg Pike Vienna\, VA 22182\nDear Colleague: \nYou are invited to a special summer meeting of the Korea Club on Tuesday\, July 24\, 2018. The event will feature Dr. Andrei Lankov who will give a presentation entitled\, “Kim Jong-un’s Survival Strategy\, Why It Might Work.”   \n Andrei Lankov is a Russian scholar of Asia and a specialist in Korean studies. He completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at Leningrad State University in 1986 and 1989\, respectively; He also attended Pyongyang’s Kim Il-sung University in 1985. Following his graduate studies\, he taught Korean history and language at his alma mater\, and in 1992 went to South Korea for work; he moved to Australia in 1996 to take up a post at the Australian National University and moved back to Seoul to teach at Kookmin University in 2004. Dr. Lankov has a DPRK-themed Livejournal blog in Russian with occasional English posts\, where he documents aspects of life in North (and South) Korea\, together with his musings and links to his publications. He also writes columns for The Korea Times. Dr. Lankov is a Director of Korea Risk Group\, a specialist information and analysis firm committed to delivering qualified research and analysis on North Korea. \nPROGRAM DETAILS \nThe dinner will start at 7:00 pm\, followed by the speaker’s presentation and Q & A session. The program will conclude at 9:00 pm. The cost of the dinner is $25.00\, payable at the door by check\, cash or credit card. \nRSVP is required for this program. Seating is limited. To register for this program or for further questions\, please e-mail your confirmation to Sang Kim\, Director of Public Affairs\, at sk@keia.org. \nWOO LAE OAK RESTAURANT IN TYSONS CORNER \nThe evening program will be held at Woo Lae Oak Korean restaurant in Tysons Corner—see address above. The program will start at 6:30 pm with a cash bar\, set up inside the Korea Club conference room on the 1st floor of the restaurant. For more information on Woo Lae Oak\, please take a few minutes to visit the restaurant’s website: http://www.woolaeoak.com. \nFOR DRIVERS \nWoo Lae Oak is conveniently located in the heart of Tysons Corner. If you need assistance locating the restaurant\, please call the restaurant (703-827-7300). Ample free parking is available in the restaurant’s multi-story parking garage. \nFOR METRO RIDERS \nSilver Line stop at Greensboro Metro Station. The restaurant is located just south of Greensboro Metro Station. Upon arriving at Greensboro Metro Station\, please exit using the West Entrance Exit. For step-by-step directions\, please use http://wmata.com. \n         Korea Club Directors \n              Jim Kelman                            Greg Scarlatoiu                  Sang Kim\nMeridian International Center                HRNK                               KEI   \n                     (703) 568-6987                          (202) 499-7973                 (202) 464-1985\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRSVP NOW
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/korea-club-with-andrei-lankov/
CATEGORIES:Events,HRNK Events
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180531T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180531T183000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132600Z
UID:712508-1527759000-1527791400@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:2018 North Korean Human Rights International Conference:   Internationalization of the movement in the Korean peninsula and next
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/2018-north-korean-human-rights-international-conference-internationalization-of-the-movement-in-the-korean-peninsula-and-next/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180531T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180531T130000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132557Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132559Z
UID:712507-1527755400-1527771600@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Identifying and Mitigating the Risk of Forced Labor & Exploitation of North Korean Nationals in Your Supply Chain
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/identifying-and-mitigating-the-risk-of-forced-labor-exploitation-of-north-korean-nationals-in-your-supply-chain-2/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180529T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180529T153000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T125133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T125138Z
UID:712122-1527602400-1527607800@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:An Investigation into the Human Rights Situation in North Korea's Political Prison Camps: Testimonies of Detainee Families
DESCRIPTION:The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) and No Chain cordially invite you to: ​​ An Investigation into the Human Rights Situation in North Korea's Political Prison Camps: Testimonies of Detainee Families Tuesday\, May 29\, 2018 ​2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.\nNational Press Club Holeman Lounge 529 14th Street\, NW\, 13th Floor Washington\, DC 20045 \nAGENDA \n Presenter: \n JUNG GWANG-IL Founder and President\, No Chain \n Discussants: \nOLIVIA ENOS Policy Analyst\, The Heritage Foundation \nROSA PARK Director of Programs and Editor\, HRNK \n Moderator:  \n GREG SCARLATOIU Executive Director\, HRNK \nInterpreter:  \n HUIWON YUN HRNK \n Q&A \n Closing Remarks \n The event will be on the record.  \n​Please email Rosa Park\, HRNK Director of Programs\, at rosapark@hrnk.org to RSVP. 
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/an-investigation-into-the-human-rights-situation-in-north-koreas-political-prison-camps-testimonies-of-detainee-families/
CATEGORIES:Events,HRNK Events
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180510T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180510T130000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132557Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132558Z
UID:712506-1525941000-1525957200@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Identifying and Mitigating the Risk of Forced Labor & Exploitation of North Korean Nationals in Your Supply Chain
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/identifying-and-mitigating-the-risk-of-forced-labor-exploitation-of-north-korean-nationals-in-your-supply-chain/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180428T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180505T200000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132557Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132558Z
UID:712505-1524906000-1525550400@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:15TH NORTH KOREA FREEDOM WEEK 2018 | 제 15 회 북한자유주간 2018
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/15th-north-korea-freedom-week-2018-%ec%a0%9c-15-%ed%9a%8c-%eb%b6%81%ed%95%9c%ec%9e%90%ec%9c%a0%ec%a3%bc%ea%b0%84-2018/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180411T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180411T163000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132557Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132557Z
UID:712503-1523458800-1523464200@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Study Group on North Korean Human Rights - "From Pyongyang to Pyongchang and Back: Engagement\, Security\, and Human Rights"
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/study-group-on-north-korean-human-rights-from-pyongyang-to-pyongchang-and-back-engagement-security-and-human-rights/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180407T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180407T210000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132557Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132557Z
UID:712504-1523124000-1523134800@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Song Byeok: Longing for Freedom - Opening Reception
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/song-byeok-longing-for-freedom-opening-reception/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180405T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180405T163000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132556Z
UID:712502-1522940400-1522945800@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Study Group on North Korean Human Rights - "My Life in North Korea: An Account by Joseph Kim"
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/study-group-on-north-korean-human-rights-my-life-in-north-korea-an-account-by-joseph-kim/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180329T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180329T163000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132555Z
UID:712501-1522335600-1522341000@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Study Group on North Korean Human Rights - "North Korean Human Rights: Where are we Now?"
