Lee Chae-yeon, right, receives the certificate of FSI-GHSU translation manager at the 4th FSI-GHSU International Youth Forum on July 1, 2023, in Seoul. She received the award from FSI co-founders Casey Lartigue, center, and Lee Eun-koo. Courtesy of Freedom Speakers International

Lee Chae-yeon

Freedom Speakers International co-founder Casey Lartigue recently created an online petition calling on Western countries to open their doors to North Koreans who have escaped from China. His action reminded me that we can all do something to make a difference about the things we care about. He didn't ask anyone for permission to do it, he just did it. It is an important lesson I have learned from him and FSI co-founder Lee Eun-koo as a volunteer with the FSI-Global High School Union (FSI-GHSU).

I signed the online petition and began thinking more deeply about what I could do. The first thing I realized is that I needed to learn more. Once I went into learning mode I could see how big the problem about North Korean human rights is.

Recently, there have been many news reports that thousands of North Korean defectors, who risked their lives to escape North Korea in search of freedom, are being arrested by Chinese police and forcibly repatriated to North Korea.

As the border between North Korea and China reopened after being closed during the coronavirus pandemic, more than a few thousand North Korean defectors reportedly arrested and detained by Chinese police are being forcibly repatriated to North Korea. According to reports, the Chinese government forcibly repatriated about 600 North Koreans last October.

They are being repatriated without receiving any basic refugee human rights protection. They are in desperate need of immediate and influential intervention, most notably by the Republic of Korea or by any other free countries or international organizations.

Despite being a member of the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council, China is violating the human rights of North Koreans. The Chinese government must comply with the Convention on the Status of Refugees and thereby recognize and protect North Korean defectors as refugees.

More countries and organizations in the free world need to stand together for the human rights and freedom of North Koreans. Otherwise, North Koreans will continue to be forcibly recalled to North Korea where they are likely to be tortured and could even be executed.

Learning is the first step and taking action where I am is the second step. I signed the petition by Mr. Lartigue. I have gotten more deeply involved with the FSI-Global High School Union, as a translator so North Korean refugee voices can be heard.

I made a donation to FSI's upcoming "I am from North Korea" speech contest to be held next week at Harvard University. It is important to hear the voices of North Korean refugees. I have vowed to get more involved with highlighting and sharing the stories of North Korean refugees, such as authors Han Song-mi ("Greenlight to Freedom"), Sharon Jang ("Girl with Black Makeup"), and Yeonmi Park ("In Order to Live").

One single action won't change North Korea, but raising awareness, signing petitions, reading books and watching videos, learning and taking action all make me feel I am part of a global movement to protect the basic human rights of North Koreans. It has built my confidence, leadership skills, taught me how to work within teams and to learn from others around me. After entering the university, I will create an FSI club to raise awareness about the reality of North Korea and North Korean refugees.

Lee Chae-yeon is FSI-GHSU translation manager in the Freedom Speakers International Global High School Union (FSI-GHSU).