The Washington chapter of AKU-USA held a “One Korea Talk Concert” on the 28th at the Washington Korean Community Center.
On a sunny weekend, with cherry blossoms in full bloom, Korean attendees who filled the venue expressed deep sorrow, stating, “When we think of the North Korean people suffering under a dictatorial regime—and the defectors trapped in human rights blind spots, living in fear of being captured by Chinese public security forces and forcibly repatriated—it feels as though spring has not truly arrived, even though the season is upon us.”
AKU-USA held a “One Korea Talk Concert” at the Washington Korean Community Center.
During the first segment, which comprised lectures and reports, AKU-USA President Kim Yu-sook delivered a presentation on “The Dangers of the ‘Two States’ Theory.” She was followed by Jeon Su-jin, Chair of the Human Rights Committee of AKU, who presented on a “Petition for North Korean Prisoners of War in Ukraine”; Kenji Sawai, a researcher at the Global Peace Foundation, who discussed a “Legal Victory Regarding the Repatriation of Korean Japanese”; and adviser Esther Kim, who addressed the “Issue of China’s Forced Repatriation of North Korean Defectors.”
Subsequently, Greg Scarlatoiu, President and CEO of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK), and Lee Hyun-seung, representative of the North Korean Young Leaders Assembly, hosted a talk concert titled “North Korea’s Next Generation and Human Rights.” They spoke on the current state of human rights for the North Korean people and the pivotal role the next generation is expected to play in the future unification process. They also engaged in dialogue with attendees, exchanging ideas on practical strategies to realize a free and peaceful “One Korea.”
Greg Scarlatoiu emphasized, “The ‘Two States’ theory makes no sense on the Korean Peninsula, which has remained a single entity for over a thousand years,” adding, “Unification is not a choice, but a destiny.” Lee Hyun-seung also pointed out, “North Korea’s objective is the completion of the ‘Joseon Revolution’—a goal that remains unchanged, both in the past and today,” noting, “Their tactics have merely shifted; whereas they pursued unification in the past, they have now pivoted to the ‘Two States’ theory.”
President Kim Yu-sook stated, “North Korea’s ‘Two States’ theory is fueling national division.” She added, “Believing it is crucial to foster a shared and accurate understanding of unification, we organized this event. Moving forward, we will continue to work steadfastly toward achieving free unification and improving human rights in North Korea.”
Read the original article in Korean: Alliance for Korea United (Washington) ‘One Korea Talk Concert’
