TNKR to hold speech contest

TNKR co-founders Lee Eun-koo and Casey Lartigue Jr. at the Speech Contest in Seoul last year. / Photo by John Redmond

By John Redmond

Teach North Korean Refugees (TNKR) will hold its 7th English Speech Contest at State Tower in Seoul on Saturday.

Seven North Koreans will address the theme, "My Little Big Heroes."

Refugees applied for the contest by submitting short videos explaining their speeches.

“In 10 minutes or less, they will discuss their little big heroes they knew in North Korea, or met while they were escaping through or living in China, or special people they have met as they settled down in South Korea or other countries,” organizers said.

“The speeches are moving and promise to open your eyes up to the struggles, experiences and challenges facing North Korean refugees.”

The refugees will give TED-style talks.

The speech contest will be held at the Shin and Kim Law Office from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The office is on the eighth floor of State Tower Namsan, about 120 meters from exit 4 of Myeong-dong Station on Line 4.

TNKR is a Seoul-based NGO that provides free English-language lessons for North Korean refugees. The group was established in 2013 by Casey Lartigue Jr. and Lee Eun-koo.

Over the years, 290 North Korean refugees have studied with TNKR’s 597 volunteer tutors and coaches.

General admission is 15,000 won.

Visit facebook.com/groups/Teachnkrefugees for more information.