Migration to Asia Peace (MAP) took part in the “2023 Korea Refugee Forum,” held on April 28, 2023, at the Asia Research Institute of Seoul National University. A refugee speaker active in one of MAP’s programs stepped up to the microphone and shared their own story at the lived-experience speaker session.

Forum Overview

  • Event name: 2023 Korea Refugee Forum, Refugee Settlement and Expanded Protection in Korea: Reflecting on Five Years Since the Jeju Island Refugee Arrivals
  • Date: April 28, 2023
  • Venue: Samik Hall, Asia Research Institute, Seoul National University (Gwanak-gu, Seoul)
  • Organizers: National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), UNHCR, and the Migration Research and Training Centre

Forum Theme

This forum was organized to mark five years since a large group of Yemeni refugees arrived on Jeju Island in 2018. It brought together participants to review the current state of refugee settlement in Korea, assess challenges in the protection system, and explore ways forward.

MAP’s Participation

MAP joined the forum, and Ra Yeon-woo, who is active in MAP’s “Dialogue with Refugees” program, took part in the lived-experience speaker session. It was a space where a refugee could step on stage and speak directly from personal experience, rather than having others speak on their behalf.

About Migration to Asia Peace (MAP)

MAP is a nonprofit refugee rights organization founded in 2015. Working under the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion, MAP focuses on:

  • Protecting refugees and advocating for their rights
  • Building public discourse around refugees’ right to health
  • Improving refugees’ access to information
  • Expanding refugees’ participation in society

MAP aims to be an organization where citizens and refugees work side by side, helping refugees living in Korea access the information and resources they need in daily life.