The 22nd - 28th April 2012 was North Korea Freedom week, some of us attended an event at the Korean Cultural Association in New Malden. Which included the viewing of a very moving flim called 'The Crossing' and testimonies from several North Korean defectors, during the meeting the question was asked 'What can we do to help the refugees who are resident in the UK?'.

The leaders of the North Korean Residents Association expressed some of the needs of the over 400 hundred North Korean refugees presently living in the South London area. Amongst these many needs expressed, we could identify that friendship as being the most important, as well as help with language and access to NHS and other services. 

IRFF representatives and our partners The World Cultural Association decided to initiate a friendship and support group in response to the needs that were expressed. The friendship project will include 2 main aspects, the first is friendship and service towards the North Korean residents (i.e. helping them adjust to life in the UK, help with language, access to the NHS and other services). The second part will be highlighting the human rights situation in thier homeland, by showing similar movies to 'The Crossing' at Cultural events and raising public awareness of the families in North Korea and thier situation. 

There is a really great article in the New York Times about a South Korean Buddhist Monk, who has established one of the first relief campaigns for North Korean's. To read more click here.