North Korean refugees to compete in 10th TNKR speech contest
A group photo taken at the 9th TNKR speech contest earlier this year on Feb. 23. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar
By Jon Dunbar
North Korean refugees resettled in the South will speak on the theme “I am from North Korea” this Sunday, at the
held by the
Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center (TNKR)
.
The event, held a couple of times a year, is a rare opportunity to meet people born in North Korea and hear them speak on their experiences.
The 10 scheduled participants will prepare for their speeches with help from TNKR's volunteer mentors. They speak frankly on hard topics such as conditions in the impoverished North, why they chose to defect and difficulties adapting after escaping the totalitarian regime.
A panel of three judges will evaluate the speeches and select winners, who receive cash prizes.
Photography or recording of the speeches is strictly controlled for the safety of the participants.
The event will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the
on the slope of Mount Nam uphill from Itaewon Station. Tickets cost 10,000 won for TNKR volunteers, donors and fundraisers plus one guest, or 15,000 won for everyone else. Entry at the door costs 20,000 won. Donations are also encouraged.
TNKR will hold its
next orientation weekend for prospective tutors
on Sept. 21 and 22. After that, an invitation-only matching session will be held Sept. 29 to allow the refugees to choose their tutors. Read more about the process to
TNKR is a nonprofit organization that provides free English learning opportunities for North Korean refugees.