Hanvoice: A Distant Solution to an Incessant Problem

Originally Published on October 2, 2020

Extermination. Murder. Enslavement. Torture. Imprisonment. These crimes against humanity only partially capture North Korea’s disregard for human rights and blatant refusal to uphold the human rights treaties they have ratified. As one of the world’s most repressive states, the aforementioned crimes are coupled by the government’s forceful restriction on all civil and political liberties for its citizens. With the implementation of arbitrary arrests and punishment of crimes, the government maintains firm control over its citizens through fear. Over the decades, the Kim dynasty has continued to exercise almost complete control using these tactics.

One of North Korea’s most horrific means of punishment is highlighted by their use of gulags, otherwise known as concentration camps. These concentration camps are punishment centers for citizens who have defied the government either by attempting to escape, consume South Korean media, etc. Based on testimonials regarding the horrific nature of these camps, one survivor recounted that he “was stripped and hung upside down, beaten, tortured with fire or water, and had water mixed with spicy pepper poured into his nose and mouth.” It has also been revealed that starvation is common in these camps as guards reinforce the idea that “through hunger [they] will repent.” The prisoners often resort to eating rats and insects to stay alive.

Picture displays the cruelty of the North Korean regime and the mistreatment of the imprisoned.

Knowing the brutal nature of the living conditions within North Korea, Hanvoice was created to advocate, using the platform we have as Canadians, and create change abroad. The “han” in Hanvoice works to showcase a collective feeling of suffering and resilience. The logo also promotes a sense of connection as the coloured line indicates a bridge that serves to show unity. The organization is comprised of a diverse network of passionate individuals who are dedicated to increasing awareness in our home country in hopes to spark change for North Korean citizens halfway across the world.

Hanvoice Logo

The HanVoice Pioneer Project (HPP) is Hanvoice’s signature initiative. Every year, a “Pioneer”— a North Korean defector who resides in South Korea— is brought to Canada as an intern for a 6-month advocacy program. It is through this program where the Pioneer undergoes training in the fundamentals of advocacy, leadership, and English as a second language in preparation for their 4-month internship at Parliament Hill. The Pioneer develops a strong background in advocacy that will help them in their future of advocating for North Korean rights post-internship. HanVoice’s hope is that by equipping these Pioneers with the skillset of a strong advocate, they will continue to shed light and awareness on the current conditions of North Korean rights and injustices.

Alice Kim: She is a past pioneer who, upon graduation of the program, proceeded to vocalize the power of policy and continued her educational journey at Yonsei University in South Korea.

In our future blogs, we hope to bring attention to the current social climate of North Korea by sharing relevant current news and opinion pieces. We believe that change and advocacy starts with education, and by staying informed with the latest news, only then can we truly start to embark on our journey of advocacy.

Bibliography:

Business Insider India. (2020, October 01). The Stories From Inside North Korea’s Prison Camps Are Horrifying. Retrieved October 01, 2020, from https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/the-stories-from-inside-north-koreas-prison-camps-are-horrifying/slidelist/22718077.cms

Fifield, A. (2017, December 11). North Korea’s prisons are as bad as Nazi camps, says judge who survived Auschwitz. Retrieved October 01, 2020, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/north-koreas-prisons-are-as-bad-as-nazi-camps-says-judge-who-survived-auschwitz/2017/12/11/7e79beea-ddc4-11e7-b2e9-8c636f076c76_story.html

Pioneers Program [Internet]. HanVoice. [cited 2020Oct1]. Available from: https://www.hanvoice.ca/our-work/pioneers 

World Report 2019: Rights Trends in North Korea. (2019, January 17). Retrieved October 01, 2020, from https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/north-korea

World Report 2020: Rights Trends in North Korea. (2020, January 22). Retrieved October 01, 2020, from https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/north-korea