Debates surrounding North Korea are primarily focused on security issues, particularly nuclear and ballistic concerns, relegating the critical situation of the North Korean population and human rights violations to the background. The lack of information about the real living conditions of North Koreans contributes to the absence of attention and discussion on this crucial issue.

This seminar aims to bridge that gap by exploring a recent book that provides a direct account of a North Korean refugee. The co-authors of The Hard Road Out (Harper Collins, 2022) will share their perspectives and testimonies, offering unique insights into the realities faced by North Korean defectors.

This event will provide an opportunity to discuss the human rights situation in North Korea and the tragic economic circumstances facing its population.

Program
Welcome remarks
H.E. MOON Seoung-hyun, Ambassador of South Korea to France
Marc JULIENNE, Director, Center for Asian Studies, IFRI

Panel
Chair: 
Françoise NICOLAS, Senior Advisor, Center for Asian Studies, IFRI

Speakers:

Jihyun PARK, Senior Fellow for Human Security, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy (CAPS) ; North Korean refugee and co-author of the book The Hard Road Out
Seh-Lynn CHAI, co-author of the book The Hard Road Out
Arnaud LEVEAU, Founding Director of Alta Strategies, Associate Professor at Université Paris Dauphine, and Member of the Advisory Board of Asia Centre