Advocacy

We build support for effective and collective international responses to human rights violations and crimes against humanity in North Korea

Our impact

  • In April 2024, we achieved a significant victory by securing the following key amendments to the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on the situation of human rights in North Korea:

    • For the first time, the UN HRC resolution now acknowledges the entirety of North Korea's penal system, which includes political prison camps, re-education camps, labour training camps, labour training centres, detention centres, holding centres, and waiting rooms.

    • The resolution now explicitly demands the immediate cessation of all human rights violations across the entire penal system, signifying a direct call to action for North Korea and the international community.

    • The resolution now emphasises the need for North Korea to acknowledge and urgently address sexual and gender-based violence against forcibly repatriated women in detention and calls for transparency regarding the treatment of women as a particularly vulnerable group within these settings.

  • We have secured amendments to a European Parliament resolution, strengthening its ability to hold North Korea accountable, and supported a resolution in the Dutch parliament.

  • We have briefed 22 governments & multilateral actors, informing policy on North Korea.

  • We have published 18 reports detailing investigative findings and 3 contracted reports for governments, guiding policy formation.

What is Korea Future doing?

The international response to human rights violations and crimes against humanity in North Korea has been fragmented and lacks robust cooperation among states. However, there is significant potential within the United Nations Human Rights Council and among a wide range of governments to bolster support for effective, collective international responses to these violations. Korea Future plays a pivotal role in mobilising action among states that are active on other global human rights issues but less so on North Korea, as well as among those pursuing diplomatic and policy measures to enhance human rights and accountability.

We provide timely, policy-relevant information to enhance coordination and unity in responding to human rights abuses in North Korea. This is achieved through regular briefings in Geneva, across Europe, and in South Korea, engaging legislative bodies and policymakers in various states. We make frequent submissions to UN Special Procedures, including the Special Rapporteur for North Korea, and we support evidence-based amendments to the annual UNHRC resolution on North Korea to improve accountability prospects. Our efforts extend to global media engagement, ensuring widespread awareness and action