Citizens view a photo exhibition on North Korean human rights at Seoul Citizens Hall, Monday. Yonhap

Commemorating the first North Korean Defectors' Day on Sunday, the Seoul Metropolitan Government hosts a series of events throughout the week, aiming to combat prejudice against North Korean defectors and foster a sense of unity and belonging among all Seoul citizens.

Under the theme "Beyond freedom to hope, together as one," a variety of events, including a forum on North Korean human rights and exhibitions, are taking place at City Hall and Seoul Plaza from Monday through Sunday.

The Ministry of Unification has designated July 14 as a national memorial day for North Korean defectors in May. This date marks the enforcement of the North Korean Defectors Protection and Settlement Support Act, which was first implemented in 1997. The act defines the legal status of North Korean defectors and outlines the government's support policies for their settlement.

The forum on North Korean human rights is set for Thursday at 2 p.m., commemorating both the 10th anniversary of the U.N. Commission of Inquiry (COI) publishing its Report on North Korean Human Rights and the inaugural North Korean Defectors' Day.

The poster of Seoul Forum on North Korean Human Rights 2024 / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

This marks the first time the local government is hosting such a forum. The event will feature domestic and international experts on North Korean human rights, including former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The forum will be held in two sessions – "The reality of North Korean human rights and international cooperation strategies" and "Journey to freedom, accompanying North Korean defectors." Discussions will focus on the future direction of North Korean human rights and support measures for defectors.

In the first session, Ambassador-at-large on North Korean Human Rights Lee Shin-wha will lead the discussion. Participants will include Julie Turner, U.S. Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues; Elizabeth Salmon, U.N. Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights; James Heenan, Representative of the U.N. Human Rights Office in Seoul and Brian Myers, a professor of international studies at Dongseo University.

The second session will also feature prominent experts — Nam Sung-wook, professor of North Korean Studies at Korea University and president of the Convergence Institute for National Unification; Yoo Seong-ok, chairman of the Institute for National Security Strategy; Kim Chun-sig, president of the Korea Institute for National Unification; Yoon Yeo-sang, head of the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights and Kim Il-hyeok, a North Korean defector.

A talk concert on human rights for the younger generations of North and South Korea will take place on Friday and Saturday in collaboration with private organizations. This event aims to compare and understand the cultures and human rights of the two Koreas, focusing on the lives of Generation Z defectors from North Korea.

Additionally, screenings of North Korean human rights films will take place at Seoul Plaza. On Friday, "Crossing," a film depicting the pain and tragedy of families separated during defection, will be shown. A movie titled "Ayla," which is about the bond and separation between a father and daughter and a story of a Turkish soldier caring for an orphaned girl during the Korean War, will be screened on Saturday.

Before the film screenings, attendees can experience North Korean cultural performances and foods, such as sikhye, a traditional sweet Korean beverage made with rice, and corn rice cake.

There will also be special booths selling products made by North Korean defectors, offering citizens a variety of attractions and entertainment related to North Korea.

Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho speaks during a conference with private organizations at Government Complex Seoul, Jan. 29. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-bin

A special event for defector families, highlighting the city government's initiatives to support their settlement, will be held at Seoul City Hall on Friday.

A program specifically for North Korean defector parents and children will take place on Saturday, designed to assist those struggling to adapt to South Korea's education system, which differs significantly from North Korea's.

Experts will deliver special lectures on improving academic performance, and the city government will introduce Seoul Learn, its education reform policy aimed at supporting disadvantaged students in the capital. Since July, the program has been expanded to include children of North Korean defectors.

On Sunday, North Korean Defectors' Day, the city government, the unification ministry and the Korea Hana Foundation will host a variety of cultural events at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). These include performances by North Korean artists, exhibitions of products made by defectors, opportunities to experience North Korean costumes and a fashion show.

A woman watches a video reflecting the reality of North Korean human rights during an exhibition held at Seoul Citizens Hall, Monday. Yonhap

Furthermore, Seoul Citizens Hall features an exhibition that educates visitors on the realities of life in North Korea and highlights the value of human rights and freedom. The exhibition, which began on Monday, will run through Saturday.

At the photo exhibition on North Korean Human Rights, Kang Dong-wan, a professor of political science at Dong-A University, showcases his work capturing the lives of North Koreans along the Tumen River. The exhibition also features a video reflecting on the state of human rights in North Korea.

"In commemoration of the first North Korean Defectors' Day, we hope that both South and North Korean citizens will appreciate the importance of freedom and human rights, and foster mutual understanding and consideration," said Lee Dong-ryul, head of the Administration Bureau of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

"We will continue to support North Korean defectors, helping them integrate comfortably as our neighbors and lead happy, fulfilling lives."