Hawaii Conference 2023 North Korean Human Rights: “Challenges to Democracy”

Student Reflections

Jisu Shin

Attending the conference was an enlightening experience, broadening my understanding of conflict resolution and the potential for tangible peace initiatives. Witnessing the diverse range of individuals engaged in diplomacy and politics was impressive, while exposure to new perspectives, such as nuclearization as a human rights violation, sparked profound reflection. I admired the nuanced insights shared by Ambassador Turner, Ambassador Lee, and Suzanne Vares-Lum, which not only facilitated networking opportunities but also highlighted potential career paths in peacebuilding. Moreover, the conference prompted me to consider the practical implications of peacebuilding efforts, urging me to confront the complexities of applying classroom knowledge to real-world human rights issues. Overall, the conference instilled in me a deeper appreciation for the necessary systems of change and actionable peace measures, underscoring the importance of continued participation and learning in similar events for future students.

Hannah Harding

Although aware of human rights violations in North Korea, attending a conference in Honolulu shed light on the severity of the situation and prompted a reevaluation of international responses. Learning about forced repatriation and work camps was jarring, leading to a comparison with World War II conditions in Europe and raising doubts about the adequacy of global efforts. Despite initial perceptions of political instability hindering action, the conference presented various ideas ranging from international initiatives to individual efforts, with a recurring emphasis on raising awareness. Encounters with Julie Turner, a State Department ambassador, further emphasized the importance of involvement and provided avenues for future collaboration, highlighting the potential for impactful engagement in addressing human rights abuses in North Korea.

Elle Larson

Attending the North Korean conference in Honolulu was an eye-opening experience, revealing the severity of the situation and the collaborative efforts of Koreans and Americans to aid those affected. Meeting a fellow UH graduate student from Cambodia strengthened the sense of interconnectedness, particularly when discovering a mutual connection through a friend at BYUH who had taught the student's son in Cambodia. These encounters underscored the value of diverse connections fostered at BYUH and reinforced the shared responsibility to care for one another, a profound realization stemming from the conference's discussions on North Korea.

Madison Julien

Attending the conference on North Korea was a profoundly impactful experience, reigniting my desire to aid its people, a passion sparked by an article I stumbled upon earlier in the semester. Invited by Hannah Harding, the alignment of topics was serendipitous, prompting my enthusiastic acceptance. The speakers' presentations were enlightening, delving into the human rights violations under Kim Jong Un's rule and the challenges faced by the international community in assisting North Koreans. Hearing from a South Korean refugee helper provided firsthand insight into the dire situations faced by those seeking escape. While some concepts were complex, the conference was informative, fostering a deeper understanding of the issues. Despite being currently engaged in my studies, I am determined to make a difference for the oppressed in the future.

Jamis Schriner

The North Korean Conference on human rights and democracy left a profound impact on me, providing a practical application of theories from my peacebuilding and Political Science courses while showcasing how politicians and ambassadors utilize these theories to address real-world conflicts. Initially skeptical of the possibility of effecting change in a historically uncooperative country like North Korea, the conference offered insightful and realistic steps the U.S. can take to mitigate its influence and threats to democracy, human rights, and security in East Asia and globally. I was particularly inspired by South Korean Author Jisung Lee, whose selfless dedication to aiding North Korean defectors underscored the power of individual action in effecting positive change. Witnessing the genuine intentions of these individuals in politics reshaped my perception of the American Government, instilling a newfound trust in its efforts to enact positive change both domestically and internationally.

Isabelle Hancock

Attending the North Korea conference proved to be a deeply enlightening experience, shedding light on longstanding human rights violations and the challenges hindering effective intervention. Despite the persistent nature of the crisis, the conference offered diverse perspectives and innovative solutions to address the issue. Particularly striking was the peril faced by North Korean refugees upon fleeing to nearby countries, revealing a distressing cycle of abuse and discrimination instead of rehabilitation. Ambassador Julie Turner's five suggestions for supporting North Korean refugees underscored the importance of international collaboration, accountability, and humanitarian aid. Witnessing the tangible impact of individuals tackling global issues was not only inspiring but also emphasized the potential for ordinary people to effect meaningful change.

Summary Reports

Opening Remarks

Introduction:
Speakers welcomed the audience and expressed excitement for the conference.

Yoon Suk Yeol: President, South Korea
In these prerecorded remarks from the opening session of the Peaceful Reunification Advisory Council, President Yoon discussed the critical nature of human rights as they seek to unify. Rights in North Korea must be addressed and truth must be spoken for their efforts to succeed.

