Why PSCORE Club?

Politics and Human Rights

The Human Rights record of North Korea is hard to fully assess, due to the secretive and closed nature of the country. Since citizens cannot freely leave the country, it is mainly from stories of refugees and defectors that the nation's Human Rights record has been constructed. A number of Human Rights organizations and governments have condemned North Korea's Human Rights record, including Amnesty International and the United Nations. In its 2006 country report on North Korea, the American government-funded Freedom House alleged that the country is "a totalitarian dictatorship". North Korea has been an authoritarian regime since its foundation in 1948. After the Korean War (1950-53) Kim Il sung formed a strong and oppressive government that supervises every step of its citizens. Kim Il sung’s son, Kim Jong Il, succeeded his father in 1994 and has now in turn been succeeded by his son, Kim Jong un. Together with the army the regime’s grip over the nation has increased for every year. The people of North Korea are today living under a harsh dictatorship with no human rights what so ever. They are living without water, electricity or basic healthcare, while the elite ignore their plights in order to stay in power. North Korea is a country where the people are dying from starvation while the leaders are more eager to develop nuclear weapons. Where people are executed for minor crimes. This is a situation that we cannot tolerate any longer. We think it is time for action!

Prison camps

North Korea has several prison camps where dissidents, suspected opposition and relatives of suspected political criminals are being kept, most of the time for life. The prison camps comprise prison labor colonies in secluded mountain valleys, completely isolated from the outside world. The total number of prisoners is estimated to be close to 200,000, if not more. The North Korean government denies all allegations of Human Rights violations in prison camps, claiming that this is prohibited by criminal procedure law, but former prisoners testify that there are completely different rules in the gulags. Women undergo forced abortions, newborn babies are beaten to death, children are used for slave labor, and thousands every year are brutally murdered or worked to death. The prisoners are forced to perform hard and dangerous slave work with primitive means in mining and agriculture. The food rations are very small, so that the prisoners are constantly on the brink of starvation. In combination with the hard work this leads to huge numbers of prisoners dying. An estimated 40% of prisoners die from malnutrition. Moreover many prisoners are crippled from work accidents, frostbite or torture.

Famine

The North Korean famine, known as the Arduous March, began in the early 1990s. In the early 1990s, the economy of North Korea was on the precipice of collapse. From the 1950s up until 1989, the agricultural, industrial, and energy sectors grew with infrastructure being consistently reinvested in by surpluses in the national account balance. However, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, North Korea entered a period of steep internal industrial decline. Without the help from former allies, North Korea was unable to adequately respond to the coming crisis. The economic decline and failed policies provided the context for the famine in the early 1990s, but the floods and storms of the mid-1990s provided the catalyst. More specifically, the floods in July 1995 were described as being "of biblical proportions" by independent observers. As devastating floods savaged the country in 1995-96, arable land, harvests, grain reserves, social and economic infrastructure were destroyed.  Estimates state that, from a population of approximately 22 million, between 900,000 and 3.5 million people died from starvation or hunger-related illnesses, with the deaths peaking in 1997.

Lack of Press freedom

The media of North Korea are among the most strictly controlled in the world. The constitution provides for freedom of speech and the press; however, the government prohibits the exercise of these rights in practice, unless it is in praise of the country and its government and leader. The government not only tightly controls all information coming in and out of the country, but seeks to mold information at its source. Reporters Without Borders has consistently ranked North Korea at or near the bottom of its yearly Press Freedom Index since it was first issued in 2002. The press is tightly controlled by the state. The North Korean Constitution protects freedom of speech and freedom of the press, but only if expressions are supportive of the government and the ruling party, the Workers' Party of Korea. As stated in the Constitution, the role of the press is to: "...serve the aims of strengthening the dictatorship of the proletariat, bolstering the political unity and ideological conformity of the people and rallying them behind the Party and the Great Leader in the cause of revolution."

What you can do?

