National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2015
The Commission continues to host discussion meetings and forums to collect the opinions of
Part II
■ Discussion meetings and forums
stakeholders and related institutions regarding North Korean human rights policies and to build
To this end, the Commission hosted the following events:
1. the forum to look for policy solutions regarding issues related to the aging members
of dispersed families, jointly with the National Assembly Human Rights Forum and
Committee for the Ten Thousand Dispersed Families at the National Assembly on April 3rd;
2. the forum to discuss the expectations on and prospects of the OHCHR in Seoul jointly with
the National Assembly Human Rights Forum at the National Assembly on June 26th; and
3. the symposium on transitional justice experience in Germany and North Korean human
rights, jointly with the Transitional Justice Working Group at Seoul Press Center on July
28th.
Marking the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, the Commission co-hosted the Seoul
Dialogue for Human Rights with the Yonsei Center for Human Liberty, Christian Solidarity
Worldwide, and the International Coalition to Stop Crimes against Humanity in North Korea
at Westin Chosun on November 11th. The event was held under the theme of “In Search of
Liberty and Human Rights in North Korea”, participated in by major figures, including the three
former members of the COI on Human Rights in North Korea: Michael Kirby; José Manuel
Ramos-Horta, the former president of East Timor; Robert King, US Special Envoy for North
Korean Human Rights issues; and Charles Hay, British Ambassador to Korea.
■ Projects to promote understanding on North Korean defectors
The Commission intended to add more momentum to its projects by raising awareness on the
characteristics of North Korean defectors and difficulties they experience. To this end, it hosted
a capacity building workshop for projects to promote understanding on North Korean defectors
on November 12th, inviting personnel in charge of these people in local governments and civil
rights groups.
To promote mutual understanding among young people from both Koreas and to help South
Korean students have better knowledge on North Korean human rights, the Commission hosted
the Human Rights Workshop for Inter-Korean University Students at the Seoul Youth Hostel on
December 21st and 22nd.
Part II Major Activities of NHRCK | 75
Major Activities of NHRCK
a national consensus.