NK Missions Team

Together, we serve North Korean defectors in Seoul and in Busan

LISA GALLO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Lisa met and hosted her first North Korean defector over 12 years ago in Virginia. She was not prepared for the impact it would have on her life. Since then, through this community, she has met some of the dearest people, and her burden for North Korean refugees continues to grow.

Lisa attended Cortland University, where she majored in Education. She homeschooled her five children, two of whom went on to earn advanced degrees, while the other two run their own companies. Currently, her youngest daughter, after graduating university in her second language, has signed with B&B Entertainment and lives in Seoul. Lisa has over 25 years of experience teaching and influencing young people.

After helping host a fundraising concert at her home church to free a North Korean, Lisa started NK Missions with her husband, Lou. They currently reside in Busan. She taught English at Jangdaehyun School for 9 years and now leads NK Missions. She also teaches defector students in an after school program she began, and leads various initiatives, including partnering with Heavenly Dream School for their annual English Unification Camp and starting a jewelry company, A Second Chance, where proceeds go to North Korean defector Schools. The stories of these remarkable students make her aware of their great strength and power, as well as their determination to work hard and make a difference in the world. They have earned her love and respect.

Contact Lisa at lisa@nkmissions.org

Lou Gallo, director

Pastor Lou’s passion to work with North Korean refugees came from meeting and hearing the stories from the first defector he met 12 years ago. Hearing about the horrible conditions in NK moved Lou to do something. A few months later, Lou and his wife, Lisa hosted a concert at their church to raise funds to assist in the escape of a North Korean youth, who now resides in the United States.

In 2014, Lou and Lisa started NK Missions to assist North Korean refugees assimilate into free societies. Lou speaks at conferences and in churches on Korean unification and raises awareness of the human rights atrocities in North Korea.

Pastor Lou, Lisa, live in Busan, South Korea. In addition to serving as a director for NK Missions, he is a professor at a local university and serves as an English Pastor at Sooyoungro Church in Busan. He has a BS from Rochester Institute of Technology and advanced training through CCEF’s online course administration. He has been a Pastor for nearly 40 years in New York, Virginia and now in Busan.

Contact Lou at lou@nkmissions.org.