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/study-group-on-north-korean-human-rights-north-korean-human-rights-where-are-we-now/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180312T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180312T180000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132555Z
UID:712500-1520872200-1520877600@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Destitution in Rural DPRK and China
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/destitution-in-rural-dprk-and-china/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180310T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180310T210000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132554Z
UID:712499-1520708400-1520715600@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Main Street Meets North Korea
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/main-street-meets-north-korea/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180227T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180227T130000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132554Z
UID:712498-1519732800-1519736400@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Lunch & Learn: Human Rights in North Korea
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/lunch-learn-human-rights-in-north-korea/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180224T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180224T163000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132552Z
UID:712496-1519480800-1519489800@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:My 'Little Big' Heroes: TNKR English Speech Contest #7
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/my-little-big-heroes-tnkr-english-speech-contest-7/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180221T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180221T210000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132553Z
UID:712497-1519237800-1519246800@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Korea Club with Ambassador Robert Joseph
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/korea-club-with-ambassador-robert-joseph-2/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180221T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180221T210000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T125133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T125133Z
UID:712120-1519237800-1519246800@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Korea Club with Ambassador Robert Joseph
DESCRIPTION:Korea Club  WEDNESDAY |  February 21\, 2018 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm\n The Nexus of Human Rights and Nuclear Weapons in North Korea  Guest Speaker:   Ambassador Robert Joseph Senior Scholar\, National Institute for Public Policy Former Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security   Woo Lae Oak Korean Restaurant 8240 Leesburg Pike Vienna\, VA 22182\n  \nDear Colleague: \nYou are invited to attend a meeting of the Korea Club on Wednesday\, February 21\, 2018. The event will feature Ambassador Robert Joseph\, who will give a presentation entitled\, “The Nexus of Human Rights and Nuclear Weapons in North Korea.“ \n \nAmbassador Robert Joseph is a Senior Scholar at the National Institute for Public Policy. Until March 2007\, Ambassador Joseph was Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. In this capacity\, he reported directly to the Secretary of State as the principal State Department officer for non- and counterproliferation matters\, arms control\, arms transfers\, regional security and defense relations\, and security assistance. His management responsibilities included oversight of three major bureaus headed by Assistant Secretaries of State: International Security and Nonproliferation; Political and Military Affairs; and Verification\, Compliance and Implementation.  \n Previously\, from January 2001 through November 2004\, Dr. Joseph served on the National Security Council as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Proliferation Strategy\, Counterproliferation and Homeland Defense. In this capacity\, he was responsible\, under the supervision of the National Security Advisor\, for developing and coordinating U.S. policies and strategies for preventing\, deterring and defending against threats to the United States from weapons of mass destruction. Earlier\, he was Principal Deputy Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Forces and Arms Control. \n Dr. Joseph was also the founder and Director of the Center for Counterproliferation Research at the National Defense University in Washington\, D.C.  His awards include the National Defense University President’s Award for Individual Achievement and the National Nuclear Security Administration Gold Medal for Distinguished Service. He also received the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service (and Bronze Palm)\, and multiple Senior Executive Service Meritorious Achievements citations. In 2006\, he was the recipient of the annual Ronald Reagan award for his contributions to U.S. missile defense. \n PROGRAM DETAILS \nThe reception will begin at 6:30 pm\, followed by dinner at 7:00 pm\, and the speaker’s presentation and Q & A session. The program will conclude at 9:00 pm. The cost of the dinner is $25.00\, payable at the door by either check or cash. \nRSVP is required for this program. Seating is limited. To register for this program or for further questions\, please e-mail your confirmation to Sang Kim\, Director of Public Affairs\, at sk@keia.org. \n WOO LAE OAK RESTAURANT IN TYSONS CORNER \nThe evening program will be held at Woo Lae Oak Korean restaurant in Tysons Corner—see address above. The program will start at 6:30 pm with a cash bar\, set up inside the Korea Club conference room on the 1st floor of the restaurant. For more information on Woo Lae Oak\, please take a few minutes to visit the restaurant’s website:  http://www.woolaeoak.com. \n FOR DRIVERS \nWoo Lae Oak is conveniently located in the heart of Tysons Corner. If you need assistance locating the restaurant\, please call the restaurant (703-827-7300). Ample free parking is available in the restaurant’s multi-story parking garage. \n FOR METRO RIDERS \nSilver Line stop at Greensboro Metro Station. The restaurant is located just south of Greensboro Metro Station. Upon arriving at Greensboro Metro Station\, please exit using the West Entrance Exit. For step-by-step directions\, please use  http://wmata.com.
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/korea-club-with-ambassador-robert-joseph/
CATEGORIES:Events,HRNK Events
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180220T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180220T213000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132552Z
UID:712495-1519151400-1519162200@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Cooking with North Korean Refugees
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/cooking-with-north-korean-refugees/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180123T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180123T210000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132551Z
UID:712494-1516732200-1516741200@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Korea Club with Aloysius M. O'Neill
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/korea-club-with-aloysius-m-oneill-2/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180123T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180123T210000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T125130Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T125132Z
UID:712119-1516732200-1516741200@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Korea Club with Aloysius M. O'Neill
