“My final mission is to improve human rights in North Korea!”
(Published November 16, 2011)

“Governor Kim delivers a keynote address during an international seminar at Johns Hopkins University, USA”
Remorse for North Korea’s human rights status – “Government must pass the North Korea Human Rights Act”

– While visiting the US, Governor Kim Moon-soo delivered a keynote address at the International Seminar for North Korean Human Rights Improvement Strategy on November 15^th at Johns Hopkins University in Washing D.C. Governor Kim said, “I consider the improvement of North Korean human rights to be my final mission.” He pledged to give everything to deliver freedom and hope to North Korea. (G-News Plus)

Governor Kim said, “I consider the improvement of North Korean human rights to be my final mission.” He pledged to give everything to deliver freedom and hope to North Korea.

Governor Kim received a standing ovation from 100 participants after sharing his views on November 15^th at the International Seminar for North Korean Human Rights Improvement Strategy held at Johns Hopkins University in Washington D.C. This seminar was co-hosted by the North Korean Human Rights Database Center and the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University Graduate School Korea-USA Research Institute.

In his keynote address, Governor Kim said, “When I was young, I fought against the dictatorial government for freedom, human rights, and democracy. I believe my final mission is the realization of democracy and human rights in North Korea.” He stressed, “Let’s work together on the journey to freedom and emancipation for North Korea.”

Seminar participants included the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States, Han Deok-su; the President of the Korea Society, Thomas Hubbard; the President of the North Korean Human Rights Database Center, Kim Sang-heon; the Chairman of the North Korea Freedom Coalition, Suzanne Scholte; and personnel from international institutions, all of whom enthusiastically applauded Governor Kim’s speech and promised to participate in improving North Korean human rights.

Governor Kim expressed remorse for the rapid increase of famine and the political prison status of North Korea, and he stressed that the Korean National Assembly must quickly pass the North Korean Human Rights Act. He stressed that humanitarian support for North Koreans is inevitable, and that unification is the only solution for rescuing over 200,000 prisoners from North Korean political prisons and the North’s 24 million residents from starvation and torture.

– The seminar was co-hosted by the North Korean Human Rights Database Center and the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University Graduate School Korea-USA Research Institute. The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States, Han Deok-su; the President of the Korea Society, Thomas Hubbard; the President of the North Korea Database, Kim Sang-heon; the President of the North Korea Free Union, Susan Salty; and personnel from international institutions participated in the event. (G-News Plus)

In the first line of his speech, Governor Kim said, “North Korea has imprisoned approximately 200,000 residents in 182 political prisons because they possess improper ideals or are unhappy with the system. There are even reports that the North Korean government forces young children and families to watch public executions by firing squad.”

He also said, “There are approximately 10 million separated family members in South and North Korea, and it is known that 560 prisoners of war from the Korean War are still alive in North Korea.” He continued, “I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to the US House of Representatives for its decision to soon introduce a resolution to address issues regarding prisoners of war, missing people, and abductees of the Korean War to the Foreign Relations Committee.”

Governor Kim said, “The US Congress passed a North Korean human rights act 7 years ago, and the UN has passed North Korean human rights resolutions every year at its General Meeting since 2005.” He continued, “The North Korean human rights problem cannot become a competing theme between the ruling and opposition parties. The Korean National Assembly must quickly pass a North Korean human rights act.”

He also said, “Many refugees from North Korea work to improve North Korean human rights. Twelve North Korean refugees currently work for the Gyeonggi Provincial Government.” He added, “It is important to share the current reality of North Korean human rights issues through active usage of communication methods such as new media and SNS.”

During the question-and-answer session after the keynote address, a participant asked about a South-North Korean summit. In his answer, Governor Kim said, “I believe that a South-North summit is necessary. It’ll be an important step in decreasing tension between the South and the North and in establishing exchange and collaboration.” He proceeded, “Even Obama and Hu Jintao met with North Korea. There’s no reason (for President Lee Myung-bak) not to meet with the North. My basic belief is that we can be close again.”

– On the same day, Governor Kim visited the Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC) in Washing D.C. and took a commemorative photo with the CNMC President, Dr. Kurt Newman, after signing an MOU. Gyeonggi Province and CNMC will collaborate in providing aid to children in third world countries such as North Korea and some African nations. (G-News Plus)

Meanwhile, Governor Kim visited the Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC) in Washing D.C. on the same day and signed an MOU with the CNMC President, Dr. Kurt Newman. Through the MOU, they agreed to help children in underdeveloped countries such as North Korea and some African nations.

In accordance with the agreement, CNMC will support the medical treatment of children suffering from diseases around the world. It will also collaborate in the exchange of superior medical technology, the establishment and operation of a children’s hospital in Korea, and the realization of a global medical network.

CNMC is a non-profit hospital that has been providing medical aid to children in 50 countries in Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Korea for 140 years.

The children’s hospital is renowned for having the best facilities and personnel in the United States. Business Week gave it a resounding review for being the leading professional hospital for infant medical protection services.

The province regards this signing as the starting point in improving in-province medical welfare services for children, and for treating children from the third world nations. The province plans to undertake medical support for the children of nearby nations including North Korea and Thailand with its own budget.

– G-News Plus News | Nam Gyeong-u echo2008@kg21.net

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201111161516172893C048&s_code=C048