Future Leaders of North Korea (FLNK)
The Future Leaders of North Korea (FLNK) program teaches North Korean defector students about democracy, capitalism, and English. Junior Achievement Korea offers programs on the market economy and democracy. North Korea Human Rights Watch (NKHRW) invites select students who successfully complete these programs to the U.S. to take ESL programs. NKHRW plays a major role in organizing the FLNK program, which is currently offered at the Yeomyung School, a well-known alternative school in Seoul for North Korean defector students. FLNK will expand its program to more than 10 schools within five years, and it will develop programs for the more general population of North Korean defectors as well.
It is important to teach the fundamental values of democracy and the market economy (i.e., capitalism), as well as English, to North Korean defector students. Such a program is important because it helps them adapt to a new world successfully and reach their full potential. Because of their special background and experience, they are great prospects to become future leaders of North Korea if and when, the country becomes more open.The FLNK program will cultivate the abilities of elite North Korean students to think critically and productively. They will develop a better understanding of capitalist democracy. The program will broaden their understanding and perspective of the Western world and help them improve their English skill.
FLNK Program at Yeomyung School (Spring, 2020)
FLNK Program Partners
