Though western agencies have had little access to development work in North Korea, Mercy Corps has been implementing programs there for over 10 years. Photo Credit: Matthew De Galan/Mercy Corps

After spending time in Bulgaria as a Peace Corps Volunteer, Simon Miller came to Mercy Corps, an international humanitarian aid organization based in Portland, OR USA. He started out as a volunteer but quickly moved into the position of International Relations Assistant Programs Officer. In 2005, after 3 years at the organization he transitioned into the role of Korean Peninsula Program Officer and has held the position since.

Q: How long has Mercy Corps been working in North Korea and what brought the organization there?

Simon Miller: Mercy Corps has been in North Korea since 1996 when a huge famine began due to flooding, drought, and a collapsed economy. Some estimate that 2 million people died as a result of the famine. This was the first time North Korea opened its borders to the international community. And since one of its allies, the former Soviet Union, had recently collapsed, North Korea was in a tough spot.

What programs did Mercy Corps start there?

In 2001 and 2002 we were able to fill two donated 747 aircrafts with apple trees, seeds, fertilizer and windmills.

We began with food and medical relief, but as soon as possible Mercy Corps transitioned to long term programs. These programs focus on sustainable agriculture initiatives such as the Apple Tree Project and also assistance in rainbow trout farming. The Apple Tree Project supports the development and sustainability of apple orchards. It makes sense for an organization based out of the northwest to be working with North Korea on apple orchards since we have the ability to provide high quality, fast growing apple trees. In 2001 and 2002 we were able to fill two donated 747 aircrafts with apple trees, seeds, fertilizer and windmills to the orchards. Mercy Corps' other agricultural initiative started with a group of fish hatchery managers visiting the U.S. followed by ongoing assistance such as providing rainbow trout eggs and fishery equipment.

What has Mercy Corps done since then?

We coordinate ongoing site visits to the orchards and fisheries to see how they are doing and if they are sustainable. But one of Mercy Corps' goals has become promoting a person-to-person exchange between individuals in the U.S. and individuals in North Korea. Through this, agricultural experts from Oregon State University visited North Korean apple orchards and fish farms and in addition, fish farmers and individuals from the department of fisheries in North Korea were able to visit private farms and orchards here in the U.S.

What was it like for you to visit North Korea?

I have been there five times. It was a very unique experience. North Koreans personal freedoms are so limited and their life is so regimented. Although many North Koreans are apprehensive at first about Americans, they have a genuine interest in people and warm up with a little time.

Who does Mercy Corps work with in North Korea?

The North Korea program involves ongoing coordination of projects with in-country partners such as individual farms and fisheries, and their respective staff and managers. We work directly with those people that implement the program in order to ensure that our projects provide the most benefit and can be adjusted to be as sustainable as possible. We also have a group of in-county partners that coordinate our site visits and help to translate during meetings. Mercy Corps co-founder, Ells Culver, was instrumental to establishing and maintaining these important in-country partnership.

How has North Korea changed since Mercy Corps first started working there?

There have been gradual small changes. In 2006 a group of Portland folk musicians performed at a festival in North Korea, where they were the only Americans. It was a big hit, with the Koreans clapping along to the music. Also, there appears to be some promising discussions between South Korea and the DPR Korea.

What is the National Committee on North Korea (NCNK) and Mercy Corps' role with the committee?

There appears to be some promising discussions between South Korea and the DPR Korea.

The main goal of the NCNK is to reduce tensions and promote peace on the Korean peninsula. It was started by Ells Culver, co-founder of Mercy Corps, and grew from a conference held on St. Simon's Island in Florida that brought together NGO's working in North Korea and individuals who were experts on North Korea. The Committee now involves a number of experts all with the common goal of discussing and working together on how the lives of North Koreans can be improved.

What are Mercy Corps' goals for the future in North Korea?

We look forward to continuing to implement programs that help to build long term food security and that bring people together to explore areas of collaboration and learning.

Mercy Corps has been implementing programs in North Korea now for over 10 years. Initially, the organization entered the region by providing basic food and emergency medical supplies to individuals, families, and communities affected by the economic collapse and agricultural failure. Over time sustainable agricultural initiatives were put in place. Most recently the agency has been providing emergency relief and supplies to North Koreans who are affected by the flooding that began in early August. For more on this recent disaster visit: Floods Ravage North Korea




Contributed by Cami Martin, a writer for Global Envision. Cami has a BA in English from the University of Oregon and works for Mercy Corps.

To read another Global Envision article about Mercy Corps' involvement in North Korea, see My Journey to North Korea.



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