Our voices stand in place of the voices of North Korean residents who are held hostage under Kim Jong-un’s dictatorship. We must not remain silent any longer. Our precious family members left behind in North Korea are watching us. It is time for us to expose the hidden realities of North Korean society that the international community is unaware of and to take the lead in calling for the restoration of human rights in North Korea. —North Korean Young Leaders Assembly participant
Panel of speakers discuss human rights on the Korean peninsula during the North Korean Young Leaders Assembly.
The 2024 North Korean Young Leaders Assembly (NKYLA) was held in Washington, D.C., and New York City from July 24 to 31, 2024. Hosted by the Global Peace Foundation (GPF), the eight-day event brought together ten young North Korean escapees and leaders ages 27 to 39. The diverse attendees include graduate students, professionals, and activists who were provided platforms to engage with global policymakers, diplomats, and human rights activists.
The young escapees represent a strong and unwavering cohort to promote change in North Korea. Recognizing their innate strength and determination, the assembly sought to cultivate their leadership skills, increase their knowledge of international diplomacy, and create a platform for promoting human rights in North Korea.
The assembly combined formal sessions and events covering multiple topics with informal networking to provide the diverse group with the unique opportunity to gain valuable insight into U.S. policy and human rights advocacy. Key sessions and events included a National Security Council and State Department meeting, a meeting with the South Korean Ambassador, roundtable discussions at the Brookings Institution, a Korean War Memorial event, a public event at the Hudson Institute, discussions with the U.S. and South Korea Mission to the United Nations and the Asia Society Vice President, and a Korean BBQ party.
The participants were actively engaged throughout the 2024 NKYLA. Feedback received via surveys and focus group discussions indicates its success. They were equipped with enhanced knowledge and skills to advocate for human rights in North Korea and policy changes for a free and unified Korea. In addition, other key outcomes were achieved such as network strengthening among North Korean escapees and increased knowledge of global policymaking processes.
GPF International President James P. Flynn’s lecture on the multifaceted nature of peacebuilding was well received. His presentation’s strengths include a compelling vision for peacebuilding, practical applications of peacebuilding initiatives, and identifying three core values for maintaining peace: deterring war, building consensus, and fostering peace.
A collective effort increases momentum in advocacy for a free and unified Korea. As such, the attendees learned two significant lessons during the assembly: the importance of cooperation and engaging with diverse people who have direct experience in North Korea and the need to understand and persuade those with different perspectives. By doing so, misconceptions about North Korea can be addressed, and a united force can be created to advance shared goals.
Overall, the assembly met its objectives and profoundly impacted the NKYLA members. They are empowered in their human rights advocacy by gaining valuable insights, participating in discussions on North Korea, and making key connections during the assembly. As North Korean young leaders, they will play a significant role in achieving a more just and peaceful Korean peninsula.
Learn more about the One Korea Global Campaign.
