North Korean Young Leaders Assembly: From Defection to Leadership

Empowering North Korea’s Next Generation for a Free and Unified Korea

Are You Ready to Ignite a New Era for Education?

The North Korean Young Leaders Assembly (NKYLA) is the first and only global leadership platform where young North Korean escapees raise their voices on the international stage

Our Mission

To cultivate principled North Korean young leaders who can bridge understanding, inspire change, and advance a free and unified Korea.

  • Annual Assembly Program
  • Policy Meetings in Washington D.C.
  • Visits to the United Nations & think tanks
  • Media interviews & Project-based learning

 

Our Vision

A future where the voices of North Korean escapees help shape policy, educate the world, and lead the journey toward a peacefully unified Korea

Voice • Vision • Victory

A group of people in business attire pose together in an office setting, some making a fist gesture, in front of a sign that reads “Global Peace Foundation.”.

1st Assembly (2023)

Washington D.C.

Three people in business attire sit on a panel discussion at the Hudson Institute, with two men listening as a woman speaks, while audience members watch.

2nd Assembly (2024)

New York & Washington D.C.

A group of people pose for a photo in a modern lobby with a row of international flags hanging from the ceiling.

3rd Assembly (2025)

Korea Dream Campaign & Fellowship Expansion

Impact Highlights

From Pyongyang & Seoul to Washington D.C. – The Journey of Hope

20+

U.S. policy leaders met

10

Global media features

50

Young North Koreans empowered

Program Components

Five core pillars expanded with new initiatives

A group of people in formal and casual attire stand in front of a display of international flags and a large South Korean flag indoors.

Fellowship

Annual two-week program in Washington D.C. and New York for selected fellows

Seven people stand in a row facing the camera; six wear business attire while one woman in the center wears a bright pink dress. The background is plain and neutral.

Internship

Placement opportunities with U.S. NGOs, Congressional offices, and research institutes

Four people sit around a conference table with notebooks, coffee cups, and glasses of water, engaged in a business meeting in a well-lit room.

Scholarship

Covers education, visa, and travel expenses through donor support

Three people in business attire sit at a conference table with bottled water and papers, engaged in discussion in a meeting room.

Mentorship

Guidance from former diplomats, policy experts, and entrepreneurs

A group of people in formal attire sit in a circle in a well-decorated room, engaged in conversation. Photographers and recording equipment are present.

Friendship Network

Partnerships with global student leaders and university groups

A group of people in business attire sit around a large conference table with laptops, papers, and nameplates in a meeting room.

Leadership Lab

Hands-on projects developing practical leadership skills

Stories of Change

Before & After NKYLA profiles showcasing transformation

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Sarah Kim

2023 Fellow

“NKYLA gave me the confidence to share my story on the global stage and connect with policy makers who can make a real difference.”

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David Park

2024 Fellow

“Through NKYLA, I learned that my voice matters and that together we can build bridges toward a unified Korea.”

Support the Movement

Your donation doesn’t just change a life — it changes North Korea’s future

$100 Empower a Voice

$500 Unlock Opportunity

$1,000 Build a Leader

$5,000+ Advance a Free & Unified Korea

Acknowledgments

Our events and programs were made possible through collaboration with and support from the following organizations

Ready to empower the next generation of North Korean leaders?

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Other Work