The National Human Rights Commission of Korea published ‘Korean-English Glossary for North Korean Human Rights Term’ in a bid to promote and support researches and activities regarding North Korean human rights.
When carrying out research and activities related to North Korean human rights, North Korean terms are regularly used. With prolonged division of Korea into two disparate systems, the same Korean words carry different meanings in the South Korean and North Korean languages as the terminologies themselves differ. That is why it is difficult for even native-Koreans and non-native Korean speakers find the language unfamiliar and its correct pronunciation challenging.
In addition, there was a need to have systematically organized list of terms to enhance accuracy of translation or interpretation of North Korean human rights related materials.
That is why the NHRCK selected 549 frequently used North Korean terms related to human rights. Each term is written in Chinese letter, Roman alphabet and equivalent term in English along with explanation about the term in Korean and English to enhance understanding on the term.
In addition, the glossary is well-indexed and every term has its own number so that users can easily find the terms that they are interested in.
Moreover, explanation about criminal trial procedures, detention facilities and Songbun Classification System is included so that people would broaden their understanding on North Korea and related terms.
The NHRCK hopes that publishment of this glossary which will be distributed to related institutions and organizations both at home and abroad would contribute to further facilitate researches and activities for North Korean human rights.
