Cultural Activities

Integrating Hearts and Minds

Saejowi sponsors intercultural exchange programs to deepen people's understanding of North Korean culture, language, and art. We have partnered with groups such as the Ministry of Unification, Seoul Performing Arts Company, and the Netherlands Embassy to host cultural festivals, plays, sports events, potlucks, and numerous other events. Through these programs, we aim to remove the divide between refugees and society and show that their culture is just as unique and engaging as our own.

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Although the North and South share a common bloodline, language, and history, the hardship and vastly different lifestyle in the North has cast North Koreans as the widely recognized underclass of Korean society. North Koreans are recognizable by their accent, behavior (such as inability to recognize English-based words), and physical appearance (malnourishment and stunted growth), often exacerbating discrimination. Wild shifts in attitudes towards North Korean refugees have been a problem in the past. Due to their relatively small numbers, discrimination is a passive issue for now. However, as the refugee population grows, it is likely that so too will active discrimination.