North Korean mothers who have resettled in South Korea prepare a special lunch inspired by familiar flavours of home.
When refugees arrive in South Korea from North Korea, they are investigated by the National Intelligence Service, undergo a health checkup, and receive treatment. After that, they are moved to Hanawon Centre, where they spend three months preparing to settle into life in the south. (Hanawon is an organisation of the Ministry of Unification that helps North Korean refugees prepare for settlement in South Korean society.)
There are two centres. Hanawon 1 in Anseong is for children, teenagers, and adult females, and Hanawon 2 in Hwacheon accommodates adult males. The training period is three months with education on weekdays; on Sundays, the refugees can rest or attend a service conducted by one of the major religions in Korea: Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, or Won Buddhism. During the training period, there is also a monthly two-day Family Cultural Experience Programme for the adult women in Hanawon 1, hosted by the religious groups.
Last August 5, the volunteer families and the refugees met together in the second-floor auditorium at the Columban Mission Centre. This August programme was hosted by the National Reconciliation Committee of the Conference of Religious Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life. The North Korean mothers who had already settled in South Korea prepared lunch featuring North Korean food preferences.
After orientation and lunch, the refugees joined their host family to do some shopping and exploration of the local area. They then went to the family home and stayed overnight. On day 2, after breakfast and lunch, they met again at the Mission Centre, shared the experience with the families, and engaged in some recreation before moving back to Hanawon.
For the trainees, it is an opportunity to experience ordinary life outside of Hanawon. And for some of the volunteer families, it is the first time they have met people from North Korea and shared with them.
I continue to accompany the refugees as they familiarise themselves with South Korean culture and adjust to life in a democratic society. I organise a monthly Mass for them, the religious, and other individuals accompanying the refugees.
The Korean Church continues to pray for peace on the Korean Peninsula. We hope that you, too, will continue to pray for peace, reconciliation, and healing of the fractured Korean nation.
Columban Fr Thomas Nam Seungwon lives and works in Korea.
Listen to "Working with North Koran refugees"
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - January/February 2026
