[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
[April 30, 2008]
[Page 609]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on North Korea Freedom Week
April 30, 2008

    Laura and I send greetings to all those 
observing North Korea Freedom Week. I am deeply concerned about the 
grave human rights conditions in North Korea, especially the denial of 
universal freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, and association 
and restrictions on freedom of movement and workers' rights. I have met 
in the Oval Office with some of the brave individuals who have escaped 
from that country. I am deeply concerned by the stories of divided 
families, harsh conditions, and suffering. The United States stands with 
the North Korean people in their call for freedom. We believe it is 
every person's basic right to live in freedom and dignity. We will 
continue to support the North Korean people as they strive to achieve 
the rights and freedoms to which they are entitled as human beings. We 
look forward to the moment when we can celebrate the blessings of 
liberty with the North Korean people.