The visiting US delegation at the NKDB exhibition. Belsis Romero, White House Faith Office Liaison (second from left); Julie Turner, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for DRL (third from left); and Riley Barnes, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (second from right). Image: NKDB
[SEOUL, June 9, 2026] On June 9, the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) welcomed a high-level United States delegation for a private tour at its newly opened exhibition Her Day In North Korea.
The exhibition tour was part of Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) Riley Barnes's first official visit to Seoul to meet with various stakeholders. He was joined by White House Faith Liaison Belsis Romero and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for DRL Julie Turner.
Guided by NKDB Executive Director Hanna Song, the delegation explored the exhibition's core themes. During the tour, Song highlighted the role of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. North Korean Human Rights Act in supporting international efforts to address human rights issues in North Korea.
Song also briefed the delegation on recent developments within the North Korean human rights sector and shared critical insights into how South Korean young adults are currently engaging with the issue.
NKDB Executive Director Hanna Song leads the US delegation on a private tour, sharing key insights into the ongoing North Korean human rights crisis at the newly opened exhibition. Image: NKDB
The visit provided an opportunity to discuss NKDB's documentation, research, and advocacy efforts related to human rights in North Korea. Through the exhibition, the delegation learned about the experiences of North Korean victims and survivors, as well as the importance of preserving evidence and historical records as part of broader accountability and transitional justice efforts. NKDB and the delegation also exchanged views on the continued importance of documenting human rights violations and ensuring that survivor perspectives remain reflected in international discussions on North Korea.
NKDB expressed its appreciation for the longstanding engagement of the U.S. Department of State on North Korean human rights issues. Discussions also highlighted the importance of maintaining international attention on the human rights situation in North Korea amid a rapidly evolving global landscape and competing international priorities.
The visit underscored the value of sustained international cooperation, continued documentation efforts, and the preservation of evidence in support of future accountability initiatives. NKDB looks forward to ongoing engagement with international partners to advance understanding of and attention to human rights issues in North Korea.
[SEOUL, June 9, 2026] On June 9, the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) welcomed a high-level United States delegation for a private tour at its newly opened exhibition Her Day In North Korea.
The exhibition tour was part of Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) Riley Barnes's first official visit to Seoul to meet with various stakeholders. He was joined by White House Faith Liaison Belsis Romero and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for DRL Julie Turner.
Guided by NKDB Executive Director Hanna Song, the delegation explored the exhibition's core themes. During the tour, Song highlighted the role of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. North Korean Human Rights Act in supporting international efforts to address human rights issues in North Korea.
Song also briefed the delegation on recent developments within the North Korean human rights sector and shared critical insights into how South Korean young adults are currently engaging with the issue.
NKDB Executive Director Hanna Song leads the US delegation on a private tour, sharing key insights into the ongoing North Korean human rights crisis at the newly opened exhibition. Image: NKDB
The visit provided an opportunity to discuss NKDB's documentation, research, and advocacy efforts related to human rights in North Korea. Through the exhibition, the delegation learned about the experiences of North Korean victims and survivors, as well as the importance of preserving evidence and historical records as part of broader accountability and transitional justice efforts. NKDB and the delegation also exchanged views on the continued importance of documenting human rights violations and ensuring that survivor perspectives remain reflected in international discussions on North Korea.
NKDB expressed its appreciation for the longstanding engagement of the U.S. Department of State on North Korean human rights issues. Discussions also highlighted the importance of maintaining international attention on the human rights situation in North Korea amid a rapidly evolving global landscape and competing international priorities.
The visit underscored the value of sustained international cooperation, continued documentation efforts, and the preservation of evidence in support of future accountability initiatives. NKDB looks forward to ongoing engagement with international partners to advance understanding of and attention to human rights issues in North Korea.