MZ North Korean Defectors Who Flew to Canada, Why Chinese Students Apologized

North Korea Research Institute International Activities Team, Special Lecture in Canada
Visiting 8 Universities to Reveal the Horrific Reality of North Korean Human Rights
Chinese Students Say "We Want to Apologize for Repatriation Instead of the Government"

Youth defectors from North Korea belonging to the 'MZ Generation (Millennials + Generation Z)' raised awareness about the harsh realities of North Korea in Canada. A Chinese international student, upon learning about the forced repatriation of defectors residing in China, even apologized on behalf of the government.

The International Activities Team of the North Korea Research Institute conducted special lectures at eight universities while touring cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal from the 30th of last month to the 4th of this month. This special lecture series was held jointly with Han Voice, an international North Korean human rights organization headquartered in Canada.

The International Activities Team of the North Korea Research Institute conducted special lectures at eight universities while touring cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal from the 30th of last month to the 4th of this month.
[Photo by North Korea Research Institute]

Composed of young members including Kim Ilhyeok (29), Park Yuseong (33), Han Hana (24), and Kim Eunju (38), the International Activities Team communicated directly in English with local university students, sharing the human rights situation in North Korea, their reasons for deciding to defect, the horrors experienced during forced repatriation, and their settlement experiences in South Korean society.

Although international interest in North Korean human rights issues is increasing, more attention and public discourse are still required. A local university student who met the lecturers said, "Are all these stories things you personally experienced?" and added, "They are so horrific that it is hard to believe."

Kim Ilhyeok, a researcher at the North Korea Research Institute, said, "I felt grateful once again seeing students attentively listen to the stories and ask many questions about how to help North Koreans and defectors." He also shared a brief but special anecdote. He said, "Two Chinese international students listened to the lecture and said, 'When we were young, we often saw North Korean defectors in China, but we did not know that the government forcibly repatriated them.' The two extended their hands, saying they wanted to apologize on behalf of their government."

Researcher Kim is a defector youth who, at a United Nations Security Council meeting convened last November after six years to discuss North Korean human rights issues, sharply criticized Chairman Kim Jong Un by saying, "Dictatorship cannot last forever," and urged, "I hope you act humanely even now." He said, "I felt proud of North Korean human rights activities as I directly experienced the growing interest and change in people's awareness of North Korean human rights," adding, "It was a grateful time to repeatedly engrave in my heart why we must continue activities to improve North Korean human rights and what their significance is."

The International Activities Team of the North Korea Research Institute conducted special lectures at eight universities while touring cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal from the 30th of last month to the 4th of this month.
[Photo by North Korea Research Institute]

According to the survey results conducted during this special lecture series, students initially perceived North Korea as "Kim Jong Un's dictatorship and oppression." After listening to the lectures about the realities of North Korea, the keywords they associated with North Korea changed to "North Korean people," "sorrow," and "hope."

The North Korea Research Institute and Han Voice adopted a "Joint Statement" condemning the human rights violations of the Kim Jong Un regime and pledging to work together to improve the human rights situation of the residents in the future. This statement was read aloud together by the MZ Generation defectors who gave the lectures and Canadian students.

The defectors who participated in the special lectures also visited the Canadian Parliament on the 2nd and met with Senator Yuen Martin. Senator Martin said, "It is encouraging that the South Korean government established 'North Korean Defectors Day,'" emphasizing, "The role of young defectors is important for future inter-Korean unification."

The International Activities Team of the North Korea Research Institute conducted special lectures at eight universities while touring cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal from the 30th of last month to the 4th of this month. They also visited the Canadian Parliament and met with Senator Yuna Martin.
[Photo by North Korea Research Institute]