‘People for Successful COrean Reunification’ (PSCORE), was established in October 2006, by young North Korean defectors, South Korean university students, and foreigners interested in improving human rights in North Korea and reunifying the Korean peninsula. PSCORE is a non-profit, non-religious, non-partisan NGO based in Seoul, affiliated with no political organizations. PSCORE strives for mutual understanding and harmony between the two Koreas and aims to provide a platform to discuss topics such as democratization, human rights and social issues. We hope to bridge the gap between South Korea, North Korea and the international community. We are hoping that You will be part of making PSCORE grow and raising the awareness. As part of our expansion we are looking for motivated youths who are willing to work for the North Korean issue in their hometown. You will provide you with inspiration and creativity, and we will provide you with material and support. We are hoping for you to work with us, and with the help from our staff organize events and campaigns at your school, your workplace or in your local community. We are hoping for you to enlighten your friends, your neighborhood or your local politicians about the suffering people and the horrendous situation in North Korea. Join PSCORE in the fight for Human Rights in North Korea!

Who is PSCORE?

PSCORE is a non-profit, non-religious, non-partisan NGO based in Seoul, South Korea.  PSCORE strives for mutual understanding and harmony between the two Koreas and aims to provide a platform to discuss topics such as democratization, human rights and social issues. We hope to bridge the gap between South Korea, North Korea and the international community. We are not affiliated with any political organizations.

PSCORE is an acronym for ‘People for Successful COrean REunification; using the ‘C’ represents the pre-20th century connotation of the word Korea. 

What is the purpose of PSCORE?

 PSCORE has two primary objectives:.

•  To encourage harmony and understanding between North and South Korea through education, awareness campaigns, and discussion. 
• To address potential barriers to reunification of the Korean peninsula and suggest alternatives to minimize these. For example, many South Koreans worry that reunification would be detrimental for the South Korean economy because it would be forced to absorb the North's immense poverty. PSCORE creates space for discussion of issues such as these, and encourages creative and innovative responses.

When was PSCORE established?

PSCORE was established in October 2006, by young North Korean defectors, South Korean university students, and foreigners interested in improving human rights in North Korea and reunifying the Korean peninsula.

Why should you start a PSCORE Club?

PSCORE Club is a new initiative with the goal of gaining more international participation. 

Here are a few reasons why PSCORE would love for you to start a club:

1.      Raise awareness amongst your surrounding community about pressing issues - regarding North Korea  and North Korean refugees - that often get ignored in the mainstream (and alternative) media.

2.      Pressure the International Community to pay more attention to the Human Rights Violations taking place in North Korea.  This can be done through campaigns, protests and/or petitions (to name a few).

3.      Support North Korean refugees through monetary and non-monetary donations to help provide defectors with the well-being they rightfully deserve. (http://pscore.org/donation)

Some initial steps:

1.      Become educated on both the history of North and South Korea and on current events.  See our resource list for book, movie and journal recommendations. (link to list).

2.      Connect with the person in charge of club membership at your school/ university/ local club and learn what steps you need to take to become recognized as an official club (this status often offers you certain privileges like use of photocopiers, space and sometimes even a monetary budget!)

3.      Create a plan.  What types of initiatives would you like to start?  Are you interested in holding campaigns? Fundraising? Letter writing?  Don’t feel pressured to do them all.  Pick one that interests your group and dedicate yourselves towards a goal!  (see example here)

4.      Promote!  Get the word out about the exciting opportunity to be a part of positive change.  (email PSCORE for promotional material)

Campaign Networks: Raising awareness about the North Korean situation is the most valuable thing you could do to help. Read up on the human rights abuses committed every day in North Korea and the important distinction between the North Korean government and the North Korean people that are made to suffer, making use of the suggested reading materials and resources available on the PSCORE website, and let others know about it. Don’t hesitate to contact us for any materials, information leaflets or advice you may need to carry out your campaign.

Charity/ fundraising Ideas: Have fun and do good! Brainstorm on fun ideas on raising funds for our cause, whether it be collections, concerts, performances or sponsored activities, and plan it carefully. If you decide to collect outside, make sure to keep it legal and get the necessary licences beforehand. Concerts and performances at your schools, universities or workplace are a great way to get those around you interested whilst sharing your talent. Sponsored activities are quick and easy to organize, and you can also get your friends and family involved to help you. It can be as simple as a sponsored silence, or as daring as a sponsored bungee-jumping.

Where does our money go?

