Education Program
Education Program
North Korean defectors come to South Korea with diverse talents, experiences and aspirations. However, many have experienced disrupted education, limited access to educational resources, and a fundamentally different education system. Once in South Korea, defectors can also face financial and social barriers that limit access to the additional educational opportunities available to many South Korean students.
PSCORE works to reduce these structural barriers while supporting defectors as active participants in their own development. Since 2007, PSCORE has implemented a wide range of educational programs for and with North Korean defectors. These include one-to-one tutoring as well as arts and crafts projects for defector children, vocational training, art therapy and cybersecurity workshops for adult defectors, as well as speech events for North Koreans to share their experiences with audiences.
PSCORE’s 1:1 tutoring program is one of the organization’s most impactful educational initiatives, having worked with over 870 education program participants sinec 2007. The programs make use of the extensive network of volunteer tutors and working professionals in Seoul and match them with North Korean defectors seeking to develop their English language and writing skills, as well as their knowledge of cultural norms and practices around the world.
According to research by the Korean Education Development Institute, the dropout rate among North Korean defector middle and high school students is significantly higher than that of their South Korean peers. Many North Korean defector families face economic barriers, limiting their ability to afford private after-school academies (hagwons), which are a common part of education for many South Korean children. As a result, children from defector families often have fewer opportunities to receive supplementary academic support and prepare for competitive educational environments. This imbalance contributes to a widening educational divide, as unequal access to educational opportunities reinforces existing socioeconomic disadvantages. Our program helps defectors adjust to the South Korean education system and enhances their abilities to communicate and convey their ideas in a range of situations, both interpersonal and in the workplace.
Through individualized tutoring, volunteers can focus on each student’s specific learning needs, helping them strengthen their English language skills, which are essential for higher education and improved employment opportunities. Students and tutors usually meet in cafes or other public spaces twice a week in two-hour sessions. However, this can be adjusted depending on both the student’s and the tutor’s schedules and learning goals.
Tuesday Arts & Crafts
Tuesday Arts & Crafts
The Tuesday Arts & Crafts sessions have become a weekly tradition for elementary school students from defector families in Seoul, participating in playful English learning activities in the form of a weekly extracurricular after-school event. Through this project, young elementary students are being exposed to the English language in a playful manner, while working together in small groups. The project has been developed in collaboration with the Community Chest of Korea, which provides materials and financial support to guarantee that student activities stay free of charge.
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Weekend Program
Vocational training and English lessons
PSCORE’s weekend program is a complementary educational initiative for both defector children and adults, taking place every weekend either in Gimpo or in Seoul. Parents participate in vocational training, after which they receive official certificates that aid them in their job search and help them reach financial stability. These trainings range from barista job training to seminars on the professional use of artificial intelligence in the workplace. PSCORE also offers training sessions on cybersecurity for defector parents with low digital literacy, as they are at a higher risk of suffering cyberattacks by the North Korean regime. While their parents are being educated, defector children receive English language classes in groups through gamified learning methods. After the sessions, parents, children, trainers and volunteers share a free lunch to foster community building.
Our Education Program
North Korean Defector Teacher Initiative
In response to the growing mental health challenges faced by young people during COVID-19, PSCORE launched psychological counselling workshops in 2020 to equip teachers with strategies to better support North Korean defector students. During these sessions, PSCORE recognized that the teachers themselves are also in need of support, as they often face significant emotional and professional challenges while helping defector students adapt within the South Korean education system.
This initiative has since developed into a dedicated mental health support program for North Korean defector teachers, providing a safe space for teachers to share their experiences, discuss challenges and build a supportive environment and community together.
Every month, PSCORE hosts these gatherings for defector teachers that include peer discussions, community-building sessions and group art therapy. PSCORE also provides cultural activities and educational trips for defector teachers, aiding them in their journey of healing beyond their daily challenges. Through this program, PSCORE aims to strengthen the well-being of educators who play a vital role in supporting North Korean defector students and their successful integration into South Korean society.
Guidebook for North Korean Defector Parents
While educational materials and support are provided for North Korean defector students and teachers, resources that cater specifically to their needs remain limited. To address this gap, PSCORE has developed a guidebook for North Korean defector parents to help them understand the South Korean education system and actively support their children’s educational journey.
Many defector parents belong to the Jangmadang Generation (Market Generation) that has experienced the economic crisis and great famine during the late 1990s. For many, education was disrupted as families prioritized survival. Beyond academic structures, differences also exist in educational culture and parental involvement in their children’s success in school.
With the guidebook, PSCORE aims to provide practical guidelines that empower defector parents to better navigate the South Korean education system, participate in their children’s learning journey, and create a better support environment for their future in South Korea.