The consequences of loyalty and disloyalty in North Korea
Towards the end of his long career, Kim Ki-nam had good reason to worry about his future. As North Korea’s longtime propaganda chief, he had...
When free medical treatment is not free
"Oh, are you a North Korean defector?" the South Korean man at the book club asked me politely. "If it's not too intrusive, may I...
Activists resume balloon launches aimed at reclusive North Korea
Fighters for Free North Korea (FFNK) has resumed sending informational leaflets to North Korea. Park Sang-hak, a North Korean defector and activist who leads the...
[INTERNSHIP] Social Media/Content Manager – 2024
Join Human Rights Foundation’s exciting new in-house publication NK Insider (NKIN) as a Social Media/Content Manager Intern. We are seeking a qualified, creative individual to...
Kim Jong-un and the campaign of coerced adulation
Congratulations, your congratulatory message is on TV. In North Korea, where the leadership never seems to tire of being congratulated, there's a tradition of showcasing...
Defectors and the search for happiness
"Are you happy? Is life in South Korea more satisfying than in North Korea?" Ninety percent of the people I meet for the first time...
Companies in China prepare to employ more North Korean workers
Companies in China are reportedly preparing to employ North Korean workers. Firms in the Chinese border city of Dandong, across the Yalu River from the...
Animation films and the shaping of violent children
When defectors from North Korea see kids’ animation movies in South Korea for the first time, they’re usually in for a shock. They’re nothing like...
Why there is no Parents’ Day in North Korea
Wednesday is eobeoi (parents) day in South Korea, where it is a national holiday. Established on May 8, 1973, it is a time for people...
China resumes forcible repatriation of defectors
China last month returned a large number of refugees to North Korea against their will, according to news reports based on activists, brokers and family...
5-jang 6-ki: What a North Korean woman needs for her dowry
I love Pride and Prejudice so much that I've watched it dozens of times. It gets praised a lot for the wonderful story and beautiful...
A North Korean defector’s quest for freedom at 2024 College Freedom Forum
On April 8, College Freedom Forum (CFF) brought together brave and inspiring activists at Stanford University to highlight some of the most pressing human rights...
The achievements and limitations of Yoon Suk-yeol’s North Korean human rights
The current administration of Yoon Suk-yeol in South Korea has done more than any of its predecessors to stand up for the human rights of...