[Photo] Korean Human Rights Cities Council Holds Press Conference Condemning Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

At 10:30 AM on the 17th, a statement will be announced at Jeongdong Jeil Church (next to the Russian Embassy in Korea)... After the announcement, supporters will move to the Russian Embassy in Korea to chant slogans and deliver the statement.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] The Korean Human Rights Cities Council (Chairman Lee Dong-jin, Dobong-gu Mayor) held a press conference at 10:30 a.m. on the 17th at Jeongdong First Church next to the Russian Embassy in Korea to condemn Russia's anti-human rights acts of indiscriminate bombing in Ukraine and to express support and encouragement for Ukraine’s peace.

On this day, representatives of member cities of the Korean Human Rights Cities Council strongly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and agreed to call for its immediate cessation, issuing a “Statement Condemning Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Supporting Ukraine.”

Present at the event were Council Chairman Lee Dong-jin, Dobong-gu Mayor, Moon Seok-jin, Seodaemun-gu Mayor, Kim Jeong-sik, Incheon Michuhol-gu Mayor, Andrei Litvinov, a teacher at an alternative school in Gwangju Metropolitan City, and Valeria, a Ukrainian language student studying at Duksung Women’s University Global Education Center.

After the statement was announced, three heads of member city organizations of the council moved to the Russian Embassy in Korea, chanted slogans expressing the council’s intentions, and delivered the statement to the embassy’s mailbox.

At the press conference, Chairman Lee Dong-jin said, “Human rights violations that threaten human life and dignity due to war cannot be justified for any reason. Our country has also suffered from war and knows the horrors of war better than anyone. Since the damage caused by war brings greater trials to vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly, we hope for Russia’s prompt cessation of war and peaceful resolution.”

He also emphasized, “Let us support and strengthen the Ukrainian people who are resolutely fighting against the sorrow and invasion they are experiencing and join the international community in solidarity.”

The Ukrainians present said, “We face the painful reality of our homeland suffering from war every day, and it is a great strength that Koreans, who experienced war first, show interest and stand with us.”

Through this press conference, the Korean Human Rights Cities Council strongly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine due to the serious human rights violations against numerous Ukrainian citizens, children, the elderly, women, and other vulnerable groups caused by Russia’s indiscriminate attacks, and declared its support for Ukraine.

The Korean Human Rights Cities Council is a human rights consultative body formed in 2017 for policy exchange and mutual cooperation among local governments nationwide to protect and promote human rights. On April 5, 2021, it held a “Press Conference Declaring Support for the Myanmar Democratization Movement” in front of the Myanmar Embassy in Korea to condemn the Myanmar military’s brutal human rights violations. On June 8, 2021, it delivered a donation of 10 million won to the Myanmar Democracy Network at Seoul Citizen Hall to support the democratization movement of the Myanmar people against the military coup.