East Asian Human Rights Regime and
North Korean Human Rights
October 14- The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), in cooperation with the Korean Association of International Studies (KAIS), hosted “The 6th North Korean Human Rights International Forum” on 14 October 2009 under the theme of “East Asia Human Rights Regime and North Korean Human Rights.”
The conference focused on several topics, including examining the North Korean human rights policies of the Republic of Korea, the United States, Europe, and other concerned Asian countries. During the conference, a comprehensive overview on the possibility of the formation of an East Asian Human Rights regime was presented, as well as on South-North Korea relations and on North Korea human rights. The NHRCK sought to help build a foundation for reinforcing the betterment of North Korea Human Rights policy while at the same time strengthening the international network and cooperation.
The symposium started with the opening remarks by Byung Chul Hyun, the Chairperson of the NHRCK, and by Taik-young Hamm, the President of the KAIS, followed by In Taek Hyun’s congratulatory address, the Minister of National Unification.
The symposium was divided into different sections, each moderated by either Professor Dae Seok Choi from Ewha Women’s University, Professor Young-Hee Shim from Hanyang University, or Kyung Suk Suh, a minister. Representatives from six countries and domestic and international organizations presented and participated in the discussions. The representatives included, inter alia, Lars Vargo from Embassy of Sweden in Seoul, Moo Chul Lee from Kyungnam University, Chul Kim from China Liaoning University, Mimura Mashiro from The Economic Research Institute for Northeast Asia, Marcus Noland from Peterson Institute for International Economies, Won Woong Lee from Kwandong University, Dong Yoon Lee from Silla University, and Rajiv Narayan from Amnesty International.
The symposium provided a forum to synthesize the overall opinions on main issues and policy changes by governmental organizations and countries concerned with North Korean human rights.
