The Ministry of Unification pushes to enact North Korean Defectors’
Day on July 14
Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho attends the inauguration ceremony
of the Special Committee for Accompanying Residents with Backgrounds
from North Korea of the Presidential Committee of National Cohesion
(February 21)
On February 21, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho attended the
inauguration ceremony of the Special Committee for Accompanying
Residents with Backgrounds from North Korea (Special Committee) of the
Presidential Committee of National Cohesion, and announced the
official designation of July 14 as a commemorative day for North
Korean defectors.
The ceremony was attended by 21 officials, including Chairperson of
the Presidential Committee of National Cohesion, Head of Subcommittee
Kim Meengeon, and Head of Special Committee Lee Hyunchul.
* The Special Committee for Accompanying Residents with Backgrounds
from North Korea of the Presidential Committee of National Cohesion
plans to comprehensively review settlement support policies for North
Korean defectors under the theme of “Accompanying North Korean
Residents” and devise improvement plans by the end of May.
Minister Kim expressed gratitude for the launch of the Special
Committee as the key minister overseeing North Korean defector
policies. He added that the Ministry of Unification will designate
July 14 as a commemorative day for North Korean defectors, the day on
which the North Korean Defectors Act*, the foundation for the current
legal status of North Korean defectors and settlement support
policies, was enforced by gathering opinions from officials across all
social standings.
* The North Korean Defectors Protection And Settlement Support Act
(The North Korean Defectors Act) came into force on July 14, 1997,
with consensus between the ruling and opposition parties in December
1996, during the Kim Young-sam administration.
In relation to this, Minister Kim announced that the ministry will
hold the first anniversary of the North Korean Defectors’ Day as
relevant laws and regulations are modified. He added that a memorial
space to remember those lost during their escape from the North will
also be created.
Furthermore, Minister Kim stated that the South Korean government
will strengthen support policies to assist North Korean defectors in
successfully settling into our society and continue to collaborate
with the Presidential Committee of National Cohesion to enhance
awareness of North Korean defectors and promote inclusive culture.