DESCRIPTION:U.S. Policy Toward North and South Korea: Dealing with “One Country\, Two Planets” \n \nGuest Speaker:  \nAloysius M. O'Neill Retired U.S. Foreign Service Officer\n Woo Lae Oak Korean Restaurant 8240 Leesburg Pike Vienna\, VA 22182 \n  \nDear Colleague: \nYou are invited to attend a meeting of the Korea Club on Tuesday\, January 23\, 2018.The event will feature Aloysius M. O'Neill\, who will give a presentation entitled\, “U.S. Policy Toward North and South Korea: Dealing with “One Country\, Two Planets.” \n  \nAloysius M. O’Neill worked for many years on U.S. relations with the Republic of Korea and to a lesser extent with the DPRK.  As a Foreign Service Officer\, he served twice in the American Embassy in Seoul\, first from 1977 to 1979 and again from 1988 to 1992.  In the latter period\, he worked closely with Korean diplomatic colleagues on the ROK’s expanding relations with the DPRK’s allies under Nordpolitik.   As a political officer in Tokyo from 1982 to 1984\, he analyzed Japan’s Asia policy during a period that included the Soviet shoot-down of Korean Air 007 and the Rangoon bombing – the North Korean attempt to assassinate President Chun Doo-hwan. Mr. O’Neill was serving in the American embassy in Rangoon when the North Koreans destroyed Korean Air 858 in 1987.  As the U.S. consul general in Okinawa from 1994 to 1997\, Mr. O’Neill was deeply engaged in the U.S. bases issue.  The US-Japan alliance and the bases in Okinawa are crucial to the U.S. ability to deter the DPRK and if deterrence fails\, to defeat the North.  After the Foreign Service\, he was the senior policy advisor at the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) from 2001 to 2003\, during which time he made five visits to the DPRK.  From 2004 to 2014\, Mr. O'Neill was a consultant in the Office of Korean Affairs at the State Department\, working on U.S. relations with both the ROK and the DPRK. \n PROGRAM DETAILS \nThe reception will begin at 6:30 pm\, followed by dinner at 7:00 pm\, and the speaker’s presentation and Q & A session. The program will conclude at 9:00 pm. The cost of the dinner is $25.00\, payable at the door by either check or cash. \nRSVP is required for this program. Seating is limited. To register for this program or for further questions\, please e-mail your confirmation to Sang Kim\, Director of Public Affairs\, at sk@keia.org. \n WOO LAE OAK RESTAURANT IN TYSONS CORNER \nThe evening program will be held at Woo Lae Oak Korean restaurant in Tysons Corner—see address above. The program will start at 6:30 pm with a cash bar\, set up inside the Korea Club conference room on the 1st floor of the restaurant. For more information on Woo Lae Oak\, please take a few minutes to visit the restaurant’s website:  http://www.woolaeoak.com. \n FOR DRIVERS \nWoo Lae Oak is conveniently located in the heart of Tysons Corner. If you need assistance locating the restaurant\, please call the restaurant (703-827-7300). Ample free parking is available in the restaurant’s multi-story parking garage. \n FOR METRO RIDERS \nSilver Line stop at Greensboro Metro Station. The restaurant is located just south of Greensboro Metro Station. Upon arriving at Greensboro Metro Station\, please exit using the West Entrance Exit. For step-by-step directions\, please use  http://wmata.com. \n  \n  \n  \n  
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/korea-club-with-aloysius-m-oneill/
CATEGORIES:Events,HRNK Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20171212T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20171212T210000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T132548Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T132549Z
UID:712492-1513103400-1513112400@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Korea Club with Gen. Wallace
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/korea-club-with-gen-wallace-2/
CATEGORIES:Events,North Korean Human Rights Events Calendar
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20171212T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20171212T210000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T125130Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T125131Z
UID:712117-1513103400-1513112400@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Korea Club with Gen. Wallace
DESCRIPTION:North Korea: The Land of Lousy Options \nGuest Speaker:  \nGen. Wallace “Chip” Gregson (USMC\, Ret) Senior Advisor\, Avascent Global Advisors Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs \n Woo Lae Oak Korean Restaurant 8240 Leesburg Pike Vienna\, VA 22182   \nDear Colleague: \nYou are invited to attend a meeting of the Korea Club on Tuesday\, December 12\, 2017. The event will feature Gen. Wallace “Chip” Gregson\, who will give a presentation entitled\, “North Korea: The Land of Lousy Options.” \n​Lieutenant General Wallace “Chip” Gregson (USMC\, Ret.) is the Senior Advisor at Avascent International. He most recently served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense\, Asian and Pacific Security Affairs. Previously\, he served as Chief Operating Officer for the United States Olympic Committee as an independent consultant before entering Government in 2009. In Japan\, he was Director of Asia-Pacific Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 1998 to 2000. \nFrom 2003 to 2005\, he was Commanding General of the Marine Corps Forces Pacific and Marine Corps Forces Central Command\, where he led and managed over 70\,000 Marines and Sailors in the Middle East\, East Africa\, Asia\, and the United States. From 2001 to 2003\, he served as Commanding General of the III Marine Expeditionary Force in Japan\, where he was awarded the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun\, the Gold and Silver Star; the Korean Order of National Security Merit\, Gukseon Medal; and the Order of Resplendent Banner from the Republic of China. \nPlease note: THIS EVENT IS ON-THE-RECORD \n PROGRAM DETAILS \nThe reception will begin at 6:30 pm\, followed by dinner at 7:00 pm\, and the speaker’s presentation and Q & A session. The program will conclude at 9:00 pm. The cost of the dinner is $25.00\, payable at the door by either check or cash. \nRSVP is required for this program. Seating is limited. To register for this program or for further questions\, please e-mail Sang Kim\, Director of Public Affairs\, at sk@keia.org. \n WOO LAE OAK RESTAURANT IN TYSONS CORNER \nThe evening program will be held at Woo Lae Oak Korean restaurant in Tysons Corner—see address above. The program will start at 6:30 pm with a cash bar\, set up inside the Korea Club conference room on the 1st floor of the restaurant. For more information on Woo Lae Oak\, please take a few minutes to visit the restaurant’s website:  http://www.woolaeoak.com. \n FOR DRIVERS \nWoo Lae Oak is conveniently located in the heart of Tysons Corner. If you need assistance locating the restaurant\, please call the restaurant (703-827-7300). Ample free parking is available in the restaurant’s multi-story parking garage. \n FOR METRO RIDERS \nSilver Line stop at Greensboro Metro Station. The restaurant is located just south of Greensboro Metro Station. Upon arriving at Greensboro Metro Station\, please exit using the West Entrance Exit. For step-by-step directions\, please use  http://wmata.com.
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/korea-club-with-gen-wallace/
CATEGORIES:Events,HRNK Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20171212T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20171212T104500
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20190107T125130Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190107T125131Z
UID:712118-1513071000-1513075500@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:REPORT FINDINGS: Inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity in North Korean Political Prisons
DESCRIPTION:The War Crimes Committee of the International Bar Association invites you to the launch of a Report on the findings of a nearly two-year Inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity in North Korean Political Prisons.  The Inquiry Report finds reasonable grounds to conclude that Kim Jong-un and members of his regime have committed ten of the eleven crimes against humanity enumerated in the Rome Statute\, the treaty that created the International Criminal Court (ICC).  The event will be held at the National Press Club from 9:30-10:45am on Tuesday\, December 12.  Under the auspices of the War Crimes Committee\, three internationally renowned judges – Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay (Chair)\, Thomas Buergenthal and Mark Harmon – led the Inquiry and authored the Report.  Judge Navi Pillay will deliver keynote remarks at the December 12 event.  Among other things\, Judge Pillay has served as a judge on the International Criminal Court\, as President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda\, and as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008-2014.  Greg Kehoe of the IBA's War Crimes Committee also will deliver remarks.  Among other things\, Mr. Kehoe\, a former federal prosecutor\, led the team of lawyers and investigators that advised the Iraqi Special Tribunal\, an ad hoc court formed to prosecute Saddam Hussein and other regime officials.  The Report contains nine (9) Calls for Action\, including a call for the UN to provide the International Criminal Court or a special international tribunal with jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute those responsible for committing crimes against humanity in North Korea's political prisons\, known as kwanliso .  