Bucheon City provided a meaningful platform for communication with North Korean defectors through the "210, Bucheon TalkTalk" city hall tour program on July 14th. The significance of the event was further amplified as it coincided with the 'North Korean Defectors' Day', which was established in 2024. This event showcased Bucheon City's consistent efforts to support the settlement of North Korean defectors in the local community, and the city plans to expand practical support through various communication opportunities in the future.
Commemorating North Korean Defectors' Day: A Time for Communication and Empathy
July 14th marked the 'North Korean Defectors' Day', officially established by the South Korean government in 2024 to raise social awareness about North Korean defectors and support their stable settlement. On this meaningful day, Bucheon City invited 15 North Korean defectors who settled in Bucheon through the Gyeonggi-Seobu Hana Center for a city hall tour and communication program. This event went beyond a simple facility tour, becoming a valuable opportunity for North Korean defectors to directly enhance their understanding of the local community and offer opinions on city administration.
Collaboration with Gyeonggi-Seobu Hana Center: Practical Settlement Support
All North Korean defectors who participated in the event had settled in Bucheon City through the Gyeonggi-Seobu Hana Center. The Gyeonggi-Seobu Hana Center is a key institution under the Ministry of Unification that provides comprehensive support in housing, employment, education, and medical care to North Korean defectors who have completed their training at Hanaone, the settlement support office for North Korean defectors, enabling them to establish stable roots in the local community. Notably, Center Director Kim Sung-rim is the first Hana Center director who is herself a North Korean defector, and her experience and leadership serve as a significant inspiration to other defectors. This close collaboration with the center plays a crucial role in enabling Bucheon City to accurately identify the needs of North Korean defectors and devise practical support measures.
Major Facility Tours and In-depth Q&A Sessions
Participants toured major cultural and recreational facilities in Bucheon City, including the Bucheon Art Center and Oxygen Garden. At the Bucheon Art Center concert hall, in particular, a high level of interest and numerous questions about the facility's excellence were observed, indicating the North Korean defectors' strong desire for and willingness to participate in cultural activities. These tours helped them directly experience Bucheon City's cultural infrastructure and feel a sense of belonging as members of the local community.
Sharing Settlement Stories and Policy Proposals
Even more meaningful discussions took place during the communication session that followed the tour. Mayor Cho Yong-ik of Bucheon City presented commendations to exemplary North Korean defectors who settled in Bucheon, and the introduction of the Gyeonggi-Seobu Hana Center's activities re-emphasized the importance of supporting North Korean defectors. Furthermore, participants shared their settlement experiences, offering each other encouragement and wisdom, and put forth concrete proposals for Bucheon City's policies, including expanding support for North Korean defectors. These proposals are expected to serve as valuable groundwork for the city in formulating future policies for North Korean defectors.
Commitment to Continuous Communication and Practical Support
Bucheon City Mayor Cho Yong-ik expressed his empathy during the event, stating, "It was a time to feel the diverse experiences North Korean defectors went through to settle in Bucheon." He also emphasized Bucheon City's firm commitment, asserting, "We will continuously pursue practical support policies to ensure that North Korean defectors do not face difficulties during their settlement process."
Bucheon City plans to continue operating programs like "210, Bucheon TalkTalk" and establish various cooperative systems to actively support North Korean defectors in stably settling and becoming self-reliant in the local community. These efforts are expected to contribute to North Korean defectors establishing themselves as healthy members of society and further promoting understanding and harmony between North and South Korean residents.
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