[Square] Support System for North Korean Defectors' Settlement, Steadily Improving

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As of the end of December 2021, the cumulative number of North Korean defectors who have entered South Korea reached 33,815. Since the enactment of the "North Korean Defectors Act" in 1997, the government has been implementing support systems in various fields to help defectors settle stably in our society. Last year, particular efforts were made to strengthen support for vulnerable groups among North Korean defectors and to improve related systems to promote their economic activities.

When North Korean defectors first enter society, they receive basic economic support called "settlement funds," and for certain groups, an additional "supplementary allowance" is provided on top of this settlement fund. Since January 2021, the government has increased the support amount for this supplementary allowance by about 12% for more vulnerable defectors, such as the elderly, single-parent families, and households raising children born in third countries.

A policy to provide stronger protection for North Korean defector children and adolescents who enter the country without accompanying direct-line ascendant guardians such as parents or grandparents has also been institutionalized by law. The amendment to the "North Korean Defectors Act," which establishes procedures for selecting guardians and custodians for unaccompanied defector youth and allows for securing contact information in urgent cases, passed the National Assembly in December last year. This will be implemented starting this June.

Additionally, to strengthen rapid, customized comprehensive support for vulnerable defectors, the government established the "North Korean Defectors Safety Support Team" within the Ministry of Unification on the 7th of last month through cooperation with related agencies. They have begun collaboration with local governments, the National Police Agency, and other relevant organizations that possess various welfare resources and expertise.

The "Employment Incentive" program, designed to promote employment and long-term retention of defectors, also saw an increase in support amounts starting January 2021. The "Employment Incentive" provides financial incentives for up to three years to defectors who have worked at the same company for more than six months. The maximum amount for three years of continuous employment increased by 1.5 million KRW to 18 million KRW in the metropolitan area and 21 million KRW in provincial areas, respectively.

The government operates the "Future Happiness Account" system to support asset formation and reduce dependency among North Korean defectors. From 2021, eligibility requirements were relaxed to allow more defectors to benefit from the program.

Through continuous efforts to improve the system, significant improvements were observed last year in key settlement indicators for North Korean defectors. The average monthly wage of defectors increased from 1,787,000 KRW in 2017 to 2,277,000 KRW in 2021, and the average length of employment rose from 25.2 months to 31.3 months, showing improved employment indicators despite COVID-19. The dropout rate among defector children and adolescents, an indicator of their adaptation, decreased from 2% in 2017 to 1.2% last year. The satisfaction with life in South Korea, a qualitative indicator of settlement status, increased from 73.6% to 76.5% during the same period.

The government's settlement support policy aims to provide inclusive support beyond initial livelihood assistance and subsequent self-reliance and self-support, tailored to the needs of North Korean defectors. The recent "3rd Basic Plan for North Korean Defectors Settlement Support" sets the vision of "realizing a warm society where North Korean defectors become neighbors," establishing the basic direction as a "social integration-oriented settlement support policy" that strengthens emotional and psychological support alongside economic assistance. The harmonious integration of North Korean defectors with South Korean residents is a very important part of the growth of our community.

The government plans to continue efforts this year to ensure that policies for North Korean defectors are implemented in line with this purpose, and will also strive to continuously supplement and improve any shortcomings encountered in the process.

Cho Jung-hoon, Director of Humanitarian Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Unification

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