Suzanne Scholte: The Battle for Human Rights in North Korea: Is There Any Hope?

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Suzanne K. Scholte is one of the world’s leading activists in the North Korea human rights movement having worked for over 18 years to promote the freedom, human rights and dignity of the North Korean people. Scholte began a program in 1996 to host the first North Korean defectors in the United States to speak out about the atrocities being committed against the people of North Korea including the political prison camps and the horrific treatment of refugees. She has led international efforts to pressure China to end their horrific repatriation policy and has been involved in the rescue of hundreds of North Koreans escaping from North Korea. Currently, she serves as President of the Defense Forum Foundation; Chairman, North Korea Freedom Coalition; Vice-Chairman, Committee for Human Rights in North Korea; and Honorary Chairman, Free North Korea Radio.

North Korea is one of the greatest threats to global security. Armed with nuclear weapons, the rogue state continues to threaten preemptive nuclear strikes against South Korea and Japan. It is actively developing longer-range missiles and may already have warheads small enough to target the homeland. It sponsors terrorism and drug trafficking abroad while deliberately starving its own people at home. High profile defections and infighting within the regime make North Korea more dangerous as the government desperately avoids collapse.