On April 13, 2024, FSI held their 19th “I am from North Korea” English speech contest at Harvard University, the first to be held internationally since the first contest in 2015. FSI’s speech contest was featured in 9 unique articles and reports (a full list is available at the bottom).
FSI’s 19th speech contest featured seven North Korean defectors speaking about their experiences in North Korea and their search for identity in South Korea. The event aimed to improve the English speaking skills of the defectors and enable them to inform Harvard students about the reality of North Korea and the challenges faced by refugees. FSI, founded in 2013, empowers North Korean speakers to share their stories with the international community in English through public speaking and publications. Currently, FSI currently has 35 members in its Keynote Speaker Network.
The winner of the 19th English speech contest was Myeonghee Kim, a 44-year-old North Korean defector who spoke about the human rights abuses she witnessed and experienced. She emphasized the need for international awareness of the suffering of North Korean women and urged action from the global community to protect them. Another participant, Hyosim Maeng, shared her experiences of living with a disabled mother in North Korea and the lack of support for disabled individuals in the country. The event not only provided a platform for the defectors to raise awareness but also allowed them to gain confidence and connect with students from a top global university.
In the Media
The Chosun Daily: Seven North Korean defectors voice human rights concerns in English at Harvard University
Boston Korea: 하버드 대학서 탈북민 영어말하기대회 개최 [North Korean Defectors English Speaking Contest Held at Harvard University]
Boston Korea: 평통, 탈북민 초청 강연회 개최 [Peace Forum to Hold Invitational Lecture for North Korean Defectors]
The Korea Herald: Seoul NGO to hold English speech contest for NK refugees at Harvard
Reposts and Excerpts
Ministry of Unification: 美 하버드대서 탈북민 7명 참석 ‘영어말하기 대회’…인권침해 등 경험 알려 [7 North Korean Defectors Attend English Speaking Contest at Harvard… Sharing Experiences Including Human Rights Violations]
Liberty Korea Post: 美 하버드대서 열린 영어말하기 대회…탈북민 7명 참석해 北 인권현실 알렸다 [English Speaking Contest Held at Harvard… 7 North Korean Defectors Attend, Revealing North Korean Human Rights Reality]
The Korea Times Daily: 하버드대서 탈북민 영어말하기 [North Korean Defectors Speak in English at Harvard]
Gangnam Times: North Korean Teenagers Killed for Watching South Korean Videos: Shocking Human Rights Abuses Revealed