The 2nd international conference on North Korean human rights has kicked off in Seoul, jointly hosted by U.S. nonprofit organization, Freedom House, and South Korean conservative organizations.

On Thursday, the first day of the conference, organizers will hold a welcome reception and a briefing on activities promoting North Korean human rights at the Shilla Hotel.

Numerous dignitaries from home and abroad will take part in the reception, including main opposition Grand National Party Chairwoman Park Geun-hye, U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Alexander Vershbow, and U.S. special envoy on North Korea's human rights Jay Lefkowitz.

The second day will see the leaders' forum and a conference on a North Korean human rights improvement strategy, followed by a meeting for NGOs.

On the final day, a symposium for international university students will take place at Sookmyung Women’s Univerity while a concert dedicated to publicizing the North Korean human rights issue will play in front of Seoul City Hall.

The international conference on North Korean human rights had its first meeting in Washington last July. The third is slated to convene in March in Brussels, Belgium