The Korea Refugee Forum is an open forum where a wide range of stakeholders in Korean society come together to discuss refugee protection and social integration. It is co-hosted by UNHCR Korea, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), the Korea Refugee Rights Network, and the Refugee Studies Network, and will be held on Tuesday, 9 December 2025. AI text interpretation is available throughout the forum, so participants who are not comfortable in Korean can still follow along.

Event Overview

ItemDetails
Date & TimeTuesday, 9 December 2025, 09:00, 18:00
VenueGrand Auditorium, Sahyang Convergence Hall, Seoul National University of Education
OrganizersUNHCR Korea, NHRCK, Korea Refugee Rights Network, Refugee Studies Network
InterpretationAI text interpretation provided
Official websitekorearefugeeforum.org

Pre-Registration Guide

Seating is limited and participant arrangements need to be planned in advance, so pre-registration is required to attend the forum.

Registration Timeline

  • Pre-registration deadline: Saturday, 6 December 2025
  • Final attendance confirmation: Sunday, 7 December 2025, notified individually

How to Register

You can register online at the link below.

Seating Priority

Seats will be allocated with proportionality and diversity in mind, in the following order of priority:

  1. Organizations that have made pledges to the Global Refugee Forum (GRF)
  2. Organizations and groups related to the forum’s themes
  3. Relevant professionals and experts
  4. Refugee-led organizations and groups engaged in activities that benefit refugees and host communities

What You Can Find on the Official Website

The Korea Refugee Forum official website has the following information:

  • Detailed session descriptions
  • Full programme schedule
  • Organizational registration and 2026 plan sharing (for organizations)

Programme

Plenary Session

Opening Remarks

  • Saeryeo Kim (UNHCR Korea Representative)

Welcome Remarks

  • Chang-Ho Ahn (Chairperson, NHRCK)
  • Il Lee (Chair, Korea Refugee Rights Network)
  • Chi-Wan Kim (Director, Tamna Culture Research Institute, Jeju National University / Refugee Studies Network)

Special Congratulatory Remarks

  • Hak-Young Lee (Vice Speaker, National Assembly)

  • Dong-Yeon Kim (Governor, Gyeonggi Province)

  • Ji-Ho Cha (Member of the National Assembly)

Introduction to the Global Compact on Refugees and Global Refugee Forum

  • Nickolas Bras (Senior Policy Advisor, Division of International Protection, UNHCR)
  • Chang-Ki Byun (Policy Officer, Division of International Protection, UNHCR)

Mid-Term Progress Review and Presentation of GRF Pledges

  • Su-Min Kim (Deputy, Multilateral Cooperation Team, KOICA)

  • Hye-Kyung Park (Investigator, Human Rights Violations Investigation Division, NHRCK)

  • Seok-Pyo Hong (Attorney, Law for Good Network / Gwang-Jang Law Firm)

  • Hee-Cheol Yang (Attorney, Special Committee on Refugees, Migrants and Foreigners, Korean Bar Association)

  • Jin-Sun Kim (Professor, Tamna Culture Research Institute, Jeju National University / Refugee Studies Network)

Korea Refugee Forum Future Roadmap

  • Jae-Ik Jang (Protection Officer, UNHCR Korea)
  • Young-A Kim (Representative, Migration to Asia Peace (MAP) / Korea Refugee Forum Preparatory Committee)
  • Blico Desire Mawa and Shaima Elsaid (Refugee Advisory Group)

Thematic Breakout Sessions

Each session covers a different topic, including socioeconomic inclusion of refugees, Korean language education, vocational training, and early settlement support.

  • Opening Remarks: Stefan Maimer (Deputy Representative, UNHCR Korea)
  • Moderator: Yeon-Ju Kim (Attorney, Refugee Rights Center)
  • Panelists: Jin-Su Kim (Staff, Pinan-Cheo

), Jong-Chan Lee (Attorney, APIL / Korean Bar Association Migrants and Refugees Committee)

, Sang-Hyun Lee (Attorney, Duroo Public Interest Law Group), Hwa (Activist, Minority Refugee Rights Network), Won-Gyu Kim (Director, Gyeonggi Province Immigration and Multicultural Society Policy Bureau), Rosa Bo-Hyun Kim (Sister, Good Samaritan House)

II. Expanding Possibilities: Socioeconomic Inclusion and Self-Reliance

  • Moderator: Won-Geun Choi (Assistant Professor, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies)
  • Panelists: Gi-Dong Yeom (Section Chief, Ministry of Justice Immigration and Foreigner Support Center)

, Mi-Jeong Kim (Team Leader, Ulsan Dong-gu Family Center)

, In-Sun Kwon (Secretary General, Eoullim Ikkeullim Social Cooperative), Joo-Hee Lee (Volunteer Teacher, Uri Peace Korean Language School), Seong-Hwan Lee (Representative, Mustard Weed), Jong-Seok Jo (Board Chair, Gimpo Yanggok Credit Union), Ngararura Wangara Dorcas (Representative, Wise Women Association)

III. Achieving Health and Well-Being for All: Building Resilience Through Social Safety Net Integration

  • Moderator: Joo-Young Jang (Research Fellow, Migration Research and Training Centre)

  • Panelists: Samuel Kim (Social Worker, National Medical Center), Su-Yeon Eun (Planning and Administration Manager, Ansan Global Youth Center), Jeong-Woo Kim (Senior PR Manager, WeFriends / Korea Migrant Health Association), Ha-Kyung Kim (Psychiatrist, Korea Refugee Mental Health Promotion Council / Korean Society of Women’s Psychiatry), Yeon-Ju Choi (Social Worker, Hope Clinic, Seoul Red Cross Hospital), Min-Jeong Do (Director, You&Me Psychological Counseling Institute), So-Yi Park (Staff, Pinan-Cheo)

IV. Securing a Sustainable Future: Education from Early Childhood to Higher Education

  • Moderator: Young-Hee Jo (Senior Research Fellow, Migration Research and Training Centre)
  • Panelists: Jae-Young Kim (Regional Director, Save the Children Seoul), Jeong-Ae Park (Team Leader, Gimpo City Foreign Residents Support Center), Dae-Hee Ku (Director, Dongcheon Foundation)

, Su-Yong Maeng (Teacher, Guri Inchang High School), Young-A Kim (Representative, MAP), Yo-Seop Seok (Executive Director / Father, Joy Sharing Foundation)

Closing Session: Open Insights

  • Panelists: Jeong-Hyeon Jo (Secretary General, Jeonju YMCA), Freddy Mafuta and Cynthia Umutesi (Refugee Activists, Dialogue with Refugees Team), Ronel Chakma Nani (Advisor, Solidarity of Jumma People in Korea)

, Anila Noor (Representative, New Women Connectors)