The Report also calls on North Korea to dismantle its gulag system and release an estimated 80\,000-130\,000 political prisoners.  (Note: this figure includes scores of children\, spouses\, parents\, etc.\, who have been imprisoned pursuant to North Korea's longstanding policy of eliminating the “seed” of three generations of “class enemies.”) Further\, it calls for targeted sanctions against persons responsible for past or ongoing crimes against humanity in North Korea's political prisons\, as well as a ban on the importation of products made with materials or labor from North Korea's penal system.  Relying on satellite imagery and the testimony of numerous defectors – including North Korea's highest ranking defector in recent years\, Thae Yong-ho – the Report debunks North Korea's ongoing denial of the very existence of its political prisons\, which Amnesty International describes as “very possibly home to some of the most appalling torture in the world.”  Evidence of crimes presented to the Inquiry included: \n\nprisoners tortured and killed on account of their religious affiliation\, with officials instructed “to wipe out the seed of [Christian] reactionaries”\na prisoner's newborn baby being fed to guard dogs and killed\nan abortion induced by three men standing on a wooden plank placed on a pregnant prisoner's stomach\na female prisoner losing consciousness after enduring a beating designed to trigger premature labor\, with prison officials killing her baby before she could regain consciousness\nthe deaths of countless prisoners as a result of deliberate starvation\, malnutrition and overwork\, including 16-hour shifts in coal mines for minors and adults alike\nroutine public executions carried out in front of prisoners of all ages\, including young children\n\nFinally\, Hogan Lovells\, an international law firm that previously has worked to raise awareness of human rights abuses in North Korea\, provided very significant pro bono assistance to the Inquiry.  Thank you for giving this your consideration. We hope to see you at the National Press Club on December 12th. \n  \nRSVP to this event by e-mailing: sosseh.prom@int-bar.org
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/report-findings-inquiry-on-crimes-against-humanity-in-north-korean-political-prisons/
CATEGORIES:Events,HRNK Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20171212T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180112T000000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20230109T195016Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230522T195213Z
UID:725922-1513036800-1515715200@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Protecting North Korean Refugees: Statement by Greg Scarlatoiu\, HRNK Executive Director
DESCRIPTION:“PROTECTING NORTH KOREAN REFUGEES”\nHouse Foreign Affairs Committee\nSubcommittee on Africa\, Global Health\, Global Human Rights\, and International Organizations\n\nStatement of Greg Scarlatoiu\, Executive Director\, Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK)\, on “Protecting North Korean Refugees” at the Hearing of the Subcommittee on Africa\, Global Health\, Global Human Rights\, and International Organizations\, December 12\, 2017\nGood afternoon\, Chairman Smith\, Ranking Member Bass\, and members of the Subcommittee. Thank you for the invitation to testify before you today. It is a true honor and a privilege.\n\nMy name is Greg Scarlatoiu. I am the executive director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK). We are a nonpartisan research organization headquartered in Washington\, DC that conducts original research on North Korean human rights issues. Over the last 16 years\, we have published over 30 reports available at HRNK.ORG\, documenting for the world the horrifying truth about the extent of human rights abuses in North Korea. Our work has played a central role in assisting and informing the efforts of the US State Department\, the UN Commission of Inquiry\, and numerous other stakeholders who care passionately about the rights of people in North Korea. Most recently\, the report submitted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to the UN General Assembly on August 28th quoted one of HRNK’s publications.\n\nOn behalf of HRNK\, thank you for your time and interest in the plight of North Korean refugees\, an ongoing human rights issue and crisis perpetuated by both North Korea and China today. The protection of North Korean refugees relates to fundamental human rights\, human dignity\, and state obligations under international law.\n\nOn the current situation of North Korean refugees in China\n\nIn July 2017\, a North Korean refugee family of five\, on their way to the Republic of Korea\, committed suicide while in Chinese custody awaiting forcible repatriation to North Korea. More recently in November\, reports by BBC Korea stated that China forcibly returned a group of ten refugees to North Korea\, including a mother and her four-year-old son. This information comes from a Mr. Lee\, the husband and father of these two victims\, currently hiding in China.\n\nFor the past few years\, among the interns trained at HRNK we have also worked with former North Korean refugees\, currently holding South Korean citizenship. Some of these young bright escapees explained their experiences living on the run in China. One intern\, when asked how she had learned Chinese\, clarified that prior to her escape to South Korea\, she had grown up in secret\, hidden behind closed doors in China. As she was undocumented and feared the Chinese government would arrest her and forcibly return her to North Korea\, her Chinese protectors brought her books to help her learn and pass the time.\n\nChina does not uphold its obligations under international law because it very rarely allows North Korean refugees access to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)\, instead only permitting the UNHCR an office in Beijing\, far from the border. As evidenced by their forcible repatriation\, China denies many North Koreans the ability to apply for asylum or have safe passage to the Republic of Korea or other countries. China claims that North Koreans in need of protection are illegal economic migrants. But in reality\, they are victims fleeing persecution or those who face a well-founded fear of persecution if forcibly returned to North Korea.\n\nTime after time\, we hear from North Korean refugees that when they were repatriated by China they faced imprisonment\, torture\, and various forms of sexual violence. Especially if the interrogators suspect that the repatriated refugees came across South Korean nationals or Christian missionaries while in China\, the punishment is sure to be harsh. Determined to escape the oppression and chronic human insecurity of North Korea\, some attempt to escape again\, even after detention and imprisonment. Some are successful and manage to tell the stories of their harrowing escape to the outside world. Through the voices of escapees who find their way to freedom in South Korea and other countries and based on the gender ratio of former North Koreans resettled in South Korea\, we know that up to eighty percent of North Korean refugees in China are women. In the absence of any semblance of protection\, they fall victim to human traffickers and other criminals. Many of those forced into sexual bondage\, under the guise of “marriage” with Chinese men in run-down rural areas\, are often abused by the would-be “spouse” and the entire family. Their children’s human security is beyond precarious. China denies North Korean children the right to education\, health\, and personal security\, as well as liberty\, when they are detained awaiting forcible repatriation.\n\nOn the UN Commission of Inquiry\n\nIn 2014\, the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea (UN COI) found that North Koreans forcibly repatriated by China systematically endure persecution\, torture while being interrogated about their activities abroad\, sexual violence\, and imprisonment in North Korea’s inhuman detention system. Persons found to have had contact with the Republic of Korea or Christian churches may be forcibly disappeared into political prison camps\, imprisoned in forced labor camps\, or summarily executed.\n\nThe UN COI also found that North Koreans who try to flee their country and those in detention are among the primary targets of a systematic and widespread attack by North Korea\, making them the most vulnerable and in need of protection. Not only are North Koreans targeted for escaping their totalitarian state\, but then they are targeted by the Chinese government\, and ultimately victimized again once repatriated to North Korea and imprisoned. It truly is a vicious cycle of political oppression and violence perpetrated against countless innocents.