Travel Tips

Voluntourism Spotlight: Help North Korean Defectors in Seoul

Locations in this article:  Seoul, South Korea

Arirang North KoreaAdjusting to life outside North Korea is difficult for many defectors. If you’re visiting Seoul, you can aid PSCORE Human Rights organization in making the transition easier for those now living in South Korea. US Travelers are especially in need to help as tutors and translators. Tune into Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio on Saturday for more information on the PSCORE program and check back every Wednesday for more voluntourism opportunities

South Korea is home to an estimates 20,000 North Korean defectors. Many of these defectors are students with have poor academic skills who have had difficulty adjusting to South Korean life. Statistics show that these students have lower success rates in school than natural-born South Koreans.

PSCORE exists to even the gap. The organization provides educational programs to help defectors learn about South Korean culture and history, increase English skills and socialize with students in their age group.  It works to help students succeed academically by giving them the support to adapt and offering extra tutoring for students having difficulty in basic skills. PSCORE also holds activities once a month to help North Korean students experience South Korean culture.

There are short term volunteer oppportunities with PSCORE as grant writers to assist in writing grant proposals for the organization.If you’re staying in South Korea for a longer time, internship opportunities are available. Being a bilingual English/Korean speaker is preferred but not required. This internship is available in Seoul or in Washington D.C. If you’re a bilingual in Korean/English, PSCORE can use your help as a translator. Translator volunteers will translate Korean news articles into English. This volunteer opportunity allows you to work from home once you’ve left Seoul.

If you would like to volunteer, contact the organization at pscore@pscore.org. For more information visit the PSCORE website.

By Judith Retana for PeterGreenberg.com