Case Study: Jihyun Park
Overview
Jihyun Park was born in Chongjin, North Korea, in 1968. She experienced acute poverty, famine, illness, and repression. She first escaped at the age of 29. After her second escape from North Korea, with the help of the United Nations, she was granted asylum in the United Kingdom in 2008 and moved to Greater Manchester, where she lives with her husband and three children. She is a human rights activist and an outspoken advocate for North Korean women.
Impact
Korea Future has been instrumental in amplifying the issue of sexual and gender-based violence against women in North Korea, working with activists like Jihyun to build a stage to share their experiences and advocate for justice. Through large-scale documentation and comprehensive data collection, Korea Future has proven beyond doubt the pervasive nature and scale of sexual violence against women in detention, compelling the world to sit up and take notice. By bringing these truths to light, we have been able to amplify the voices of survivors like Jihyun, and also create a powerful platform for their stories to be heard globally.
“Korea Future stands out in its relentless pursuit of accountability, particularly in its advocacy for women suffering from sexual and gender-based violence. Their commitment to laying the groundwork for justice and amplifying the voices of survivors is truly transformative. As someone who has directly benefited from their unwavering support, I cannot overstate the profound impact of their work. Their dedication is not just commendable—it is life-changing for survivors like me.”
Why it matters
Jihyun’s collaboration with Korea Future demonstrates the profound impact of survivor-led advocacy grounded in robust, evidence-based research. By documenting the scale of sexual violence against women in detention and amplifying the voices of those directly affected, Korea Future transforms personal testimonies like Jihyun's into powerful catalysts for international action and accountability.