| | Welcome to this edition of the ECHO Newsletter, where we share a snapshot of what we have accomplished together in the second quarter of 2026 (April-June). This stretch has been full of exciting activity and fulfilling achievement, from welcoming many special visitors to our newly opened exhibit to hosting and engaging with North Korean human rights events globally and locally. To everyone that has supported us, thank you.
| | | Her Day in North Korea: 1,000+ Visitors and Counting!
| NKDB’s newly opened exhibit, Her Day in North Korea, has reached 1,000 visitors since opening in April. The bright pink and turquoise walls tell the honest and incisive story of Myoung Joo, an ordinary North Korean woman, crafted from the testimonies NKDB has collected.
| NKDB has had the honor of hosting special guests for private tours, such as Ambassador Peter VAN DER VLIET of the Netherlands, a U.S. State Department delegation, and Vice President Bodo RAMELOW of the German Bundestag.
| We invite schools and groups to experience the exhibit through guided learning, with Korean-language docent tours and English-language guided tours available by reservation. Reserve your visit today for an engaging and thought-provoking learning experience on North Korean human rights!
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| | Explore the Updated ‘Visual Atlas’
NKDB’s Visual Atlas—an interactive map documenting human rights violations—has been updated with new data on forced repatriations. Combining geographic trends with survivor testimonies, the platform offers a powerful way to explore patterns of abuse and deepen understanding of the realities faced by North Korean escapees.
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| Melbourne Forum Addresses Trafficking of North Korean Women
| In partnership with the Australia-Korea Foundation, NKDB hosted an international forum in Melbourne, Australia, examining the human rights abuses and human trafficking faced by North Korean women in China. Bringing together Australian experts and advocates, the forum raised awareness of survivors’ experiences and explored how international cooperation can strengthen protections for North Korean women.
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| | UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Roundtable
| On May 15, NKDB joined a roundtable with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker TÜRK during his visit to South Korea. Hanna SONG, Executive Director of NKDB, underscored the North Korean regime’s systematic information blockade, the urgent need for accountability, and the risk of waning international attention to North Korean human rights abuses.
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| | More of NKDB’s Activities
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| | NKDB expands psycho-social assistance to survivors through the support of help alliance
NKDB is pleased to share that we have been able to expand our psycho-social assistance to North Korean human rights victims through the generous support of help alliance. On June 1, we had the opportunity to visit the Korea office of Lufthansa and meet Lufthansa staff and help alliance community members for a meaningful discussion on the role that businesses can play in advancing human rights.
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| | | NKDB Successfully Wraps its 2026 Spring Academy
NKDB’s 2026 Spring Academy—the North Korean Human Rights Academy, Unification Law Academy, and Together for Reunification Forum—successfully concluded after three months of intensive learning, discussion, and reflection. We congratulate this year’s graduates for their commitment to advancing North Korean human rights and look forward to welcoming a new cohort this September.
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Younghyeon LEE, Attorney at NKDB’s Center for Human Rights Legal Support, spoke at UN Human Rights Office seminar, “Pathways to Compensation” (April 22)
| Attorney LEE shared that NKDB has recently expanded beyond traditional civil claims to include criminal complaints against individual perpetrators. He highlighted the unprecedented case of Ms. Choi, the first North Korean escapee to pursue parallel civil and criminal charges against the Kim regime, an effort NKDB plans to escalate to the United Nations and the International Criminal Court.
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Hayeong KIM, NKDB Counselor, presented at workshop run by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) (May 7)
Counselor KIM presented on guidelines for supporting survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). NKDB explored trauma-informed, survivor-centered approaches to strengthen professional support systems and better address the psychological needs of survivors.
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NKDB’s
2025 Annual Report is out!
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NKDB has published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of documentation, research, and advocacy for North Korean human rights. The report reflects our ongoing commitment to uncovering the truth, amplifying survivors’ voices, and advancing accountability. We invite you to explore the progress and impact of our work over the past year.
| READ THE REPORT
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| Special Feature: Resettlement Assistance Headquarters
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| 16th NKDB Healing Camp Brings Survivors Together
On June 18-19, NKDB hosted its 16th Healing Camp in Paju, bringing together North Korean human rights survivors and their families for two days of community bonding and healing. Participants shared a common hope: that more survivors will have access to programs like these. Participants enjoyed a comprehensive itinerary that included the DMZ Peace Trail tour, a gondola ride, and physical wellness sessions.
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| | “We Have Not Forgotten Your Youth”: Honoring Repatriated South Korean POWs
On April 29-30, NKDB’s Resettlement Assistance HQ, in partnership with South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, hosted an event for former prisoners of war from the Korean War in Gimpo and Ganghwa. Marking its 21st year, the event brought together more than 30 former POWs and their families to honor their sacrifice, recognize their service, and express gratitude.
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“Now I Can See the Flowers”: How NKDB Helps Survivors Embark on Their Healing Journeys
“Now I can finally see the flowers.” These heartfelt words from a participant in NKDB’s counseling program reflect the transformative power of healing. Through psychological counseling and career support, NKDB helps North Korean escapees recover from the lasting effects of human rights abuses to rebuild their lives. With your support, more survivors can regain hope and confidence for a brighter future.
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| | NKDB Delivers Human Rights Education for North Korean Escapees at West Gyeonggi Hana Center (April 22)
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| | | NKDB’s West Gyeonggi Hana Center Hosts North Korean Human Rights Booth at Yuhan University Festival (May 28-29)
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| | | NKDB Hosts Students from Handong Global University’s Department of Counseling Psychology and Social Welfare (June 23)
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| | | | 89,300
| Human Rights Violation Cases
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| IN NKDB UNIFIED HUMAN RIGHTS DB
| | | | | | | | 4th Floor, 393, Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Junggu, Seoul · South Korea.
| © Database Center for North Korean Human Rights
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