Charity Organizations in North Korea

Charity Organizations in North Korea

Charity organizations working in North Korea play a crucial role in addressing the humanitarian and human rights challenges faced by the North Korean population. These organizations provide a range of services, from aiding North Korean defectors in resettling and adjusting to life in South Korea, to offering humanitarian aid and advocating for the rights of refugees and survivors of human rights violations. Organizations like Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), the Korea Hana Foundation, Christian Friends of Korea, and Korea Future focus on empowerment, advocacy, humanitarian aid, and justice, working toward the goal of long-term freedom and improved lives for North Koreans.

Liberty in North Korea

Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to supporting the North Korean people in their pursuit of freedom. The organization assists North Korean refugees in escaping the country through a covert 3,000-mile rescue route. Once refugees have successfully reached freedom, LiNK provides them with the resources and support necessary to become changemakers, advocates, and leaders who raise awareness about the challenges faced by North Koreans.

LiNK’s vision is that every individual in North Korea, regardless of age or gender, will one day be able to live freely and enjoy a fulfilling life. Their mission is centered on collaborating with the North Korean people to accelerate the progress of change, focusing on empowerment and advocacy. The organization’s efforts not only aim to help those who have escaped but also to contribute to the long-term goal of ensuring liberty for all North Koreans.

Korea Hana Foundation (KHF)

The Korea Hana Foundation (KHF) is a non-profit organization established in 2010 by the Ministry of Unification, based on the “Act on the Protection and Settlement Support for North Korean Defectors.” The organization aims to support the integration of approximately 30,000 North Korean refugees living in South Korea. 

KHF provides tailored programs to address the unique needs of these refugees, ensuring their smooth resettlement and helping them pursue their goals in their new environment. Key initiatives include support for immediate resettlement, covering medical expenses, offering employment assistance, providing education for youth, and conducting investigative studies. Through these efforts, KHF plays a vital role in helping North Korean defectors adjust to life in South Korea and achieve long-term success.

Christian Friends of Korea (CFK)

Since 1995, Christian Friends of Korea (CFK) has provided humanitarian aid to North Korea, assisting those affected by floods, diseases like tuberculosis and hepatitis, and malnutrition. CFK partners with individuals, churches, organizations, and businesses to deliver critical support to pediatric care centers, TB and hepatitis facilities in North and South Hwanghae Provinces, Kaesong, and Pyongyang. Through the generosity of donors, they have sent over $98 million worth of goods to help vulnerable populations.

CFK’s overarching goal is to glorify God by supporting the 25 million citizens of North Korea through humanitarian aid, technical projects, and developmental assistance. They focus on fostering long-term impact while demonstrating their faith through service.

Young North Koreans

Young North Koreans see studying business and economics as essential to improving their country’s standard of living, but they face significant limitations in accessing quality education and practical experience. Geoffrey, a student at the Wharton School, visited North Korea and met a university student aspiring to become a businesswoman, aiming to prove that women can excel in leadership. This encounter, along with other experiences in North Korea, inspired Geoffrey to create Choson Exchange in 2007. 

Choson Exchange, registered in Singapore, has a presence in Singapore, Vietnam, Switzerland, London, and Korea. The organization’s team, including its founder, developed a strong interest in North Korea and its people, often referred to as the “North Korea bug.” This passion fuels their desire to help the country integrate peacefully into the international community. Through Choson Exchange, the team aims to provide North Koreans with valuable skills and knowledge in business and economics, facilitating growth and international cooperation.

Korea Future

Korea Future is a non-profit organization focused on securing justice for survivors of human rights violations in North Korea’s prison system. Established in 2017 at the request of North Korean survivors, it conducts detailed investigations into these abuses and pursues legal claims on behalf of victims. The organization also advocates for policy changes to promote accountability, employing both legal and non-legal strategies.

Korea Future operates offices in The Hague, London, and Seoul, with a team that includes legal analysts, investigators, and support staff. The organization is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in the UK and a Public Benefit Organisation in the Netherlands. Their mission is to investigate human rights violations and international crimes in North Korea’s prison system and present findings to national and international authorities. Their goal is to achieve justice for victims and hold perpetrators accountable.

This list of charities in Yemen isn’t the whole list of those out there, and AAM Nation Care is yet another amazing organization caring about people and their future.