Myeonghee's fundraiser for FSI

This moment, this platform: North Korean human rights at Harvard University and beyond
By Kim Myeong-hee

Before I defected from North Korea, I never dreamed of giving a speech at Harvard University, the top university in the world. When I was in North Korea, I thought Kim Il-sung University was the best in the world. I didn't know much about the rest of the world, and I couldn't even imagine giving a speech in English at a world-class university.

This moment and platform were an honor beyond words. Something miraculous happened on August 13th. I was one of the seven North Korean refugees who gave speeches in front of Harvard University students, officials, and people interested in North Korean human rights. I was able to inform them of the human rights violations of North Korean women.

I am an ordinary North Korean defector who has been given opportunities to do things she could have never imagined, to choose anything she wants, and the ability to move freely. I never could have imagined this when I was forcibly repatriated to North Korea twice before I finally made it to freedom after my third escape.

The international community is needed to improve human rights in North Korea. The courage shown by the North Korean defectors who spoke with me at Harvard University inspired an incredible number of people, and this became a small seed planted in the hearts and minds of each Harvard University student who attended. Together, we can put pressure on North Korea to recognize the individual human rights of North Koreans.

More seeds are needed to improve human rights in North Korea. Each North Korean defector is a witness and survivor of human rights violations in North Korea. This opportunity would not be possible without the efforts of organizations like Freedom Speakers International, which supports North Korean refugees in preparing English speeches through mentoring, and above all, makes every effort to create a global stage.

I am thankful to Casey Lartigue, a Harvard graduate, and his FSI co-founder Lee Eun-koo giving us this opportunity. Together, FSI, Harvard officials and students, volunteers and supporters and others who helped us stand on the global stage can make a difference with others who can join us from now. I sincerely hope these efforts will bear fruit and the people of North Korea will live with their basic rights protected and guaranteed.

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Editor's note: Kim Myeong-hee was the Grand Prize winner of the 19th “I am from North Korea” English speech contest, presented by Freedom Speakers International, at Harvard University on April 13, 2024. Her mentor for the contest was FSI Academic Advisor Gregory Gresko.

After winning the contest, she donated her prize money to Freedom Speakers International.