President Lee Jae-myung: "Lives of North Korean Defectors Are a Valuable Asset for Preparing Our Future"

President Lee Jae-myung stated that the lives of North Korean defectors, referred to as "Bukhyangmin" (people from the North), "will firmly become a valuable asset in preparing for a future where the two Koreas live together."

President Lee delivered this message in a written congratulatory address read by Lim Ung-soon, Second Deputy Director of the National Security Office, at a commemorative event held at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, this morning.

"The lives of you, the Bukhyangmin, are delivering hope and inspiration to our society," President Lee said. "The experience of understanding and trusting one another within a new community will serve as the foundation for social integration."

He continued, "As you are proud citizens of the Republic of Korea, the government will take even greater care to ensure that you do not have to bear the weight of life alone.

I promise that the central government, local governments, and the private sector will join forces to create an environment where you can fully unleash your potential," he emphasized.

He further stated, "We will unswervingly walk the path toward establishing permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula and achieving mutual prosperity between the South and the North.

We will do our utmost to open a future of coexistence and cooperation, moving beyond conflict and confrontation."

Approximately 1,000 people, including North Korean defectors and those involved in settlement support, attended today's event.

In 2024, the government designated this day as the national "North Korean Defectors' Day," based on the fact that the "Act on Protection and Settlement Support for North Korean Defectors" was enacted on July 14, 1997. This year marks the third anniversary of the event.

At this event, the Ministry of Unification used the term "Bukhyangmin" alongside the legal term "North Korean defector."

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said in his encouraging remarks following a presentation on exemplary settlement cases, "This is the first year we are commemorating this day under the name 'Bukhyangmin.' A name speaks to one's identity.

The term 'defector' contains hidden discrimination and exclusion."

He explained that after taking office as Unification Minister last year, he ordered a review of the terminology, and following six months of gathering opinions, the government has officially referred to North Korean defectors as "Bukhyangmin" rather than "defectors" since January 1 of this year.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.