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Mar. 30  2024
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Human rights event to feature music and poetry for prisoners of conscience

A human rights organization is speaking up for their cause through a concert that will feature a mix of punk, rock, pop and poetry.

Source  :  BASE21


By Sarah Chee / BASE21 Contributing Writer
(chee5192@hotmail.com)

A human rights organization is speaking up for their cause through a concert that will feature a mix of punk, rock, pop and poetry.

Minkahyup, a civic association of family members of democratic martyrs sacrificed by Korea's military dictatorships, will hold the 13th Night of Song and Poetry for Prisoners of Conscience Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. at Jangchung Stadium.

The concert will feature performers such as famed punk rockers Crying Nut, Jun In-kwon of Dulgookwha fame, the "Diva of Hot" Lee Eun-mi and folk singer extraordinaire An Chi-whan with his band, Freedom. All groups are performing without compensation.

Commemorating the 53rd anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights (Dec. 10, 1948), the concert is partly a celebration and overall evaluation of human rights in South Korea, in line with the UN charter.

The theme this year is "Goodbye, 113." The number 113 represents both the current number of prisoners of conscience in South Korea as well as the hotline number used to report "suspicious spy activities" to the government.

"The number is a symbol of national security ideology, a way of encouraging people to report on their neighbors, and it was and is used to violate human rights," said Nam Gyu-sun, secretary general of Minkahyup.

This year's event will highlight the case of Yang Won-jun, a young Jehovah's Witness imprisoned for refusing military service based on his religious belief of non-violence. He is currently serving a three-year sentence in military prison, although the term for military service is normally 27 months. Minkahyup said there are currently over 1,600 young men who, like Yang, are imprisoned for refusing military service due to their religious beliefs.

The concert will kick off with the singing of "Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer." Rudolf was picked on for having a red nose by other reindeer, and the singing of this song will be an opportunity to reflect on the discrimination faced by those of different religions, regions, skin color, sexual orientation, age and appearance in Korea, states the press release.

Approximately 10,000 people attended last year's concert. Asked why it is so popular, Nam said, "Because it is simply a great concert. A lot of people put an enormous amount of energy, sincerity, and affection into organizing this event."

Tickets are 15,000 won, and can be purchased online at www.ticketpark.com, www.ticketlink.co.kr, or by calling the Minkahyup office at 02-763-2606 (Korean speakers only). For more information, log on to the Minkahyup website at www.minkahyup.org


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