On Wednesday, August 21, Ian Lee '25 hosted a North Korean Defectors forum in the Learning Commons to raise awareness about the severe economic conditions in North Korea and their impact on the people living there.

“Raising awareness about North Korean defectors is a cause that I am deeply committed to. Their struggles are often ignored, and I hope that by sharing their stories, our community will be inspired to take action and advocate for human rights, because change can’t be made if no one knows about it,” stated Lee.

The forum was well attended by Detroit Catholic Central and the local community. During the forum, attendees heard from a panel of keynote speakers, including Moon-kyung Son, Representative of the NGO 'THINK' (The Human Rights in North Korea), Il-soo Kim, a Professor at Yonsei University, and Ye-rim, a North Korean defector born in a third country.

Julie Turner, U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues from the U.S. Department of State, also participated live via Zoom. She discussed the U.S. government's efforts to address human rights violations in North Korea, the diplomatic challenges involved, and the crucial role of international support for defectors. Additionally, Tae-sik Lee, Former South Korean Ambassador to the U.S., shared a video message to the forum.

The panelists addressed several key issues, including:

• The struggles of North Korean defector children born in third countries
• The harsh economic conditions in North Korea and their impact on daily life
• The dangers faced by women and children fleeing North Korea, including human trafficking, and exploitation
• Personal stories of North Korean defectors, highlighting the physical and psychological challenges they endure
• The global importance of North Korean human rights and why these issues should matter to Americans, despite the distance
• The principle from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights

According to Lee, Americans can help support North Korean defectors by educating themselves and others about the situation in North Korea, supporting organizations that provide direct aid to North Koren defectors, advocating for policies that protect refugees and raising awareness through social media and community events, and praying for those affected.

In addition to the forum at CC, Lee held two other events at Oak Pointe Church and Oakland University. Each was sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Unification.

“I am currently working on a documentary that contrasts my life here in Michigan with Ye-rim’s experiences as she struggles to settle in South Korea. Ye-rim, one of the panelists, is visiting Michigan, and we’re capturing her visit to iconic locations, including downtown Detroit. The documentary aims to highlight the great differences between our lives and underscore the importance of human rights. It is scheduled for release in November,” Lee explained.

“Beyond this forum and the documentary, I am planning additional events to further raise awareness of North Korean human rights issues within our community. I am also considering establishing a non-profit organization dedicated to North Korean human rights, as there is currently no such organization in Michigan. Most are based in larger metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. After organizing this forum for over a year, I’ve learned how I can help and am committed to doing as much as I can,” stated Lee.