N. Korean defector urges attention on human rights situation at democracy summit

SEOUL, A young North Korean defector called Tuesday for more global attention on the North's human rights situation during the third Summit of Democracy hosted by South Korea this week. Kim Il-hyeok made the plea during the opening ceremony on the second day of the summit, a U.S.-led multinational gathering formed to boost solidarity and shared values among democratic countries. Stressing the dire human rights condition of the North, he urged the participants to "know the reality of the North Korean system" and join him "in fighting for the freedom and rights of the North Korean people." Kim said he had realized only after defecting to South Korea that the individual freedom and rights stated in the North's constitution were merely "on paper." North Korea has long been accused of grave human rights abuses, ranging from holding political prisoners in concentration camps to committing torture and carrying out public executions. Still, North Korea claims its people are freely enjoying genuine human rights. Uzra Zeya, under secretary of state for civilian security, democracy and human rights, delivered her congratulatory speech, emphasizing that "civil society is integral to the success of democracies, and collaboration across regions, sectors and generations is integral to democratic renewal." She also stressed the importance of rallying "collective action to push back against attempts to silence civil society's voices both online and offline." Source: Yonhap News Agency