A "Save My Friends" concert intended to block China from deporting North Korean defectors was held at Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul Sunday.

More than 60 civic groups including the Save My North Korean Friends Network and the North Korean Refugees Human Rights Association of Korea hosted the concert, which was convened at the suggestion of Rep. Park Sun-young of the minor conservative Liberty Forward Party. Hosted by singer Kim Heung-guk, the event brought together more than 200 people, families of defectors and government officials.

A young former defector played the saxophone with the aim of “spreading to the international community the wish of South Koreans who oppose the forced deportation of North Korean defectors.” Vietnamese violist Tran Hu Kuok and his wife Cho Eun-young played “Greetings of Love.” Pianist and former defector Kim Cheol-ung performed a self-composed song expressing opposition to repatriation.

The Youth Union of Politics and Diplomacy gathered signatures protesting China`s forced repatriation of defectors from more than 1,700 middle and high school students nationwide and handed them to Rep. Park. Youth Union of Politics and Diplomacy Chairman Park In-gyu, 17, said, “Students interested in the North Korean defector issue voluntarily participated in the signature collection campaign,” adding, “We teenagers would also like to extend a helping hand just like grownups.”

A former defector who attended the concert with his two children said, “I`m very grateful that such an event has been organized,” adding, “Since this issue is about myself and my family, I have strong hope that the public will continue paying attention going forward.”

Rep. Park said, “North Korean defectors risk their lives and are struggling amid fears in a unwelcoming foreign land,” adding, “The concert, which is taking place just ahead of the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, will symbolize new hope in that North Korean defectors, foreign artists and (South) Koreans get together and unite.”

pibak@donga.com