Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights
Budget
€1,290,000
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
2
0.2 FTE
EU Grants
None
Mission & Goals
Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights (NKHR) is a non-profit organization founded in Seoul, South Korea in 1996. It has 30 years of experience in documentation and advocacy, including leading efforts to build support for such milestones as the establishment of the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK in 2004, and the creation of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the DPRK in 2013 and the subsequent UN Panel of Experts on Accountability. NKHR specializes in investigations into crimes against humanity in North Korea and their links to transnational business and military networks. It is the only North Korean human rights organization that has published reports on these topics, including "Blood Coal Export for North Korea"(2020) and "Made in China" (2024). NKHR also runs adjustment, leadership, vocational training and trauma-processing programs for North Korean youth and adults resettling in South Korea.
EU Legislative Interests
NKHR will engage with key EU legislative proposals and policies by supporting the EU in upholding its strong human rights standards, particularly in relation to North Korea, human rights, and the Korean Peninsula. This includes fostering collaboration with the European External Action Service, the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights, and the Delegation for Relations with the Korean Peninsula. NKHR will address critical gaps by providing reliable insights and evidence to enable policymakers, experts, and businesses to strengthen accountability measures, and uphold global standards against abuses such as modern slavery, forced labor, enforced disappearances and SGBV. NKHR will seek to support the implementation of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EUGHRSR), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the Forced Labour Regulation by ensuring the availability of high-quality documentation, mapping North Korea’s forced labor schemes, and providing actionable information to help companies identify, prevent, and address risks as EU legislation comes into effect.
Communication Activities
Since 2003, NKHR has actively engaged in communication activities to support the European Union, EU member states, and other allies in addressing North Korean human rights abuses. These efforts include organizing events, and conducting briefings based on NKHR publications for states, UN and EU experts and Parliament Members to raise awareness and to support stronger international action. EU has consistently tabled annual UN resolutions on the human rights situation in North Korea since 2003. The NKHR's advocacy played a key role in the establishment of critical mandates, such as the UN Special Rapporteur on DPRK and the Commission of Inquiry (COI), as well as in calls for the referral of North Korean leadership to the International Criminal Court and the opening of the UN field office for DPRK in Seoul, Republic of Korea. NKHR’s research has also contributed to the EU’s first-ever human rights sanctions targeting North Korean military and security forces profiting from human rights abuses, announced in March 2021.
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights is a non-paying member of following non-profit federations and coalitions that align with and advance the shared goals of NKHR: Asia Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances, non-governmental, non-profit coalition of NGOs in Asia International Coalition Against Enforced Disappearances, non-governmental, non-profit coalition of global NGOs working on enforced disappearances Coalition for the International Anti-Corruption Court - Coalition of concerned individuals, former officials, business leaders, representatives of civil society, dedicated to promoting human rights, human health, and international peace and security.
Organisation Members
Here are the links with list of the members in Korean and English (English website is still under reconstruction) : https://www.nkhr.or.kr/?act=info.page&pcode=organization http://cafnkhren.homepage.whois.co.kr/?act=info.page&pcode=organization Our organization does not have affiliated entities.
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.