$50,000 in funds awarded to nine North Koreans to pursue higher education
Dallas, Texas – Today, the George W. Bush Institute awarded a total of $50,000 to nine students as part of the 2024 Lindsay Lloyd North Korea Freedom Scholarship. Established in 2017, the scholarship is designed to help North Korean escapees and their children pursue higher education and build productive, prosperous lives.
Administered by Communities Foundation of Texas, the scholarship program selects recipients based on merit and need. Scholarships are used for vocational school, community college, and university as recipients aspire to lead a variety of careers in fields ranging from psychology and computer science to architecture, global affairs, and more. To date, nearly $350,000 has been awarded in the form of 84 scholarships.
The 2024 Lindsay Lloyd North Korea Freedom Scholarship recipients – who prefer not to reveal their identities publicly to protect loved ones still living in North Korea – include:
- S.K.A., who is studying global affairs at Syracuse University.
- H.S.J., who is studying psychology and political science at The College of Wooster.
- K.S.J., who is studying architecture at Iowa State University.
- L.K., who is studying computer science.
- R.J.K., who is studying psychology at Duquesne University.
- S.H.K., who is studying English at Columbia University.
- Y.M.K., who is studying science at Orange Coast College.
- S.O.O., who is studying acupuncture at Virginia University of Integrative Medicine.
- G.P., who is studying at Mt. San Antonio College.
The scholarship is part of the Bush Institute’s ongoing work to improve the human condition in North Korea, which aims to expose the suffering of the North Korean people and put their stories on the radar of policymakers and opinion leaders. According to the Refugee Processing Center, 224 North Korean escapees have been admitted to the United States between 2006 and May 2024.
“We are honored to support this year’s group of resilient and brave awardees,” said Joseph Kim, Program Manager of Global Policy and Expert-in-Residence at the Bush Institute. “As a North Korean escapee and former scholarship recipient myself, I am inspired by their courage and determination to pursue an education here in the U.S.”
The Lindsay Lloyd North Korea Freedom Scholarship Committee reviewed the applications and recommended awards. The Selection Committee members included:
- Jieun Baek, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council at the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Indo-Pacific Security Initiative
- Alex Dowdy, Senior Program Manager of Education, George W. Bush Institute
- Sheena Greitens, Associate Professor, University of Texas at Austin
- Jensen Ko, Managing Partner, AriseN Partners LP
- Jenny Torres, Deputy Director of Higher Education, Communities Foundation of Texas
- Chris Walsh, Director of Global Policy, George W. Bush Institute
Next year’s scholarship application period will open in early 2025.
For more information about the scholarship and the Bush Institute’s efforts to support escapees and improve the human condition in North Korea, please visit bushcenter.org/northkorea. For more information about Communities Foundation of Texas, please visit www.cftexas.org.
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About the George W. Bush Institute
The George W. Bush Institute is a solution-oriented nonpartisan policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies. Housed within the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the Bush Institute is rooted in compassionate conservative values and committed to creating positive, meaningful, and lasting change at home and abroad. We utilize our unique platform and convening power to advance solutions to national and global issues of the day. Learn more at bushcenter.org.