We are a nonprofit organization that aims to fund itself, so the money you raise and donate will be greatly appreciated and used well. Every penny raised helps us work towards our vision of a well-integrated North Korean community within South Korea through educational support, 1-1 advice, continual research and raising awareness of the North Korean human rights issue, paving our way to the ending of the grave human rights violations in North Korea.

What YOU can DO to HELP

1.      Donate! There are opportunities to donate both money and materials.  See our donation page for more information on how your monetary or non-monetary donation can help North Korean defectors. (see donation page here - http://pscore.org/donation)

2.      Become informed!  See our suggested book/video list to become up to date on how North Korea became what it is today.  Have suggestions for new material? Send them in so that we can update our sources. (http://pscore.org/ click on Media or email pscore@pscore.org with your suggestions)

3.      Living in Korea? You can find volunteering opportunities on our website. Volunteer your time with PSCORE as a tutor to help North Koreans reach their educational goals.  Korean speaking volunteers can assist with subjects such as math, science, computers etc., while English speaking volunteers can assist with English studies. Others include monthly cultural excursions, English classes, 1-1 tutoring, event organization and internship opportunities. (http://pscore.org/ click on Education Program)

4.      Living outside of Korea? You can still join the cause by starting a PSCORE Club in your College, University, Church etc.   Talk about current issues and make plans on how you can support North Koreans from your hometown. (see club page)

5.      Check out our Special Projects!  PSCORE is always preparing new initiatives.  New opportunities are always coming up so make sure to stay up to date with what PSCORE is up to now.  (provide special projects list for example – graphic artist for testimony book)

성통만사-PSCORE 클럽

전 세계에서 북한의 인권개선에 관심이 있는 젊은 여러분, 당신이 소속되어 있는 학교 혹은 종교단체에서  ‘PSCORE 클럽’을 만들어 북한의 인권현실에 대해 알리고 북한이탈주민들을 도울 수 있는 방법을 찾으세요
 

왜 클럽활동을 해야 할까요?

1.       북한 주민들은 폭력, 두려움, 억압이 계속되는 정권 아래 살고 있습니다. 많은 탈북자들은 이런 끔찍한 상황에서 벗어난다 해도 어떤 법적 지위도 인정 받지 못한 채 북한으로 송환될 두려움 속에 살고 있거나, 탈출 이후의 생활을 보장받지 못하고 살고 있습니다. 이런 인권침해의 실상은 대중 매체에서 많이 다뤄지지 않기 때문에 외면 받게 됩니다. 스스로 북한인권문제에 관심을 가지고 주변 사람들에게 알림으로써, 나아가 우리 사회의 인식을 높이는데 당신의 클럽활동이 작지만 큰 도움이 될 수 있습니다!

2.       성통만사는 북한인권문제에 대한 국내, 나아가 국제사회의 관심도를 보다 높이고 개선을 위한 압력을 가하기 위해 힘쓰고 있습니다. 캠페인, 청원, 시위 등의 적절한 방법을 통해 우리사회가 북한인권문제에 대해 좀 더 관심을 가지고 개선해 나갈 수 있도록 클럽활동을 할 수 있습니다.

3.       클럽 내에서 계획한 특별한 자금조달/ 기금 모금 활동을 통해 탈북자들의 인권보호와 좀 더 나은 정착을 위하여 후원해 주세요. (http://www.pscore.org/donation/index_kr.html)
 

클럽활동 단계

1.     준비하기: 남북한의 역사와 지금 북한의 인권침해의 실태에 대해서 직접 조사하거나, 성통만사가 제공하는 북한 정보 자료와 수기, 다큐멘터리 들을 통해 배우기. 각종 자료는 성통만사 웹사이트를 확인해 주세요.

