Gangbuk-gu Delivers 'Mental Health Care Packages' to North Korean Defectors

Soy Milk, Nuts, Personal Hygiene Products Included in 'Mind Health Package'... Delivered by Parcel to North Korean Defector Families Living in the Region

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Gyeom-su) is providing a 'Mind Health Package' to North Korean defectors experiencing emotional distress due to COVID-19.

The 'Mind Health Package' consists of one box each of nuts and soy milk, along with personal hygiene items such as hand sanitizer. It is scheduled to be sent via non-face-to-face delivery to the addresses of North Korean defectors by the end of this month.

The support targets North Korean defectors residing in the area who are in crisis households. Recipients will be selected from those recommended by the Gangbuk Police Station and the Seoul Northern Hana Center, a local adaptation institution for defectors. Priority will be given based on crisis situations such as single-parent families, single-person households, and elderly living alone.

Earlier last month, the North Korean Defector Support Council decided on the 'Mind Health Package' as a settlement project for North Korean defectors. This is a substitute program prepared after the annual cultural experience event was canceled due to COVID-19. Since 2012, the district has operated the North Korean Defector Support Council in collaboration with local community organizations. This was to establish a professional and efficient support system through a public-private network. The council discusses matters related to employment and living support for North Korean defectors.

Separately, the Seoul Gangbuk-gu Council of the National Unification Advisory Council also participated in sharing warm support for North Korean defectors in the local community.

At the end of last month, a sharing event hosted by the National Unification Advisory Council and supported by the district delivered 10 kg of love-filled kimchi per household to North Korean defectors.

Park Gyeom-su, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “I hope the Mind Health Package will be a small help to North Korean defectors whose minds and bodies are exhausted due to COVID-19,” and added, “We will strive in various ways to help North Korean defectors lead stable daily lives.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.