Helplines in North Korea

NKDB provides FREE psychological counseling services to North Korean defectors who experienced torture, assault, trafficking, or other serious human rights abuses. Offers resettlement assistance, adjustment education, monetary support, and advocacy. Staffed by professional psychological counselors and social workers with expertise in North Korean human rights violations. Funded by UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (UNVFVT).

Primary South Korean government organization providing comprehensive support services for North Korean defectors. Offers counseling, resettlement assistance, education, employment support, and crisis intervention. Comprehensive Call Center available for all defector needs.

Provides rescue operations and resettlement support for North Korean defectors who have escaped the country. Offers education programs, capacity building, and continued support during transition to new countries (primarily South Korea and USA). While not a crisis hotline, provides organizational support for defectors experiencing trauma and integration challenges.

UNHCR-recognized organization providing free counseling and mental health support to asylum-seekers and refugees in South Korea, including North Korean defectors. Offers psychosocial support, trauma counseling, and referrals to relevant services.

PSCORE provides FREE volunteer-based education programs for North Korean defectors in South Korea. Services include one-on-one English tutoring, weekly English classes, essay writing, science, and math tutoring. Aims to empower defectors through education to become self-sufficient in their new societies. Has UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status.

UNHCR Korea provides FREE counseling and support services for asylum-seekers and refugees in South Korea. Services include legal support, psychosocial support, livelihood support, and medical support. Note: UNHCR does NOT process asylum applications (handled by Korean Immigration Service).