Scottish Hospitality Initiative for North Koreans

We are a non-religious, non-political group of volunteers who want to help improve the lives of some amazing people who deserve it, and through this, raise awareness of the attrocities in North Korea.

In brief, we are organising a 10 day camp in Scotland for 10 North Korean refugees who have bravely escaped a totalitarian regime where, if returned, they will be punishable by death! I worked with these refugees last year in South Korea, I was personally asked to do something to help by the refugees. They told me if I dont do something, maybe nobody will. They are extremebly brave, very positive, fun people. For further information, please click on the Refugee Testimony tab.

We feel very passionately about raising the issues about this, as currently the worlds media is barely glancing at the situation in North Korea, and we really need the help of Scottish people to raise the profile of this. 

The situation in North Korea:

The humanitarian situation in North Korea is difficult. The political manipulation of aid has meant that many organisations such as MSF have withdrawn so that their assistance was not abused.

Nobody is allowed to speak out against the government. There are public executions for such people, and labour camps for those who give reason to believe they do not agree with the regime (similar to a witch hunt - if somebody accuses you, you will be sent to a forced labour camp, you and 3 generations of your family). These camps have often been compared to the death camps of the Holocaust, and have been described as "The place where there is no hope and your souls die" (Yoduk Story). There are many reports of rape, and forced abortion of the baby as a result of a brutal beating and kicking.

Please get in touch if you are interested in getting involved. We have a press team in Edinburgh, logistics and planning team in London, fundraising and awareness activities across Scotland, and a team in Peebles.