Ho-taek Lee is a social activist who has dedicated himself to the human rights of North Korean defectors and refugees for over 30 years.

In 1999, he founded the nonprofit organization Shelter, pioneering domestic refugee support. Particularly since 2011, he has directly operated refugee shelters, providing a refuge for refugees who have entered South Korea, while also offering multifaceted support for their stable settlement, including legal, interpretation, livelihood, and medical assistance. Furthermore, he has contributed significantly to the advancement of human rights in South Korea by advocating for the establishment of the Refugee Act, which was enacted in 2013, making South Korea the first country in Asia to do so.