Support for North Korean Refugees

Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center is an all-volunteer non-profit in Seoul that has matched 315 North Korean refugees with 650 volunteer English tutors and coaches since its founding in 2013.

It aims to assist North Korean refugees in preparing for their futures and transitioning to life outside of North Korea by providing them with free English learning opportunities. Refugees develop Individual Education Plans identifying their learning goals to plan for future academic and employment opportunities. At monthly “language matching” sessions, refugees can choose multiple tutors or coaches. This gives refugees flexibility to study at their convenience developing different English skills with a variety of tutors from different countries using diverse teaching styles in a range of accents.

Your support can help keep activities free for refugees so they can study without financial hardship being a barrier.

In November 2016, the Ministry of Unification in South Korea reported that the number of North Korean refugees escaping to South Korea had surpassed 30,000. Various media report various challenges that refugees face in adjusting to South Korea. An estimated 35 percent of refugees are unemployed, 80 percent work in menial jobs, and refugees who are employed earn 50% of what South Koreans earn.

Escaping North Korea is the first battle many refugees face. Many report that English is a major barrier for many of them, as they struggle with "Konglish" words that have seeped into the South Korean language. TNKR helps refugees by connecting them with volunteer tutors. Since its founding in March 2013, TNKR has connected 315 refugees with more than 650 volunteer tutors and coaches.