The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Sat, February 27, 2021 | 07:04
-------------------------
NK Defectors’ Groups to Get US Gov’t Aid
Posted : 2009-02-01 16:21
Updated : 2009-02-01 16:21
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter

The U.S. Department of State will directly provide groups organized by North Korean defectors here with financial support for the first time, according to reports Sunday.

Thus far, Washington has funded local groups working for improvement of North Korean human rights via the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a private organization supporting freedom around the world.

The move was construed as part of increased U.S. efforts to shed light on humanitarian issues in the Stalinist state.

The State Department posted a notice on the Human Rights Democracy Fund (HRDF) last September and about 50 organizations reportedly applied for the program.

Among the beneficiaries, Free North Korea Radio and the Coalition for North Korean Women's Rights were granted $500,000 and $300,000, respectively.

The groups will receive a certain amount of money every month for two to three years in accordance with their performance.

Kang Su-jin, founder and representative of the coalition, said she thinks that the U.S. department aims at nurturing North Korean defectors as future leaders through the direct funding.

An official of the department was quoted as saying on condition of anonymity by Radio Free Asia (RFA) that a total of $3 million has been set aside for the program.

But the official refused to elaborate on grantees, saying the issue was ``very sensitive.''

The HRDF has been used to monitor and promote human rights and democracy worldwide since its establishment in 1998.

Meanwhile, Suzanne Scholte, president of the Defense Forum Foundation (DFF), saw the direct assistance positively, saying, ``It's a great development and it certainly shows the commitment of our State Department in helping both South Korean NGOs and North Korean defector NGOs.''

The DFF is a nonprofit organization that sponsors educational programs on foreign affairs, defense, national security and human rights issues.

ksy@koreatimes.co.kr









 
 
  • 12-year-old boy accused of terrorist threat at Incheon airport
  • Korea begins mass vaccination
  • Non-Korean victims, scholars, civic groups join protest against Ramseyer's paper on sex slavery
  • Gov't to provide 'COVID-19 vaccine certificate'
  • Attorney insists sexual assault allegations against Ki Sung-yueng are true
  • Artist, feminists at loggerheads over sex doll artwork at MMCA
  • Dwindling population's impact on the Korean stock market?
  • First day of Korea's mass vaccination drive [PHOTOS]
  • Korea to extend current social distancing measures for 2 weeks
  • US court orders North Korea to pay $2.3 billion over 1968 USS Pueblo seizure
  • Premiere of 'Dear. M' postponed after Park hye-su accused of bullying Premiere of 'Dear. M' postponed after Park hye-su accused of bullying
  • Ex-T-ara singer Soyeon's stalker under probe for trespassing on her home Ex-T-ara singer Soyeon's stalker under probe for trespassing on her home
  • Netflix to invest $500 million in Korea in 2021 Netflix to invest $500 million in Korea in 2021
  • Netflix shows confidence in streaming war, unveils must-watch original series Netflix shows confidence in streaming war, unveils must-watch original series
  • Lady Gaga's dog walker shot; the star offers $500,000 reward to find her stolen French bulldogs Lady Gaga's dog walker shot; the star offers $500,000 reward to find her stolen French bulldogs
DARKROOM
  • Earth is suffering

    Earth is suffering

  • NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

    NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

  • Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

    Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

  • Our children deserve better: Part 3

    Our children deserve better: Part 3

  • Mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign starts: Part 2

    Mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign starts: Part 2

  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • 고충처리인
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright