How to help North Koreans

By Casey Lartigue, Jr.

When a North Korean refugee gives a speech in-person or online, there is a naive question that almost always gets asked: "How can I (or we, or the world) help North Koreans?" Or it may be in the form of "What can be done about North Korea?"

I count to 10 so I can patiently let the moment pass, confidently knowing the questioners won't be satisfied with the answer. With international organizations, experts and governments befuddled for decades about what to do about North Korea, shouldn't it be clear that there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer? If anyone had clear strategy, then the well-funded "What to do about North Korea Institute" would have already been set up.

After repeatedly hearing the question, I helped organize two different English speech contests in 2015 and 2016 with the theme being, "How can you help North Koreans?" Fourteen North Korean refugees answered the question in about 12 different ways. There isn't even a one-size-fits-all agreement among North Korean refugees.

In other venues, I have heard many North Korean refugee speakers and activists try to answer the question, to the disappointment of attendees who are on the edge of their seats/Zoom screens expecting to hear the answer. In my observation, few people have been satisfied with the answers, few follow up to do anything, and the question gets asked anew at another event.

Will the circle remain unbroken? I would like to suggest a five-step process that will lead questioners to their own answers.

One, start by reading books by and about North Korean refugees and about North Korea. You can establish a foundation of knowledge that is deeper than the latest click-bait headlines and videos.

Two, become a committed volunteer with an organization engaging with North Korean refugees or about North Korea. You will get to work with people who have experience and perspective and are aware of things that have already been tried.

It won't take long to see that many of the organizations and people getting asked to "do something" about North Korea are poorly staffed and have limited budgets. This step may cause you to become realistic about what can be done about a reclusive totalitarian cult armed with nuclear weapons (as even well-funded international NGOs and governments know).

Three, start donating and fundraising for your favorite organization(s). As a donor, you will have "skin in the game" and build a closer and longer-term relationship with the organization. The organization will also be more appreciative to know you are helping to build it, not just your resume or blog. For years I have advised every volunteer to engage in fundraising, but only a handful do so, with many insisting, "I am donating my time."

And when your time is up? Organizations may appreciate even pop-up volunteers, but engaging in fundraising will also show your long-term commitment, and they are more likely to see you as a real team member.

Four, lead a project for an organization. After you have demonstrated that you are not a pop-up volunteer looking to immediately save the world after attending a meeting, then you could become trusted enough to lead a project. This could mean hosting an event, fundraiser or leading an initiative. The point is that doing something as a leader is more important and meaningful than being an outside observer.

Over the years, I have noticed people go through transformations once they are in leadership positions. They stop talking big about saving the world or changing North Korea overnight, and instead focus on making things better.

Five, bring others to your cause. It is always good when people want to get involved, but don't forget to bring others with you. As a recruiter, you would take some responsibility for making sure your recruits are diligent, responsible, and add value to the cause. After going through the first four steps yourself, you would then be able to mentor others.

That may not satisfy the big thinkers who want to change the world immediately. Nineteenth century abolitionist Frederick Douglass responded to people asking him how they could help end slavery: "The tools to those who can use them." That is: examine, understand, and use your skills.

After you have gone through the five steps I've suggested, spending at least six months to a year reading, volunteering, donating and fundraising, leading up a project, and bringing others to the cause, then you may understand my impatience at the naive questioners looking for shortcuts to major challenges.

Not only will you be prepared to make a difference in your own way, but you may even find yourself counting to 10 after someone asks what can be done about North Korea.

Casey Lartigue, Jr., (CJL@alumni.harvard.edu), co-founder along with Eunkoo Lee of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center (TNKR), is the 2017 winner of the "social contribution" prize from the Hansarang Rural Cultural Foundation and the 2019 winner of the "Challenge Maker" award from Challenge Korea.