Ministry of Unification: "North Korean Defector Presumed to Have Defected to North Korea Receives Housing, Livelihood, and Employment Support"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Ministry of Unification announced on the 4th that a North Korean defector who crossed the military fence and defected to North Korea on the 1st, just one year after defecting, had been receiving government livelihood and employment support normally until now.

A Ministry of Unification official explained to reporters on the same day in response to related questions, "In the case of the defector presumed to have defected to North Korea this time, comprehensive support regarding personal protection, housing, medical care, livelihood, and employment was provided in accordance with the Act on the Protection and Settlement Support of North Korean Refugees."

After entering the country, North Korean defectors receive 12 weeks of social adaptation education at Hanawon, and after moving to their residence, they receive various support including personal protection, employment, and education for five years.

Meanwhile, when asked about the U.S. Department of Defense's statement in March that there would be no changes to the schedule of the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, the official replied, "At this stage, we have nothing to say," and added, "We will continue to review this issue through consultations among related agencies." In this regard, Lee Seok-hyun, the senior vice chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council, a presidential advisory body, proposed last month to postpone the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises.

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