      - PSCORE Club을 위해 제공할 수 있는 각종 활동자료 : http://pscore.org/xe/114548

      - 북한과 관련된 퀴즈문제 (1) : http://pscore.org/xe/114550

      - 북한과 관련된 퀴즈문제 (2) : http://pscore.org/xe/114555

      - 탈북자 수기 : http://pscore.org/xe/episode

      - PSCORE Club 1년 활동 예제 : http://pscore.org/xe/114559 (외국 고등학교 1년 3학기 기준)

2.     계획하기: 클럽을 결성하고 클럽멤버들과 함께 어떤 방식으로 캠페인 또는 모금 행사를 진행할 것 인지 결정하고 계획하기. 캠페인, 지원모금 행사, 서명운동 등 클럽 내에서 체계적으로 역할을 분담하고, 학교나 지역 단체 안에서 공식적으로 클럽활동을 하고 있다면 어떤 지켜야 할 규제나 받을 수 있는 지원이 정확하게 알고 쓸 수 있는 자원을 최대한 활용하세요.

3.     홍보하기: 클럽활동과 목적을 많은 사람들에게 알리고 어떤 방법으로 긍정적인 변화에 동참할 수 있는지 홍보하기. 필요한 정보나 자원이 있다면, 또는 성통만사의 도움이나 조언을 받고 싶으시다면 연락하세요.

4.     활동하기: 즐기는 마음으로 클럽 활동하기!
 

캠페인 활동

북한인권문제에 대한 사람들의 인식을 높이는 것만큼 중요한 일이 없습니다. 북한에서 매일 비일비재하게 일어나는 인권유린과, 북한의 독재 정부와 고통을 받고 있는 북한주민들을 별도로 인식하는 것의 필요성에 대해 많은 사람들에게 알려주세요. 학교나 지역 단체 내, 또는 거리에서 인권개선 캠페인을 하거나 실태를 알리는 홍보자료를 나눠주거나 국제기관이나 정부에 보낼 청원서에 서명을 받는 등 다양한 활동을 할 수 있습니다. 성통만사의 도움이나 조언을 받고 싶다면 연락하세요.
 

자선 활동 및 기금 모금

평소에 하고 싶었던 재미있는 일도 하고 좋은 일도 하세요! 성금 모으기, 공연 및 연주회, 기금 모음/ 자선 활동 등 할 수 있는 일은 많습니다.

거리에서 성금을 모으거나 공연할 계획이 있다면 필요가 허가/ 면허를 미리 받는 것도 잊지 마세요. 학교나 지연 단체에서 공연이나 연주회를 여는 것은 주위사람들에게 인권문제에 관심을 갖게 하고 숨겨온 실력도 뽐낼 수 있는 일석이조의 기회입니다.
 

모은 기금은 어디에 쓰이나요?

성통만사는 북한의 인권개선과 통일을 위해 활동하고 있는 NGO 단체이며, 활동에 필요한 기금을 스스로 마련하고자 하기에 금전적 또는 비금전적 후원을 감사한 마음으로 받고 있습니다.

 - 성통만사는 북한이탈 주민들과 청소년을 대상으로 1:1 과외연결, 문화활동, 수요영어교실 등의 교육지원 프로그램을 진행하고 있으며

 - 북한의 인권개선과 민주주의를 위해 세미나, 캠페인, 동영상 공모전, 에세이 공모전 등 여러 다양한 활동을 하고 있습니다.

 - 또 목숨을 걸고 북한을 탈출한 북한이탈주민들이 안전하게 중국 또는 제3국에 머물거나 한국에 입국해 자유롭게 생활 할 수 있도록 돕고 있습니다.

 - 뿐만 아니라 북한주민들을 통해 북한의 여러 정보를 수집하고 자체적이고 독창적인 홍보자료를 만들어 인터넷과 거리 캠페인, 세미나 등을 통해 북한 인권 문제에 대한 국내, 나아가 국제사회의 관심도를 보다 높이고 개선을 위한 압력을 가하기 위해 힘쓰고 있습니다. (자세한 활동내역은 http://www.pscore.org 에서 확인하세요)
 

 기부하신 모든 금액은 북한이탈주민이 한국생활에 잘 적응하고, 융화 될 수 있도록, 또 북한인권문제를 널리 알려 보다 빨리 개선될 수 있도록, 성공적인 통일의 기틀을 마련하기 위해 쓰여지고 있습니다.

어떤 방법으로든 기부하거나 도움의 손길을 내밀고 싶은 마음이 있다면 주저 말고 연락 주세요. (http://www.pscore.org 또는 email pscore@pscore.org )