North Korea Freedom Week 2015

 

12TH Annual North Korea Freedom Week April 26-May 2, 2015

to promote the freedom, human rights, and dignity of the North Korean People

 

“Let us Lead the Way to Unification”: The Activism of North Korean Defectors for Unification

 

CONFIRMED PUBLIC EVENTS FOR NKFW 2015 (as of 4/13/15)

Please check NKFreedom website for continuous updates as more events and details confirmed

 

April 26 Sunday

 

10:30 AM Church Service: The NKFW Defector Delegation and NKFW Participants will attend church at the Korean Central Presbyterian Church (Centreville, VA) hosted by Pastor Eung Yul Ryoo. Open to the public; No RSVP needed.

 

3:00 PM Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Korean War Memorial The North Korean Defector delegation will lay a wreath at the Korean War Memorial (Washington, DC) and pledge their lives to honor the memory of those who served to make South Korea free by working to make North Korea free. Open to the public; No RSVP needed.

 

7:00 PM Benefit “MaJung” Concert for North Koreans: North Koreans in the USA (NKinUS) will host a special musical concert at the Landon School (Bethesda, MD) featuring North Korean pianist KIM Chul Woong, saxophone player David Tauler, and North Korean refugee Songwha Han.  The concert will benefit the work of NKinUSA in rescuing North Korean refugees and helping those who have resettled in the USA.  Join NKinUSA for a wonderful night to hear talented performers while learning more about North Korea human rights issues. Open to the public.  For more information contact NKinUSA at 571-340-4679 or email info@nkinusa.org

 

April 27 Monday

 

9:00 AM Press conference at National Press Club The National Press Club Newsmaker Committee would host a Press conference for the North Korean Defector Delegation at National Press Club to release new information from inside North Korea, showcase the work of the North Korean defectors in getting information into North Korea and to announce the week’s events. The press conference is for the media.  

 

11:00 AM-1:30 PM Special Presentation at Palace Restaurant (Annandale, VA) for the Korean-American community featuring Park Sang Hak and Kim Seong Min and hosted by the Korea Freedom Alliance which will focus on efforts to get information into North Korea.  Short videos and a Q&A session will follow presentations by Park and Kim.  Lunch will be provided and RSVP is required to Peter Kang at kangp@cox.net or by phone to 571-245-6550.

 

6-7:30 PM: HRNK Report Release: "Arsenal of Terror: North Korea's Role as a State Sponsor of Terrorism," by Joshua Stanton; National Press Club; Holeman Lounge; Light hors d'oeuvres will be served.  The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea will release its latest report focusing on the regime’s role in supporting terrorism.  A cash bar will be available. RSVP by sending an email to: Rosa Park, HRNK Director of Programs at: rosapark@hrnk.org. 

 

April 28 Tuesday

 

10 (Requested)  Congressional Hearing

 

2 PM: Heritage Foundation will host panel sessions with North Koreans defectors and with U.S. North Korea experts to discuss policy recommendations.  RVSP information will be included in next update.

 

8 PM: Special Event in front of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to focus on their brutal treatment of North Korean refugees.  Meet at park across the street from 3505 International Place NW, Washington, D.C.

 

April 29 Wednesday

 

10 or 2 pm (Requested) Congressional Hearing

 

7 PM Tentative Film Screening

 

April 30 Thursday

 

New York, New York!: North Korean defector delegations and NKFC members will have a special  Trip to New York City to visit the United Nations, the DPRK Mission and the US Mission to the UN.

NKFC is organizing transportation for NKFC members who also want to participate.  If you want to join events in NYC, please email Kang Seo at:  seojwkang@gmail.com

 

May 1 Friday

 

10 AM (Requested) Congressional Meeting

 

12:00 PM Capitol Hill Forum featuring NK Defectors Defense Forum Foundation will host the defector delegation to discuss their efforts to bring about regime change in North Korea followed by a Q&A session.  Location: The Gold Room, Rayburn House Building; Especially for Congressional staff but open to the public; RSVP required (limited seating) to seojwkang@gmail.com

 

7:00 PM NKFW 2015 Silent Auction and Dinner North Korea Freedom Coalition is organizing a fun and inspiring fundraiser at the Elks Lodge in Fairfax, Virginia, to raise money for the nongovernmental organizations headed by defectors that are working to get news and information into North Korea and those involved in rescuing and helping North Korean refugees. Part of the event will include a silent auction.  Individual ticket costs $50 per person and $25 for students.  RSVP and payment in advance required.  Tickets will be available for purchase online and via mail at www.nkfreedom.org. Special Hosts and Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

 

May 2 Saturday

 

10:30 AM – 1:30 PM: Unification of the Mind Conference A special conference hosted by Emancipate North Koreans (ENoK) will bring North Koreans, Korean Americans and South Koreans together to discuss how to prepare for the unification of Korean peninsula.  It will be held at the John Marshall Library, John Marshall Meeting Room, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria VA 22310   RSVP required.  For more information, contact ENoK at email: enok.group@gmail.com

 

3 PM Afternoon Demonstration and Protest at PRC Embassy for North Korean Refugees to stop forced repatriation and violent treatment of North Korean refugees.   North Korean Freedom Coalition joined but other NGOs and the North Korean defector delegations will have dramatic presentation and testimony calling for China to end its cruel treatment of refuges which is in defiance of its international treaty obligations. Location: 3505 International Place NW, Washington DC Open to public; No RSVP required; Bring everyone you know!

 

7 PM Concert hosted by NKinUSA at the Korean Church of Philippi in Hanover, Maryland, similar to April 26th event.

 

www.nkfreedom.org

 

 

Suzanne Scholte
President, Defense Forum Foundation
www.defenseforumfoundation.org
Chairman, North Korea Freedom Coalition
www.nkfreedom.org