By   Ruby Hwang
ChristianityDaily Reporter

▲Washington D.C. demonstration at Chinese embassy protesting the repatriation of North Korean refugee

North Korea Freedom Week 2008 is a week devoted to promote freedom and human rights for the people of North Korea and to focus the world's attention on their suffering. The first event was on Saturday, April 26, demonstration at Chinese embassies around the world protesting the repatriation of North Korean refugees. Demonstrations against China's policy took place in 6 U.S. cities and around the world including South Korea and Japan as the Olympic torch passed through those nations.

Additional major Washington D.C. events include a Capitol Hill Rally for the North Korean people on Tuesday April 29 at the Taft Memorial Carillon Park, with music at 11am by the Pyongyang Musical Mission Troupe and program at noon, and a Press Conference with Senator Sam Brownback and Congressman Frank Wolf on Thursday, May 1.

There will be a delegation of 21 North Korean defectors who will be the largest ever to participate in North Korea Freedom Week since its inception that will testify and speak out publicly about the atrocities of Kim Jong Il regime and the plight of refugees who flee North Korea trying to reach freedom.

"The North Korean people are the most persecuted in the world," said Suzanne Scholte, Chairman of the North Korea Freedom Coalition. "But because we cannot see the suffering with our own eyes, we ignore it. Having these brave defectors speak and give eyewitness testimony is one of the most critical aspects of North Korea Freedom Week.”

The organizations involved in the week’s events are Open Doors which is spearheading a lobby campaign for legislative initiatives aimed at promoting human rights in North Korea, while the Peterson Institute, the American Enterprise Institute, PSALT, the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and its Task Force on Religious Freedom, the Korean American Church Coalition for North Korea Freedom, and the Defense Forum Foundation are organizing panel sessions, forums, briefings and prayer services throughout the week to address human rights concerns in North Korea.

The producer of the soon-to-be-released film Crossing Patrick Cheh will show a special screening of the film that is scheduled for theatrical release in South Korea in June. Crossing is the first feature film to deal with the refugee crisis in North Korea with a star studded cast.

North Korea Freedom Week is an annual event organized by the North Korean Freedom Coalition the events will run from April 26 through May 3.