Max Smith studied Korean for four years at SOAS University of London. During this time he also spent a year abroad at Seoul National University. Whilst studying, he focused much of his independent research on South Korean foreign policy, including by analysing different administration’s approaches to North Korea.

In his final year at SOAS, Max cemented his interest in North Korean issues through a class on North Korean history, politics and society. After graduating, he built on this knowledge further through a two-month internship at the South Korean human rights organisation PSCORE.

As an intern at PSCORE, much of Max’s time was spent preparing for the International Moot Pre-Trial on Crimes Against Humanity in North Korea’s Political Prison Camps. This event brought together respected lawyers, judges, and human rights activists in a mock trial against Kim Jong Un, highlighting the severity of the human rights situation in the country’s prison camps and the difficulties faced in seeking accountability. It was through this event that Max learned of HRNK’s internship programme.

Now, as an intern at HRNK Max plans to further develop his knowledge of human rights issues in North Korea whilst supporting HRNK’s mission. He has a particular interest in HRNK’s goal of closing North Korea’s gulags, partly as a result of his time at PSCORE.

Going forward, Max hopes to integrate what he learns at HRNK into his postgraduate studies, during which he plans on researching how foreign IGOs and NGOs can influence North Korean policy to improve the humanitarian and human rights situation there.