\n\nDespite the UN COI’s findings and despite the fact that North Koreans are entitled to international protection as refugees fleeing persecution or refugees sur place\, “China pursues a rigorous policy of forcibly repatriating citizens of [North Korea] who cross the border illegally” with the view that these persons are “illegal economic migrants.”\n\nFurthermore\, China received a warning by the UN COI in 2014 that its policy of forcibly repatriating North Korean refugees could potentially amount to aiding and abetting North Korean perpetrators of crimes against humanity. The UN COI urged China to caution relevant officials that conduct could amount to the aiding and abetting of crimes against humanity where repatriations and information exchanges are specifically directed toward or have the purpose of facilitating the commission of crimes against humanity in North Korea.\n\nWithout question\, China has been put on notice that its policies\, practices\, and support for North Korea are unacceptable—yet\, at the fourth annual UN Security Council meeting on human rights abuses in North Korea held yesterday\, China called for a procedural vote to stop the public meeting. This effort failed\, but China persists in its efforts to support the Kim regime\, as evidenced by its forcible repatriation of North Korean refugees.\n\nOn human trafficking\n\nUp to ninety percent of North Korean women and girls in China fall prey to traffickers in China who sell them into sexual slavery\, either in forced marriages or prostitution\, to their shock and horror. Countless North Korean women are victimized in this manner because they are vulnerable as they try to escape the brutal conditions of their home country. In China\, the women and girls are fodder for often-rural men looking for wives. They may have arrived in China with young children too\, only to be cruelly separated by human traffickers. The cycle of violence and oppression once again continues as these women and girls are held against their will or are coerced into submission out of fear that the Chinese family will report them to authorities. Additionally\, women and girls impregnated by Chinese men are further victimized when the Chinese government does not recognize the children they bear as legal residents otherwise entitled to basic rights to education and other public services.\n\nOn prison camps\n\nA core HRNK objective is to completely\, verifiably\, and irreversibly dismantle North Korea’s vast system of unlawful imprisonment\, where up to 120\,000 men\, women\, and children are detained under abysmal circumstances\, forced to work and die in prison camps because of their perceived lack of loyalty to the Kim family. As such\, HRNK is aware of six operational political prison camps and the existence of over twenty potential labor camps inside North Korea\, recently documented in our October 2017 report The Parallel Gulag.\n\nOur 2015 report\, The Hidden Gulag IV: Gender Repression and Prison Disappearances\, documents the particular vulnerabilities of North Korean women jailed in a network of “political prison camps” (kwan-li-so) and “labor camps” (kyo-hwa-so). Increasingly\, these facilities house women who have attempted to flee the country\, and here\, rates of mortality\, malnutrition\, forced labor\, and exploitation are high. As our Co-Chair Emeritus Roberta Cohen\, a distinguished human rights and displaced persons expert noted\, “Women in particular are fleeing North Korea in ever greater numbers. When they are apprehended\, they are subjected to deliberate starvation\, persecution\, and punishment. Their situation cries out for international attention.”\n\nIn this report\, we also found evidence that an additional section of Camp 12 at Jongo-ri\, North Hamgyong Province\, was built to imprison the influx of women arrested and forcibly repatriated by China. Our interviews with former prisoners at this camp indicate that upwards of one thousand women are enslaved here. Eighty percent\, eight hundred of them\, are forcibly repatriated refugees. According to our witnesses\, former Camp 12 prisoners themselves\, so many women prisoners were brought to the camp that a new building annex was constructed to house them. We were able to confirm the presence of the new construction through satellite imagery acquisition and analysis. In the aftermath of Typhoon Lionrock in August-September 2016\, Camp 12 was flooded\, as confirmed by satellite imagery we acquired and analyzed. The humanitarian impact of that natural catastrophe on the human security of Camp 12 inmates was likely very dire\, as prisoners represent one of the most vulnerable segments of North Korea’s population.\n\nIn her written testimony submitted after this hearing\, HRNK Co-chair Emeritus Roberta Cohen will raise\, among other points\, the treatment of forcibly repatriated North Koreans and the development of a potential UN role for protecting them. This is the topic of an ongoing project run by HRNK in collaboration with our partner organization The Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights (HRNK).\n\nOn China’s non-compliance with international conventions\n\nNorth Koreans fleeing political persecution–based on North Korea’s discriminatory social class system known as songbun–are refugees as defined in the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. North Koreans with a well-founded fear of persecution upon their forcible return to North Korea by China are refugees sur place and must be given protection under China’s international obligations\, including the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees.\n\nChina’s forcible repatriation of North Korean refugees violates its obligation to uphold the principle of non-refoulement under the Refugee Convention. Furthermore\, China violates article 3 of the Torture Convention\, which states\, “No State Party shall expel\, return (‘refouler’) or extradite a person to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture.”\n\nOn US and global efforts to protect refugees and surge information\n\nNotwithstanding high-level advocacy\, China has forcibly repatriated tens of thousands of North Koreans. However\, over 30\,000 North Korean refugees now reside in over 20 nations\, with the vast majority of them\, 31\,000 currently living in the Republic of Korea. While the United States Refugee Admissions Program remains the largest in the world\, fewer than 220 refugees from North Korea have resettled since the enactment of the North Korea Human Rights Act of 2004.\n\nAs part of efforts to provide information on North Korea’s human rights abuses\, HRNK wrote and published a series of Wikipedia contributions on human rights in North Korea\, including in Chinese. China is perhaps the only country in the world with substantial leverage on the Kim regime\, accounting for over 80% of North Korea’s foreign trade. As a result\, the awareness and support of the Chinese people is now more imperative than ever\, although the degree to which the public can actually influence foreign policy in China is highly debatable\, to say the least. The Wikipedia pages created by HRNK are available in English\, Korean\, and Chinese.\n\nOn United States policy\n\nPainfully aware of ongoing concerns and echoing HRNK’s previous recommendations submitted together with then HRNK Board Co-Chair Roberta Cohen before a March 5\, 2012 hearing of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China\, I respectfully recommend the following:\nFirst\, the United States should urge China to immediately halt its forcible repatriation of North Korean refugees\, and thus fulfill its obligations pursuant to the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees\, the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees\, the Torture Convention\, and the 1995 Agreement on the Upgrading of the UNHCR Mission in the People’s Republic of China.\nSecond\, the United States should call upon China to allow the UNHCR unimpeded access to North Koreans inside China to determine whether they are refugees and whether they require assistance.\nThird\, the United States should call upon China to adopt legislation incorporating its obligations under the Refugee Convention\, the Convention against Torture\, and other international human rights agreements and to bring its existing laws into line with internationally agreed upon principles. It should be expected to declare and uphold a moratorium on deportations of North Koreans until its laws and practices are brought into line with international standards.