Seoul – “North Korea is subject to extremely strict sanctions due to its missile and nuclear programs. The sanctions are having an effect, but instead of harming the regime, they are primarily affecting the North Korean population. The sanctions are leading to a downward spiral for the poor, and malnutrition appears to be spreading again throughout the country. I believe it is necessary to reconsider the sanctions,” explained Katharina Zellweger, a Catholic Swiss aid worker, during the “Forum for Sharing Peace on the Korean Peninsula ,” which was organized in recent days by the Archdiocese of Seoul to mark its 30 years of commitment to peace on the Korean Peninsula. Zellweger previously led a Caritas Hong Kong aid program in North Korea. She then worked for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and lived in Pyongyang from 2006 to 2011. Today, she heads the NGO KorAid, which is dedicated to helping and promoting the integration of people with disabilities in various countries, including North Korea. “The door to North Korea is currently closed – for South Koreans, for NGOs, for the United Nations. After experiencing many highs and lows in my 30 years of working with North Korea, I am convinced that the current stalemate will not last forever. Even though the path back to diplomacy and engagement will be long and difficult, patience and determination will once again be required,” she affirms. “I first entered North Korea in the spring of 1995,” emphasizes Zellweger, who at that time was managing an aid program for needy and disabled children on behalf of Caritas Switzerland and Caritas Hong Kong, where she worked for a total of 28 years. Zellweger stresses that she witnessed “the harsh reality and the incredible suffering” of the population due to a severe famine. “From then on, Caritas’ involvement began through a program managed from Hong Kong. Year after year, we launched fundraising appeals and were able to provide food aid, as well as development work in agricultural cooperatives and assistance in hospitals. In addition, we incorporated aspects of development cooperation, including training programs. It was pioneering work at the time.” In working with the Swiss aid organization, “the approach was to assess the situation but remain impartial and treat the North Koreans with respect,” she says. This approach led to the establishment of the Pyongyang Business School in the North Korean capital, which operated for four years and offered young North Koreans the opportunity to participate in training programs, conferences, and study trips.
“With KorAid,” she explains, “we started with a fact: Almost 6.2% of the North Korean population, about 1.6 million people, suffer from some form of disability. The non-profit organization KorAid was founded for this reason. In a four-year period, from 2015 to 2019, KorAid carried out over 30,000 rehabilitation programs.” “Throughout my many years working in North Korea, with patience, determination, flexibility, and a willingness to understand the world from North Korea’s perspective, I have come to admire the North Korean people for their courage and willpower, but also for how they forge their own path under difficult circumstances,” Zellweger notes.
Regarding the potential role of the Catholic Church in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, Zellweger remarks: “The Catholic Church in South Korea, with perseverance and faith, is already playing an important role in the healing process and keeping alive the hope for reconciliation between the two Koreas.” Under the current circumstances, Zellweger says, “one can support organizations that currently have the opportunity to operate in the North. For example, this year UNICEF sent 2.7 million doses of vaccines for children to North Korea and delivered 25 containers of food and vital medicines for malnourished children.” According to the United Nations World Food Programme’s 2022 report, some 10.7 million people—more than 40% of the population—suffer from malnutrition, and a 2025 United Nations Food Security Report states that 16.6% of children under five suffer from stunted growth. “Supporting the country’s children is a good plan for the future, as is engagement in healthcare,” she emphasizes. Zellweger also advocates for “peace diplomacy,” which encompasses three interconnected activities: peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding. “All three use negotiations and dialogue to manage and resolve conflicts,” she affirms, “Lasting peace goes beyond treaties and must be based on trust and effective communication.” Communication and the search for mutually acceptable solutions must be built upon this foundation. It requires engagement from all sectors of society: government, the private sector, civil society, academia, and youth. I am aware of how difficult this is, especially now that the North is closed off to most of the outside world. But it is crucial to continue seeking ways to create the conditions for lasting peace, even if, at present, this is only possible within South Korea.” One possible avenue for building trust and good relations could be World Youth Day 2027, which will take place in Seoul and bring together young people from all over the world. “In general, I have observed that many young South Koreans seem to lack enthusiasm for the North and the future of the entire Korean Peninsula,” Zellweger concludes. “It would be valuable to actively involve Catholic universities and schools to raise awareness of the importance of building a fruitful and hopeful relationship with young North Koreans.”
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