18 1) Policy proposals or means analysis in research by organizations and groups The proposals made in the research report by the Institute for North Korean Studies at Dongguk University (2004) can be roughly summarised as comprising three main points: Firstly, as a means to prevent human rights abuses arising in the process of flight from North Korea, the research called on the South Korean government to actively provide measures against human rights violations encountered by North Korean refugees during their escape and until they enter South Korea. The report requested, secondly, that both the South Korean government and civil society ensure that human rights problems with regard to North Korea are approached on a political level, and that they lead, discuss and provide support for the improvement of the North Korean human rights situation. Thirdly, they suggested that, while ‘strategic thinking’ was needed to eradicate the causes of North Korean human rights problems, it was possible to pursue an alleviation of North Korea’s financial difficulties and to seek democratization of North Korea by peacefully resolving the North Korean nuclear weapons issue and building an environment for the reform and opening up of North Korea. <Table 2-4> Policy proposals of the Institute for North Korean Studies at Dongguk University Research Organization (year) Policy proposals • Institute for North Korean Studies at Dongguk University (2004) *commissioned by the National • Human Rights Commission of Korea Means of improvement by area − Regarding the process of flight: active provision of measures tackling situations of human rights abuses encountered in the course of escape from North Korea and coming to South Korea − Regarding protection of the right to existence: continual interest and support of the international community necessary for advancement of human rights situation within North Korea Means of improvement by actor − South Korean government and civil society: ensure that North Korean human rights issues are addressed on political level; leadership, debates and support for advancement of human rights − International community: efforts to improve human rights of North Korean refugees, continuation of humanitarian aid to North Korean people, call on North Korean government for non-discriminatory food distribution and enhancement of transparency