Original Source: www.koreatimes.co.kr
What if the voices of North Korean refugees could be amplified without pressure to conform to a specific role? This notion was highlighted during the Korea Hana Foundation’s 2024 International Seminar, where I was provoked by insightful papers from Park So-keel and Shin Hyo-sook. The essential questions posed – about the refugees’ aspirations towards advocacy and the ethics of external expectations – resonated deeply with my own experiences from the past 12 years working alongside these courageous individuals.
Despite the common assumption that North Korean refugees might be eager to take up the mantle of human rights advocacy, my observations tell a different story. From 2013 onward, over 600 North Korean refugees have honed their English skills at Freedom Speakers International, an organization I co-founded. Their aspirations predominantly center on education and professional success, while only a handful exhibit a desire for public speaking or advocacy, which should not be taken for granted.
When refugees do engage in public speaking, their motivations are varied. It’s often about sharing personal stories, raising awareness, or finding healing from trauma. For many, speaking publicly becomes a path towards self-identity and empowerment. Advocacy against the regime in North Korea arises organically as one facet of their experiences, rather than being the focal point of their intent.
Defining the space between personal progress and advocacy is crucial for North Korean refugees. These individuals begin their journeys focused on survival, eventually transitioning into advocacy in their own time and manner. An inspiring example is my co-author Han Song-mi, who transformed from a silent observer into a vibrant advocate after years of growth. Her journey represents how patience and freedom can yield organic advocates.
The path towards sharing their stories is not rushed; it typically takes over a decade for North Korean refugees to publish memoirs in English, reflecting their need for healing and adjustment to life outside of oppression. Concurrently, the ever-present demand for “new” narratives from refugees can overlook the experiences of those who have already spoken out.
Advocacy, while undoubtedly impactful, has its limitations. It cannot singlehandedly dismantle the systemic barriers facing North Korean refugees. At Freedom Speakers International, the emphasis is on allowing refugees to choose their speech topics freely, which results in genuine narratives rather than forced conformity to external agendas. The voices that emerge candidly reflect their true selves and experiences.
In conclusion, advocating for the recruitment of North Korean refugees into human rights roles risks overshadowing their autonomy and authenticity. While fostering a space for their stories is important, advocacy should remain a choice rather than an obligation. Allowing their voices to unfold naturally cultivates true representatives of their lived experiences.
The article explores the intersection of North Korean refugees’ personal aspirations and the expectation to become human rights advocates. It delves into the complexities of their journeys as they transition from survival to speaking out against oppression. Throughout the discussion, the author draws upon his experiences with refugees to highlight the importance of autonomy, personal motivations, and the need to create environments where their voices can flourish authentically.
In essence, while the advocacy of North Korean refugees carries significant potential, it should not come at the cost of their personal journeys and autonomy. Allowing these refugees the time and space to express themselves on their own terms will invariably lead to more powerful and authentic voices in the conversation around human rights. Advocacy must be positioned as a personal choice, nurtured by an environment conducive to genuine storytelling, not as an obligation imposed from the outside.
