On 21 May 2019 the Human Security programme had the pleasure of welcoming Jerome Sauvage for a guest lecture about Humanitarian Work in North Korea. Mr. Sauvage worked for UNDP as a UN Resident Coordinator in DPR Korea from November 2009 to January 2013, providing emergency and humanitarian response, negotiating operating conditions with the North Korean Government, raising funds for programmes and re-opening the UNDP office after a three-year hiatus.

During his lecture he gave a presentation about how international NGOs are trying to work in North Korea and what kind of work is possible in this situation. Furthermore, he talked about his living conditions in North Korea for 3 years, and how he coped with challenging conditions such as constant surveillance. While he was stationed in North Korea, he experienced the death of Kim Jong Il and the regime change that followed.