The Commission held a meeting with Korean immigrants living in LA to collect up
diverse opinions on North Korea defectors and North Korean human rights issues, and held
another meeting with Antonio Villaraigosa, the Mayor of Los Angeles, Herb Wesson, the
Los Angeles City Council President and others to share the international understanding of
the human rights conditions in North Korea and build a network of cooperation.
② Onsite investigations of North Korean Human Rights Conditions Overseas
The NHRCK conducted various onsite investigations to examine the latest status of
North Korean defectors and how the consul interviews Korean people detained in China. It
also conducted an onsite investigation in the North Korea-China border areas, including
neighborhoods around the Amnok River and Dandong, to examine the current status of
North Korean defectors in China, and their treatment.
③ Strengthening Cooperation with International Experts
The NHRCK conducted interviews with international experts including the U.S. special
envoy for North Korean human rights issues, German and EU Ambassadors to Korea and
the representative of the UNHCR Seoul Office, and heads of diplomatic offices in Korea to
share their understanding of North Korean human rights issues and strengthen solidarity
and cooperation.
The Commission also actively brought up North Korean human rights issues to the
international society and enhanced publicity on these issues to raise more attention in order
to promote the human rights of North Koreans. As part of these efforts, the Commission
sent its chairperson’s letter on the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors in China to
the Secretary General of the United Nations and the heads of international human rights
organizations, and attended the UNHRC to present its opinions on North Korea’s human
rights issues.
4) Promoting Domestic Cooperation
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Part II. Major Activities of the Commission