On September 2, Consul Barkhouse visited Empathy Guesthouse in Daegu, run by IVLP Alumnus Heo Young-chul. Director Heo shared his experiences creating programs to support North Korean defectors and other foreigners living in Korea. His social enterprise, Empathy SEEDS, promotes local tourism and international exchange as way to foster understanding and provide livelihoods for disabled and disadvantaged individuals. Established in June 2013, the organization has contributed to social well-being by channeling proceeds from its businesses to North Korean defectors and other groups who need support. These activities have also facilitated U.S.-ROK exchanges on language learning and best practices for social work and refugee resettlement. The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is a flagship people-to-people exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.