\nFourth\, the United States should call upon China to recognize the legal status of North Korean women who marry or have children with Chinese citizens and ensure that all such children are granted resident status and access to education and other public services in accordance with both Chinese law and international standards.\nFifth\, in the absence of a Chinese response\, the issue should be brought before international refugee and human rights fora. UNHCR’s Executive Committee as well as the UN Human Rights Council and General Assembly of the United Nations should all be expected to call on China by name to carry out its obligations under refugee and human rights law and enact legislation to codify these obligations so that North Koreans will not be forcibly repatriated while facing a credible fear of persecution.\nSixth\, the United States should promote a multilateral approach to the problem of North Koreans leaving their country. Their exodus affects more than China. This critical issue concerns our South Korean allies most notably\, as South Korea already houses 31\,000 North Korean escapees\, and its Constitution offers citizenship to North Koreans. Together with UNHCR\, a multilateral approach should be designed that finds solutions for North Koreans based on principles of non-refoulement and human rights and humanitarian protection. Building on the precedent of other refugee populations\, international burden sharing should be developed to protect North Koreans seeking to escape the tyranny of the Kim regime.\nSeventh\, following the passage of the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017\, which mandates the position of the Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights\, I respectfully urge the US Congress to encourage the prompt appointment of a qualified candidate. I share in the belief that the large number of special envoys in the State Department should be greatly reduced. I strongly believe\, however\, that this particular issue merits the full-time\, high-profile focus across various agencies that the Special Envoy has so effectively brought and would continue to bring.\n\nEighth\, additional funds should be appropriated for clandestine information flow into North Korea\, for non-governmental organizations working to improve human rights in North Korea\, and for the resettlement of North Korean refugees in the United States.\n\nThe most critical challenge our country faces today is the nuclear and ballistic missile threat posed by the regime of Kim Jong-un. Grateful for the Subcommittee’s unabated determination to protect North Korean refugees in China\, I respectfully urge you to continue to consider the vital importance of formulating and adopting a robust human rights policy\, including a North Korean refugee protection policy\, that can be integrated into US security policy toward both China and North Korea’s Kim regime.\n\nHRNK resources\n\nFour HRNK publications address the precarious plight of North Koreans in China and the cruel and inhumane practice of forcibly sending them back to one of the world’s most oppressive regimes.\n·      The first\, The North Korean Refugee Crisis: Human Rights and International Response (2006)\, edited by Stephan Haggard and Marcus Noland\, establishes that most if not all North Koreans in China merit a prima facie claim to refugee or refugee sur place status. This report is available at: https://www.hrnk.org/uploads/pdfs/The_North_Korean_Refugee_Crisis.pdf.\n·      The second\, Lives for Sale: Personal Accounts of Women Fleeing North Korea to China (2010)\, calls upon China to set up a screening process with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to determine the status of North Koreans and ensure they are not forcibly returned. This report is available at: https://www.hrnk.org/uploads/pdfs/Lives_for_Sale.pdf.\n·      The third\, Hidden Gulag Second Edition by David Hawk (2012)\, presents the harrowing testimony of scores of North Koreans severely punished after being returned to North Korea. This report is available at: https://www.hrnk.org/uploads/pdfs/HRNK_HiddenGulag2_Web_5-18.pdf.\n·      The fourth\, Gender Repression and Hidden Gulag IV: Gender Repression and Prisoner Disappearances by David Hawk (2015) finds that North Korean women\, desperate to ensure their families’ survival after catastrophic famine in the 1990s—are excessively victimized and detention facilities for women have notably expanded. This report\, as well as satellite imagery that verifies the additional structure\, are available here: https://www.hrnk.org/uploads/pdfs/Hawk_HiddenGulag4_FINAL.pdf and https://www.hrnk.org/uploads/pdfs/ASA_HRNK_Camp12_201608_v10_LR.pdf.\n\nIn October 2017\, HRNK published The Parallel Gulag: North Korea’s “An-jeon-bu” Prisons by David Hawk with Amanda Mortwedt Oh. The Honorable Michael Kirby\, former Chair of the UN COI\, states that Parallel Gulag “updates the record contained in the COI report” and “shows that North Korea’s system of political oppression remains in place as an affront to the conscience of humanity.” The report is available at: https://www.hrnk.org/uploads/pdfs/Hawk_The_Parallel_Gulag_Web.pdf with picture files available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/159228385@N04/sets/72157661876737398/.\n\nPrior Congressional testimony to the CECC on North Korean refugees by Roberta Cohen and Greg Scarlatoiu is available at: https://www.hrnk.org/events/congressional-hearings-view.php?id=7 and https://www.hrnk.org/events/congressional-hearings-view.php?id=1.\n\nThank you for your kind consideration.\n\nGreg Scarlatoiu\nExecutive Director\nCommittee for Human Rights in North Korea
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/protecting-north-korean-refugees-statement-by-greg-scarlatoiu-hrnk-executive-director/
LOCATION:Rayburn\, United States
CATEGORIES:Congressional Hearings
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20171212T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20171212T000000
DTSTAMP:20260409T104151
CREATED:20230109T193708Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230109T194321Z
UID:725916-1513036800-1513036800@www.hrnk.org
SUMMARY:Protecting North Korean Refugees: Written Statement by Roberta Cohen\, HRNK Co-Chair Emeritus
DESCRIPTION:“PROTECTING NORTH KOREAN REFUGEES”\nHouse Foreign Affairs Committee\nSubcommittee on Africa\, Global Health\, Global Human Rights\, and International Organizations\nWRITTEN STATEMENT OF ROBERTA COHEN\, CO-CHAIR EMERITUS\, COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN NORTH KOREA (HRNK) ON “PROTECTING NORTH KOREAN REFUGEES” AT THE HEARING OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON AFRICA\, GLOBAL HEALTH\, GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS\, AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS\, DECEMBER 12\, 2017\nMy appreciation to Congressman Christopher Smith and Ranking Member Karen Bass for holding this hearing to maintain a spotlight on North Korean refugees and their need for international protection. The world community’s preoccupation with massive movements of people fleeing war-torn countries has often overlooked the plight of smaller groups of refugees in desperate straits. The North Korean case is one such situation that should warrant international attention because of the extraordinary cruelty to which the asylum seekers and refugees are subjected. Unlike most governments\, North Korea has made it a criminal offense to leave its country without permission\, thereby preventing its citizens from exercising their internationally recognized right to seek asylum and become a refugee. Second\, those who do try to escape face increasing obstacles — electrified fences\, enhanced border patrols\, exorbitant bribes\, and traffickers. Only 1\,418 managed to reach South Korea in 2016. Third\, if caught and returned\, North Korean refugees are subject to systematic and brutal punishment\, which the United Nations Commission of Inquiry (COI) has found to constitute crimes against humanity.[1]  Fourth\, neighboring China collaborates with the DPRK in arresting and turning back North Koreans despite the abusive treatment they routinely suffer at the hands of North Korea’s security forces.[2]\n\nIn his 2017 report to the UN General Assembly\, the Special Rapporteur on human rights in the DPRK\, Tomas Ojea Quintana\, drew attention to the “deplorable conditions” in the holding centers near the border with China where repatriated North Koreans are confined before being sent off to reeducation or other camps for extended punishment. Women constitute the majority of those who flee and of those returned and are “the target of violent practices.”