On August 19, NKDB was honored to welcome Catherine West, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Minister for the Indo-Pacific, to our exhibition on North Korean human rights in Seoul.
During her visit, Minister West met with NKDB’s Chairperson, Executive Director, and Human Rights Analyst, alongside North Korean escapees Eunju kim and Ilhyeok, who shared their personal experiences of repression and escape. Their testimonies highlighted the ongoing suffering of North Koreans under the regime and the urgent need to ensure that victims’ voices are heard and remembered.
Minister West emphasized the UK’s continued commitment to addressing North Korean human rights violations, noting that these issues cannot be seen in isolation. She stressed the importance of international solidarity, drawing connections with broader global challenges, including the war in Ukraine.
Her remarks underlined how vital it is to remain engaged on human rights in North Korea and to support spaces like NKDB’s exhibition, where survivors and victims can speak for themselves.
NKDB is deeply grateful for Minister West’s visit and her recognition of the importance of documenting and amplifying the voices of North Korean victims. Her engagement is a reminder that international attention and solidarity are crucial to keeping the human rights of the North Korean people on the global agenda.
On August 19, NKDB was honored to welcome Catherine West, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Minister for the Indo-Pacific, to our exhibition on North Korean human rights in Seoul.
During her visit, Minister West met with NKDB’s Chairperson, Executive Director, and Human Rights Analyst, alongside North Korean escapees Eunju kim and Ilhyeok, who shared their personal experiences of repression and escape. Their testimonies highlighted the ongoing suffering of North Koreans under the regime and the urgent need to ensure that victims’ voices are heard and remembered.
Minister West emphasized the UK’s continued commitment to addressing North Korean human rights violations, noting that these issues cannot be seen in isolation. She stressed the importance of international solidarity, drawing connections with broader global challenges, including the war in Ukraine.
Her remarks underlined how vital it is to remain engaged on human rights in North Korea and to support spaces like NKDB’s exhibition, where survivors and victims can speak for themselves.
NKDB is deeply grateful for Minister West’s visit and her recognition of the importance of documenting and amplifying the voices of North Korean victims. Her engagement is a reminder that international attention and solidarity are crucial to keeping the human rights of the North Korean people on the global agenda.