Activism

LiNK considers the grassroots a vital element in the global movement for North Korean human rights, and as such,initiates and supports worldwide grassroots action to raise public awareness and pressure public officials on issues pertaining to North Korean human rights, and the plight of North Korean refugees. LiNK's reach in the grassroots is a tremendous asset in this movement, bringing the weight of public opinion behind this cause.

Project Highlight: UN General Assembly Resolution

In recent years, the Republic of Korea has been absent or abstained four consecutive times on UN resolutions condemning the DPRK's human rights record; a conspicuous absence for the free half of the Korean peninsula. LiNK has been vocal in criticism towards this action. In November 2006, the European Union, United States and Japan introduced a new, stronger resolution into the United Nations General Assembly. LiNK leaders met with senior ROK diplomats to press for an ROK change in stance on the issue and official acknowledgement of the human rights situation in the DPRK (never before accomplished), while LiNK members worldwide engaged in grassroots activity to help bring public attention to the vote and pressure nations to vote affirmative for the resolution. On November 17, 2006, the Republic of Korea voted for the first time in favor of the resolution, signaling a dramatic shift in policy on the issue of North Korean human rights, and a victory for the many citizens worldwide who raised their voices on the issue.

Project Highlight: Project Sunshine 2006

South Korea, in many ways, is the front lines of this movement. It is home to the largest group of North Korean refugees in the world by far, and will be directly impacted by any movement to bring liberty to the North Korean people. South Korea is in the best position to help the people of the DPRK. At the same time, public awareness of the NK human rights crisis is at a startling low, and ROK public representatives and officials have not taken strong, non-partisan stances on issues of North Korean human rights, humanitarian aid, and refugees. In May of 2006, nearly 40 LiNK members from around the world personally funded their own way to Seoul, Korea, where they spent three weeks hosting and participating in daily lectures, seminars, film screenings, debates, panel discussions and advocacy sessions with leaders of South Korea's government, NGOs, think tanks, academic and student communities, and also participated in a wide array of grassroots awareness activities. At the end of the initiative, there was a marked upsurge in grassroots interest on the NKHR issue, increased press coverage of the crisis at large, and several leading South Korean politicians making preparations to address the issue, working with LiNK to develop sustainable solutions to the crisis.

Field Fact-finding Missions

LiNK continually pursues fact-finding missions to areas where North Korean refugees are in hiding, primarily in China but also in neighboring countries. Activities include compiling interviews, testimonies, audio and video data. Such findings provide up-to-date information about conditions on the ground, impacts of international policy and events on refugees, and on circumstances within the DPRK. The information is disseminated to relevant parties worldwide and is instrumental in developing policies that are truly in the best interests of the North Korean people.

Project Highlight: Czech Republic

An estimated 12,000 North Koreans work as forced laborers all over the world, in factories and camps ranging from logging camps in Siberia to sewing factories in the Czech Republic. In May of 2006, LiNK investigators visited factories in the Czech Republic, interviewed some of the girls covertly, and initiated dialogue with the Czech Foreign Ministry, Labor Ministry and Human Rights Ministry, to formally investigate conditions of over 300 North Korean workers, all female, mostly under the age of 23. LiNK continues to work with local partners in the Czech Republic, and initiating investigations in Mongolia, Poland and Russia.