Reaching into the lives of the people with North Korean defectors at
the 55th anniversary of the Unification Ministry’s founding
The Unification Ministry carries out volunteer work with North
Korean defectors on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the
Unification Ministry’s founding (March 4)
On March 4, the Ministry of Unification carried out volunteer work
with North Korean defectors on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of
the Unification Ministry’s founding
Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho explained, “In commemoration of the
55th anniversary of the founding of the Ministry of Unification, we
have decided to carry out volunteer work reaching into the lives of
the people.”
Minister Kim, together with “With,”* a North Korean defectors
volunteer corps, visited a community center for senior citizens in
Yancheon-gu and cleaned every square inch of the center. The minister
also provided words of encouragement to North Korean defectors while
sharing a luncheon.
Kim Do-jeong, leader of the corps who also participated in the
event, stated, “It was a meaningful occasion to show that North Korean
defectors are contributing members of our society and to interact with
local residents.”
* With Volunteer Corps: a volunteer group composed of North Korean
defectors (founded in 2010, 28 volunteers)
Additionally, Vice Minister Moon Seoung-hyun joined a cleanup
activity at Cheonggyecheon with North Korean defectors from Shelter
for Settlers*.
Events were also held at the Unification Culture Center (Magok) and
Hanawon, where North Korean defectors cooked food and delivered it to
nearby nursing homes and local residents.
* Shelter for Settlers: an online community for North Korean
defectors (founded in 2008, 38,000 members)