Myong Hae Kim (Annie Chan): Chair, PUAC Global Strategy Special Committee
Hawai’i plays a vital role in the security of the Pacific because of its ability to be a bridge between Asia and the US, both geographically and culturally. This island and the people here are important in uniting international efforts to help the human rights situation in North Korea.

Bong Ryong Park: President, PUAC Hawai’i Chapter
Bong Ryong Park welcomed the audience and thanked them for their attendance.

Suzanne Vares-Lum: President, East-West Center
In 2018, the relationship between North Korea and the United States was such that, when a false missile alarm was sent out in Hawai’i, it was believable. The human rights situation in North Korea does not just affect the people living there, but international relationships and stability.

Sam Satoru Kong: Hawai’i State Senator
Senator Kong’s Chief of Staff attended the conference and spoke in his place, urging the audience to never take for granted their ability to speak freely.

Keynote Addresses

Introduction:
Ambassadors spoke on the state of human rights in North Korea in context of the broader world and its affect on global issues.

Lee Shin-wha: Republic of Korea Ambassador for International Cooperation on North Korean Human Rights
We cannot sideline the issue of human rights grievances in North Korea by only focusing on the issue of nuclear threat; we must balance both issues. Although there was a UN Commission of Inquiry on human rights in North Korea ten years ago, it continues to be a forgotten issue on global media. There are over one thousand defectors from North Korea currently detained in centers in China, which is actively violating international immigrant law by separating families through forced repatriation (sending defectors back to North Korea). Current human rights concerns include food shortages, too long of work days, radiation concerns, and paychecks going directly to the political party. Lee Shin-wha compared these conditions to modern-day slavery. She said we need new and innovative solutions, and that the young people in North Korea are key agents for change. The question is how we can protect and empower them.

Julie Turner: United States Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights
Ambassador Turner briefly mentioned the conditions in North Korea; there are enforced labor camps, and even watching K-Dramas and using South Korean slang are illegal. She said that we must “be a voice for the voiceless, and show the people of North Korea that we see them.” We should support the free flow of info into, out of, and within the country. We must push for accountability and work to support the North Korean refugees around the world, because the country’s crisis is linked to international peace.

Morse H. Tan: Dean of Liberty University School of Law, Former Ambassador at Large for Global Criminal Justice
The government of North Korea wants 3 things: to improve South Korea’s perception of their country, to weaken US-South Korean relations and the United States commitment to defend South Korea, and to take South Korea by force. According to Morse H. Tan, they work to accomplish this with a 5-fold strategy: create a crisis, arrange negotiations as desired, take advantage of benefits, break the commitment, and repeat. He describes the human rights situation in North Korea as “rightlessness;” the people are afforded not one single right listed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Concentration camps exist, with a three-generation detainment policy for those accused of political rebellion. “Peace is not possible in the peninsula without justice,” Tan says. He places the human rights violations, war crimes, and genocide occurring in North Korea as the number one human rights crisis worldwide, saying that “we should care, and we should act.”

Special Guest Interview

Introduction:
The audience listened to a keynote address followed by a special interview with this session’s speaker.

Jisung Lee: Activist/Author
According to Jisung Lee, South Korean citizens are often ignorant of the problems surrounding human rights in North Korea. However, he became involved in the work of rescuing North Korean escapees and raised two million dollars to do so, despite the dangers to his personal life that followed. Not only is there forced repatriation occurring at the border of China by North Korea, but sex and human trafficking for the purpose of organ sale. To Jisung Lee, his religion plays a role in his rescue efforts; he quoted a scripture from the book of Proverbs that teaches us to take care of others when they are in danger.

Interviewer - Greg Scarlatolu: Executive Director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK)
Q: How do you keep up the motivation for this work?
Lee: Jisung Lee described feeling fatigued about the situation. He said that, just a few days before, he had wanted to stop and asked himself “Why am I even saving North Koreans?” He said that being given the opportunity to present at this conference was the extra encouragement that he needed to continue. He also quoted his faith once again as his driving force; his identity as a Christian and faith in the Bible is what keeps him going. “One cannot engage in this work without God’s help,” he said. Then he quoted Matthew 25:40, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Q: China’s repatriation violates the 1951 UN Refugee Convention--How can we stop it?
Lee: He suggests that we urge China to change, but also don’t depend on it doing so. “You think you can stop it?” he asked, seeming to be incredulous. Jisung Lee said that the simple solution instead is to continue the rescue efforts that are in progress.

