International efforts to garner attention for human rights abuses in North Korea have been “very scattered,” South Korea’s outgoing ambassador for North Korean human rights Lee Shin-wha told NK News in an exclusive interview. 

“My heart is even heavier because I’m afraid nothing has changed,” Lee, a political science and international relations professor at Korea University, said while reflecting on her two-year tenure. 

Lee took up the role after the position was left vacant for five years under the previous Moon Jae-in administration.

She also spoke about her achievements in raising global awareness about the DPRK’s human rights issues, the