A recent pro-North Korea event in New York City that featured chants of “death to imperialism” drew attention for its endorsement by the New York chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), of which state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is a leading figure, as reported[1] by The New York Post.
The event, titled the “People’s Summit for Korea,” was held July 25–27 at Riverside Church in Harlem.
While Mamdani did not personally attend, his connection to the endorsing organization has sparked concern over his proximity to a gathering that repeatedly glorified the North Korean regime.
The summit was backed by several hard-left organizations, including the DSA’s International Committee. The event promoted the idea of reunifying the Korean peninsula under the rule of Kim Jong Un and denounced U.S. military and economic involvement in the region.
Over 500 attendees were present, and speakers frequently attacked the United States while praising the North Korean government, which remains one of the most repressive regimes in the world.
Brian Becker, National Director of the ANSWER Coalition, delivered a keynote speech where he said, “One of the problems that we face in the United States is the nonstop demonization and caricaturing of the DPRK.”
New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani speaks in a Malikah’s Iftar Ramadan event at the Museum of the Moving Image on March 07, 2025 in the Queens Borough of New York City.
Becker added, “What happens here in the belly of the beast, in the center of imperialism, would make all the difference in the world…for those yearning to take the socialist path.”
Becker is associated with several far-left organizations, including the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which was also listed as a supporter of the summit.
That same group has drawn national scrutiny due to its past connections, including with Elias Rodriguez, who is accused of fatally shooting two Israeli embassy workers at the Capitol Jewish Museum in May.
Other speakers linked the Palestinian cause to North Korea’s struggle against the United States. A speaker identified as “Tamar G.” from the Palestinian Youth Movement said:
“Palestinians increasingly see the movement in North Korea as similar to their own as both are engaged in battles to dismantle a U.S. imperialist outpost.”
The Middle East Media Research Institute reported that the summit included workshops focused on building pro-North Korean student movements on American college campuses.
Political strategist Hank Sheinkopf criticized Mamdani’s association with the summit, stating:
“What does it tell New York’s Chinese and Korean immigrants who fled to the city to get away from oppressive regimes? It tells them that if you support Mamdani the people who are with him are going to do terrible things to us.”
Betsy Yoon, an assistant professor at Baruch College and a board member of Nodutdol, spoke at the event. She has led multiple delegations to North Korea and is part of a nonprofit pushing for U.S. troop withdrawal from the Korean peninsula.
The Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI), which tracks extremist activity, issued an intelligence report on the summit. It described the rhetoric as “revolutionary” and said the content was “closely aligned with North Korean state propaganda.”
NCRI’s report stated, “The summit, vocal in its radical content and ideological proximity to foreign adversaries, was nonetheless formally endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America.”
The event also received support from nonprofits tied to Neville Singham, a U.S.-born socialist billionaire now based in Shanghai.
Singham has been linked to anti-Israel protests across New York City, particularly those held after the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel that killed 1,200 and resulted in 251 hostages, some of whom are still being held.
In addition to Mamdani, the DSA continues to support the political campaigns of other progressive figures, including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
