By Kim Bo-eun
Some children of North Korean defectors have formed a band together with their South Korean classmates.
All of the members are students at an elementary school in Songpa-gu, southeastern Seoul, and are practicing hard to be able to perform at the school’s anniversary next month and perhaps for a Christmas event.
“Many school-age defectors hide the fact that they are from North Korea. It is not really because their peers do not accept them, but because they have low self-esteem,” said Jo Yong-jun, a South Korean activist who’s helping them.
“Through learning to play an instrument, they can start building confidence. Another great thing about music is that it doesn’t require talking in order to communicate. The students will be able to communicate with others through music.”
Jo is in charge of the North Korean Youth Support Division at the Armi Youth Culture Foundation, a non-governmental organization.
He said living in South Korea is tough for young children from the North.
School-age defectors face not only academic and relationship difficulties, but also problems at home, where parents struggling to earn a living are unable to provide them with adequate care.
Most of these children therefore, come home to an empty house after school, and are left alone until their parents come back from work, Jo said.
Nine North Korean students and 11 of their South Korean peers attending the same school formed the band Dreammms last July to make their dreams in South Korea come true.
Police officers and civic groups are assisting them. A committee comprised of doctors, lawyers and businessmen have provided instruments such as drums and guitars. And Jo, who was previously a music director for a broadcasting station, is teaching them to play.
The band members who are mostly in the fifth and sixth grade gather twice a week in an empty classroom after school finishes to practice.
“Another positive aspect of having the children play in a band is that they are able to meet other teachers and people,” Jo said.
“The children have limited human contact, as the relationships they form are confined to their school and family. However, extra-curricular activities enable them to meet people from outside the school, and the children seem to enjoy that.”
The band still has a long way to go. However, it looks like Dreammms may be able plant actual dreams in these children.
A police officer said interviews of the children or taking photos of them was not possible due to security reasons.