Q: Tell us about your 10-step plan for saving North Korean escapees.
Lee: Jisung Lee gave a few brief details on the plan, reading from his book titled “10,000 KM: Days with North Korea's Schindler.” The plan includes diverse steps, from building a network inside of North Korea to rescuing escapees in China, from building secret shelters for women to establishing missionaries in Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Panel Discussion

Introduction:
Speakers took turns answering pre-written questions and some from the audience.

Lee Shin-wha: Republic of Korea Ambassador for International Cooperation on North Korean Human Rights
The Trump administration in the US and the Moon administration in South Korea silenced the issues of human rights in North Korea in favor of focusing on denuclearization issues. We must focus on making sure human rights and human dignity are better protected according to international law.

Julie Turner: United States Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights
There is a focus on security within the South Korean-US alliance on addressing human rights in North Korea, but there are also people-to-people interactions. The alliance is founded on shared values, such as human dignity and democracy.

Morse H. Tan: Dean of Liberty University School of Law, Former Ambassador at Large for Global Criminal Justice
The correct balance between focusing on security concerns and issues of human rights would be to solve both issues together. The South Korean Constitution states that everyone on the Korean peninsula are a South Korean citizen, even those in North Korea. So, South Korea could indict Kim Jong Un for the human rights violations and put a warrant out for his arrest as dissuassion. South Korea passed a North Korean Human Rights act, but they could also set up a Truth + Reconciliation committee to hold those most responsible accountable, as well as use every possible avenue to get the word out.

Col. Grant Newsham, USMC, Ret.: President of CPAC-Korea
International security is more than just a military or technological issue, it’s also a psychological issue. Identifying human rights violations are important to help your public and military understand why you must take action. There is a regional aspect to the situation in North Korea, we must also look at who provides them oil, electricity, etc.

Lee: North Korea wants to keep their status in the nuclear power arean in order to keep their regime. This is done internally through extreme control and policies of fear, which is how denuclearization and human rights are related.

Turner: With other international crises happening, how can we keep North Korean human rights a focus? We should integrate them into global conversations and hold them to international law instead of treating them as an oddity. “Now is the time for action,” Ambassador Turner said. We should use with North Korea the tools we use elsewhere to to document abuses and hold people accountable.

Tan: “No matter what challenges you face in trying to help others, it’s not as great as what they are facing,” said Ambassador Tan. North Korea needs a “mass atrocities determination” by the US. There should never be an immunity for mass atrocities (such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity), even if the person is the head of a state; Kim should be prosecuted. We should also do what we can to help North Koreans know that freedom exists outside and increase their access to information.

Newsham: Information is critical in a situation like this, and there ways to gather information here are ways to get info–we should consider using the private sector. The US could act as though North Korean human rights were the number one intelligence priority, and then they’d know just about anything they want to.

Lee: We must use a cautious and deliberate diplomacy approach with China, to show them that they must follow international law if they want to be a global leader. We must also use both brain and heart to solve the problem.

Turner: The testimonies we have from a recent report from the UN shows that the most effective strategies for helping North Korean defectors is to send information back to into the country through things like radio broadcasts and drives. All escapee stories start with someone having contact with foreign information. According to Ambassador Turner, “They need to hear that someone knows what’s happening there and is fighting and advocating for them.”

Tan: There are hundreds of refugees in the US, thousands in South Korea, and hundreds of thousand in China. We must uphold North Korean human rights acts and thus build future leaders of North Korea. The top of the country’s assassination lists are the defectors who are speaking up.

Newsham: How can we change encourage China to change its repatriation policy? One approach is to make it personal, to publicize oversea family members and make leaders think about what they’ll face if they don’t change their policies. We have to put pressure on them to get conversations started. We should use the US’s full potential of political warfare and use psychological strategies instead of only military.

Closing Remarks

Introduction:
This speaker closed the conference with his comments on the situation in North Korea.

Ralph A. Cossa: President Emeritus and WSD-Handa Chair in Peace Studies, Pacific Forum
The leaders of North Korea are not crazy; if we think they are irrational, we just don’t understand why they think that what they are doing is rational. They are doing what they are because it works. North Korea is playing a role in other current security concerns, too. We need to put pressure back on North Korea and remind people of their human rights. There is a danger in the fact that we care more about the plight of North Korean citizens than their leaders.