The U.S. State Department unveiled a new private sponsorship program for refugees Thursday, potentially paving the way for U.S. citizens and residents to play a direct role in supporting the resettlement of refugees from around the world — including North Korea.

Hailing the launch of the new Welcome Corps, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the program seeks to mobilize at least 10,000 Americans this year to sponsor as many as 5,000 refugees approved under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

“By launching the Welcome Corps, we build on a proud tradition of providing refuge