[3]During interrogation and detention\, they are subject to beatings\, torture\, and sexual and gender-based violence. Those found to be pregnant are reported to have their pregnancy terminated by force\, but “the shame and secrecy attached to this practice make precise statistics on cases of forced abortion difficult to collect.”[4] When placed in reeducation through labor camps and other prison facilities\, forcibly repatriated North Koreans are deliberately denied adequate food and medical attention\, and are subject to forced labor and sexually abusive treatment.\n\nTo North Korea\, those who leave without permission are criminal offenders\, even traitors to the Kim regime. To United Nations human rights bodies\, North Koreans who leave illegally are potential refugees. They flee persecution as well as the socioeconomic deprivation emanating from the songbun system of social and political classification to which the government subjects them. But even if they were not refugees when they left North Korea\, they become so (that is\, refugees sur place) because of the well-founded fear of persecution and punishment they face upon return. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 2017 called on North Korea to decriminalize illegal border crossing\, and because of the high number of women forcibly repatriated\, to  ensure that the women “are not subjected to invasive body searches\, sexual violence and forced abortions\, and that their rights to life and to a fair trial are respected.”[5] It further called upon North Korea to allow international organizations “access to all women’s detention facilities.”[6]\n\nUN bodies have also sent warnings to China\, which the UN COI found to be enabling North Korea’s crimes. A letter signed by COI Chair\, Justice Michael Kirby\, and appended to its 400-page report\, warned Chinese officials that they could be found to be “aiding and abetting crimes against humanity” by sharing information with North Korea’s security bodies and turning back North Koreans to conditions of danger.[7] It challenged China’s claims that North Koreans entering China illegally are economic migrants who must be deported\, and that those returned are not subject to punishment.\n\nOn occasion China has allowed North Koreans to proceed to South Korea\, but these cases are few and far between.[8]Over the years China has tolerated thousands of North Koreans residing illegally in its country\, some ‘married’ to Chinese men\, but the North Koreans have no rights\, are vulnerable to exploitation and bribes\, constantly fear deportation and may be expelled. The UN Committee against Torture (CAT) in 2016 described China as practicing a “rigorous policy of forcibly repatriating all nationals of the DPRK” on the grounds that they cross the border illegally for economic reasons.[9] It called on China to set up a refugee determination process for North Koreans and allow UNHCR access to border areas. The CAT noted that it had 100 testimonies showing that North Koreans forcibly returned were “systematically” subjected to torture and ill-treatment and recommended UNHCR monitoring of North Koreans forcibly returned to assure that they are not subject to torture.\n\nWhen UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited China in 2006 as UN High Commissioner for Refugees\, he told Chinese officials that forcibly repatriating North Koreans without any determination process and where they could be persecuted on return stands in violation of the Refugee Convention. UNHCR also proposed a special humanitarian status for North Koreans to enable them to obtain temporary documentation\, access to services and protection from forced return. To the refugee agency\, North Koreans are deemed “persons of concern\,” meriting humanitarian protection.\n\nTo date\, there has been little progress in persuading North Korea or China to cooperate with the international community. Nonetheless\, China’s more critical stance toward North Korea of late as well as reports of its making refugee contingency plans in the event of a crisis in North Korea\,[10] might lead to more open discussions\, the relaxing of some of its policies and the possible modification of others.\n\nThe following recommendations are offered with a view to promoting protection for North Korean refugees.\n\nRECOMMENDATIONS\n\nFirst\, an overall international strategy is needed for dealing with the refugee issue. To this end\, the United States should propose a multilateral approach to the North Korean refugee situation. Just as international burden sharing has been introduced for other refugee populations\, so should it be developed here. The North Korean refugee situation is not an economic migrant question for China and North Korea to decide alone according to their own agreements. Other countries are profoundly affected\, in particular South Korea whose Constitution offers citizenship to North Koreans and already houses more than 31\,000 North Koreans who have fled over the past two decades. Countries in East\, Southeast and Central Asia\, East and West Europe\, and North America have admitted thousands upon thousands\, of North Korean refugees. Working together with UNHCR\, a multilateral approach could be designed based on principles of non-refoulement and human rights protection. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres\, who has extensive experience with this and other refugee situations\, should be asked to initiate the process.\n\nSecond\, the United States\, South Korea and allied governments should make China’s treatment of North Korean refugees a high priority in their bilateral dialogues with China. They should make known their willingness to admit North Koreans who cross the border without permission and should call on China to allow UNHCR to begin a determination process so that North Koreans could apply for refugee status and remain temporarily in China while their requests are being processed. The United States and its allies should remind China that more than 150 governments in the General Assembly have called upon China as a country neighboring North Korea to cease the deportation of North Koreans because of the terrible mistreatment they endure upon return. Chinese officials should be encouraged to build on the instances where China has allowed North Koreans to leave for the South\, increase such cases and introduce a moratorium on forced repatriations on humanitarian grounds to remain in effect until such time as North Korea ceases its persecution and punishment of those repatriated. A new approach would enhance China’s international standing\, encourage other states in Asia to uphold international norms\, and exert influence on North Korea to modify its practices. China for its part will need to be assured that the United States and other countries are not seeking to forcibly reunify Korea\, destabilize the North and expand United States influence. Certainly\, the most effective way to reduce the number of North Koreans going into China is not for the Chinese and North Koreans to push back North Koreans but for the DPRK to begin to provide for the well-being and security of its population.\n\nThird\, the United States should expand its practice of identifying and sanctioning North Korean as well as Chinese officials and offices involved in forced repatriations and make them aware that they could be held accountable in future trials. [11] Special Rapporteur Ojea Quintana recently observed that “The more the international community has insisted on the necessity to seek justice…\, the more the [North Korean] authorities have seemingly opened to a conversation with human rights mechanisms on ways to fulfil their obligations…”[12] In response to North Koreans’ fear of accountability\, he described reports\, albeit unconfirmed\, of improved practices in detention facilities\, including toward pregnant women.[13] North Korea also responded for the first time to a United Nations human rights inquiry about returned refugees by providing some statistics. It claimed that only 33 North Korean women out of 6\,452 returned from 2005 to 2016 had been punished.[14] This small number of course contradicted the findings of many UN-commissioned reports that spoke of the routine punishment of tens of thousands returned. But North Korea’s engagement in the conversation shows that international demarches have had some effect. It is important therefore for the United States to strongly support the collection of evidence about forcibly returned North Koreans and make sure that the Seoul office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)\, which is tasked with documenting information with a view to accountability\, has sufficient resources and staff to perform its functions effectively. In particular\, the United States should contribute to the hiring of international criminal justice experts to review existing evidence\, including on forced repatriations\, and to promote the effective working of a central information and evidence repository to be set up in 2018 to facilitate future prosecutions. It should contribute the names and information it has collected to the central repository.