Gyeonggi-do to Implement 13 Support Measures in 4 Areas for North Korean Defectors This Year... 2.76 Billion KRW

by Lee YeongKyu

Published 25 Jan.2024 15:06(KST)

Oh Hu-seok, Deputy Governor for Administrative Affairs of Gyeonggi Province, is holding a communication meeting with North Korean defectors at the Northern Government Complex of Gyeonggi Province on the 25th.

On the 25th, Gyeonggi Province held a communication session at the Uijeongbu Gyeonggi Provincial Government Northern Office to listen to the difficulties faced by North Korean defectors during their settlement process in order to support their stable settlement.

Earlier, Gyeonggi Province conducted a research project titled “Study on Improvement Measures for the Settlement Support System for North Korean Defectors in Gyeonggi Province” to prepare customized support policies according to the life cycle of North Korean defectors last year.

Based on the research project, this year Gyeonggi Province has allocated a total budget of 2.725 billion KRW, including 676 million KRW from provincial funds and 2.049 billion KRW from national funds, to promote 13 support policies in four areas: ▲establishing an economic self-reliance foundation ▲supporting the formation of ‘healthy families’ ▲communication and harmony projects between South and North Korean residents to create ‘warm neighbors’ ▲strengthening integrated safety management to resolve settlement crises of North Korean defectors.

Gyeonggi Province plans to expand support projects by reflecting the opinions of North Korean defectors as much as possible during the implementation of support policies.

Oh Hu-seok, Deputy Governor for Administration of Gyeonggi Province, said, “North Korean defectors are often called ‘the first unification.’ Since their social settlement plays an important role in how we perceive North Korean defectors, we will promote various settlement support projects to help them enjoy a stable life.”