Katie Beaver

Woorion

Woorion is a community run by North Korean refugees for North Korean refugees to help them resettle in South Korea. Our organization has the largest membership of North Korean refugees worldwide. We serve more than 10,000 members, which is one-third of the global North Korean defector population. We offer comprehensive listings of educational, scholarship, and job opportunities tailored to the needs of North Koreans. We also provide help with finding housing, funding business ventures, and sharing information regarding civic and cultural events. Our website offers users access to mentors who provide their time free of charge to help them adapt to life in South Korea, and to better understand the complexities of democratic, capitalist South Korea. We are focused on improving the lives of defectors. Our unique and intimate relationship with the community sets us apart in bridging North Korean defectors and the global community, helping to provide the international community with insights about the North Korean community. Alongside our other programs, we also support researchers and organizations worldwide in connecting with and surveying North Korean defectors. We have contributed to over 60 such research projects to date. We hope that the insights gained from such projects will help to guide the formation of policy and services to better the lives of North Koreans. Visit our website to learn more.