Ministry of Unification Focuses on Managing North Korean Defector Households in Crisis: "Monthly Direct Checks"

2023 Plan for Supporting North Korean Defectors' Settlement Confirmed
Protection for Vulnerable Groups... Settlement Allowance Up to 9 Million KRW for Single-Person Households

The Ministry of Unification has decided to directly manage North Korean defectors (NK defectors) in crisis households and visit them monthly. The basic settlement allowance for single-person households will be increased up to 9 million won, and the settlement support system has been significantly overhauled, including strengthening the management of serious criminals to prevent the recurrence of forced repatriation incidents involving North Korean fishermen.

The Ministry of Unification announced on the 16th that it reviewed and approved the 2023 Settlement Support Implementation Plan for North Korean Defectors containing these details. The Ministry reached this conclusion after holding a written meeting of the Protection and Settlement Support Council for North Korean Defectors from the 6th to the 13th. The formulation of this implementation plan involved 20 government agencies and local governments, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Justice, Seoul City, Gyeonggi Province, and Incheon City.

Ministry of Unification

The basic direction of this year’s implementation plan was set as an "Inclusive Settlement Support Policy for North Korean Defectors." Specifically, it focused on ▲ strengthening support for vulnerable groups ▲ improving the settlement support system ▲ enhancing self-reliance and self-support assistance.

First, as reinforcement of the settlement support system was required following last year’s "lonely death" incidents among NK defectors, the Ministry of Unification established a system to identify and support defectors facing crises early. Specifically, 1,200 individuals who are at risk of falling into welfare blind spots were selected for direct management. This resolves the issue of responsibilities being dispersed among the Ministry of Unification, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and various local governments. The Ministry plans to quickly detect crisis situations and provide necessary support.

An official from the Ministry of Unification explained, "We calculate crisis indicators for about 1,200 people and the North Korean Defector Safety Support Team directly visits about 120 people each month."

Additionally, for defectors experiencing psychological and emotional difficulties, a trauma treatment system will be established through cooperation among the North Korean Defector Settlement Support Office (Hanawon), the South-North Hanawon Foundation, and specialized medical institutions. This change appears to respond to calls for emotional support beyond material assistance. Furthermore, institutional support such as jobs, education, and medical care will be centralized around the South-North Hanawon Foundation, and each Hanawon Center will be reorganized to serve as a regional hub for integrated safety support.

The basic settlement allowance provided to help early settlement of defectors entering the country will also be increased by 1 million won after four years, reaching 9 million won for single-person households. In addition, the upper limit for emergency living expenses and the lifetime total limit have been raised, with the per-case support limit increasing from 1 million won to 1.5 million won, and the lifetime total limit increasing from 3 million won to 5 million won.

Going forward, the Ministry of Unification plans to pursue legal revisions to strengthen management of serious criminals among defectors. This is interpreted as a measure to prevent recurrence of the 2019 incident where North Korean fishermen were forcibly repatriated due to being classified as serious criminals. A Ministry official stated, "For serious criminals entering the country, after review by the Settlement Support Council, we may request investigations or consider other possibilities." Related legislation is currently under consultation with the Ministry of Government Legislation, and the Minister of Unification is expected to be the entity requesting investigations.

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