\n\nFourth\, the United States should call on the international humanitarian organizations it funds to request\, when appropriate\, international access to detention facilities and reeducation camps that house political prisoners\, among these\, significant numbers of forcibly repatriated women. Such an opportunity arose in September 2016 when a typhoon struck the northeast and flooded not only schools\, clinics\, roads and agricultural lands\, but also a reeducation through labor camp\, Kyo-hwa-so Number 12\, housing some 5\,000 prisoners\, including up to 1\,000 forcibly repatriated women.[15] HRNK provided the UN with satellite imagery of the flooded camp\, which the Secretary-General included in his report to the General Assembly\,[16]  but the humanitarian agencies did not try to help the persons inside. It appeared they were reluctant to antagonize North Korean officials and possibly undermine humanitarian operations for other flood victims\, despite the fact that information was available to them showing that the women and other prisoners in the camp were given starvation rations\, lacked medical care and were subject to exploitation and forced labor.[17] The humanitarian organizations\, it should be noted\, had some leverage in this case because North Korea had requested the aid and had to listen to their views. While North Korea could have turned down the request\, at least the question of entering a flooded camp and reaching its vulnerable people would have been on the table as a legitimate ‘ask’ to be revisited in future.\n\nIt is important that the United States make known to the World Food Program\, UNICEF and other humanitarian agencies that they must stand up for all people at risk\, not just those North Korea might choose to assist\, and use the leverage they have to generate meaningful dialogue on the human rights principles central to humanitarian work. Failure to do so will condone the Kim regime’s persecution and marginalization of the people it considers disloyal\, contrary to the principles upon which humanitarian organizations are founded. Building upon General Assembly resolutions that call on North Korea to grant unimpeded humanitarian access to all affected persons\, including those in detention facilities and prisons\,[18] the United States should reinforce the recent call made by the UN Special Rapporteur to humanitarian agencies: he said they should “ensure” that their programs benefit “vulnerable groups\, including those who are in detention facilities\, prison camps and political prison camps.”[19] It is also time for the United States to urge Secretary-General Guterres to apply to North Korea the UN policy of 2013 which he endorsed – namely the Human Rights up Front (HRuF) approach\, which calls upon the entire UN system to come together in the face of serious human rights violations and take steps on behalf of the victims.\n\nFifth\, the United States should develop contingency plans with China for addressing a crisis in the north that also encompasses protection and assistance for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Significant numbers of North Koreans can be expected to flee to China and South Korea in the event of an emergency\, and even more become internally displaced\, making it desirable for the United States and South Korea to develop plans with China for managing migration.[20] China is already reported to be constructing refugee camps along its border areas with North Korea.[21] An agreement among the three under United Nations auspices should aim at stabilization of the peninsula\, provision of material aid\, protection of displaced persons\, and incentives and opportunities to build and transform the country in accordance with international human rights\, humanitarian and refugee standards and humane treatment of displaced persons.\n\nFinally\, the United States should revisit any restrictions now placed on the admission of North Korean refugees that could conflict with the spirit and intent of the North Korean Human Rights Act (2004). Our government should make known its readiness\, given the persecution and punishment to which North Koreans are subject\, to increase the number of North Korean refugees admitted to this country. In FY 2017\, only 12 were reported to be admitted\, contributing to a total of 212 since 2006. While the vast majority of North Koreans will choose to seek refuge in South Korea\, some have reasons for seeking to resettle in the United States\, and should not be discouraged. As Victor Cha and Robert Gallucci have recommended the United States should “seek public and private sector funding” for “educational scholarships and vocational training\,” [22] in particular from the Korean American community\, to empower the North Koreans already admitted to this country and help them overcome the traumas they experienced in fleeing one of the most tyrannical governments on the planet.\n\n\n\n\n[1] UN General Assembly\, Report of the commission of inquiry on human rights in the DPRK\, A/HRC/25/63\, 7 February 2014\, paras. 42\,76\, 89(m) [henceforth COI report].\n\n\n[2] COI report\, ibid.\, para. 43.\n\n\n[3] UN General Assembly\, Report of the Special Rapporteur on human rights in the DPRK\, A/72/394\, 19 September 2017\, para. 25 [henceforth SR Report].\n\n\n[4] SR Report\, ibid.\n\n\n[5] UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women\, Concluding Observations\, CEDAW/C/PRK/CO/2-4\, 17 November 2017\, para. 45 (c).\n\n\n[6] Ibid.\, para. 45 (d).\n\n\n[7] UN General Assembly\, Report of the detailed findings of the commission of inquiry on human rights in the DPRK\, A/HRC/25/CRP.1\, 7 February 2014\, para. 1197 [henceforth COI report 2].\n\n\n[8] See Roberta Cohen\, “China’s Forced Repatriation of North Korean Refugees Incurs United Nations Censure\,” International Journal of Korean Studies\, Spring/Summer 2014\, pp. 72-3.\n\n\n[9] UN Committee against Torture\, CAT/C/CHN/CO/5\, 3 February 2016\, paras. 46-48.\n\n\n[10] See Jane Perlez\, “China Girds for North Korean Refugees\,” New York Times\, December 12\, 2017; and David E. Sanger\, “Tillerson Speaks on a Largely Secret North Korea Contingency Plan\,” New York Times\, December 18\, 2017.\n\n\n[11] In October 2017\, the Department of the Treasury announced sanctions on seven North Korean individuals and three entities for hunting down of asylum seekers abroad and other abuses. See “U.S. Sanctions North Koreans for ‘Flagrant’ Rights Abuse\, Reuters\, October 26\, 2017.\n\n\n[12] SR Report\, para. 3.\n\n\n[13] SR Report\, ibid.\, para. 26; see also Cohen\, “China’s Forced Repatriation of North Korean Refugees\,” pp. 74-75.\n\n\n[14] North Korea told this to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 2017. See Elizabeth Shim\, “North Korea: Repatriated women defectors are not punished\,” UPI\, August 4\, 2017.\n\n\n[15] Roberta Cohen\, “UN Humanitarian Actors and North Korea’s Prison Camps\,” International Journal of Korean Studies\, Spring/Summer 2017\, pp. 1-24.\n\n\n[16] UN General Assembly\, Report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the DPRK\, A/72/279\, 3 August 2017\, para. 37.\n\n\n[17] COI report 2\, para. 804.\n\n\n[18] UN General Assembly\, Resolution on the Situation of human rights in the DPRK\, A/C.3/72/L.40\, 31 October 2017\, paras. 2(vi)\, 5\, and 15(m).\n\n\n[19] SR Report\, para. 48.\n\n\n[20] See Roberta Cohen\, “Human Rights and Humanitarian Planning for Crisis in North Korea\,” International Journal of Korean Studies\, Fall/Winter 2015\, pp. 11-16.\n\n\n[21] See Jane Perlez\, “China Girds for North Korean Refugees\,” New York Times\, December 12\, 2017; and “Report: China’s Military Prepared for Collapse Scenario\,” Daily NK\, May 5\, 2014.\n\n\n[22]  See Victor Cha and Robert L. Gallucci\, Toward a New Policy and Strategy for North Korea\, George W. Bush Institute\, 2016\, p. 8; and Education and Employment Among U.S.-Based North Koreans: Challenges and Opportunities\, George W. Bush Institute\, 2016.
URL:https://www.hrnk.org/event/protecting-north-korean-refugees-written-statement-by-roberta-cohen-hrnk-co-chair-emeritus-2/
CATEGORIES:Congressional Hearings
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