2024.07.25. The Fair Economy — The Hana Foundation, a Ministry Of Unification-affiliated organization headed by Chairman Cho Min-ho, held a seminar titled "Employment Stories of North Korean Defectors Who Dream of 'My Job'" on the 25th in Seminar Room 2 of the National Assembly Members' Office Building, together with Rep. Park Chung-gwon of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee.
About 100 people, including North Korean defectors and officials from related organizations, attended the seminar, which examined the employment difficulties North Korean defectors face in terms of South Korean social systems and the working environment, and also discussed the challenges that defectors themselves need to address.
In his opening remarks, Rep. Park Chung-gwon said, "Like the people attending this event, I too am a North Korean defector. I had to stand on my own in an unfamiliar environment with no foundation to rely on. That is why I understand, better than anyone, the difficulties faced by the defectors here today."
He then emphasized, "On July 14, at the first North Korean Defectors' Day ceremony, President Yoon Suk-yeol pledged to make every effort for the settlement, capacity building, and integration of defectors. He also called defectors an important asset for unification. For defectors to become a solid asset for unification, capacity building is essential."
Rep. Park Chung-gwon said, "Competition for good jobs is fierce. I understand what people mean when they say finding employment is even harder than defecting itself. Through this event, we will gather good ideas for helping defectors find jobs and successfully settle into the workplace, and reflect them in our legislative work."
Hana Foundation Chairman Cho Min-ho said in his welcoming remarks, "For North Korean defectors, employment is the most crucial element of successful settlement. Through initiatives such as the 'One Company, One Hire' campaign, the Hana Foundation has made improving the employment and quality of life of North Korean defectors its top priority and is working on this in various ways."
He said, "I hope today's event provides an opportunity to collectively identify issues that need improvement in the Korean employment system and environment experienced by North Korean defectors."
In addition, Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Jung Jeom-sik, chairman of the party's Policy Committee, sent written congratulatory remarks.
Park Seong-jae, a research fellow at the Korea Labor Institute, gave the first presentation, suggesting that "policies should be pursued that reflect the changing demographic makeup of North Korean defectors, and an evaluation and diagnosis of the job training and incentive programs implemented so far should come first." He added that "it is necessary to strengthen capacity-building programs that reflect recent changes in industry and the labor market."
Next, Lee Ji-yeong, a professor at Seoul Cyber University, presented an analysis of the various reasons behind North Korean defectors' difficulty adjusting to the workplace. Professor Lee said, "While North Korean defectors are recognized by employers for their diligence and ability, it turns out they have very little experience with on-the-job training to improve their current job skills." She added, "Quite a few defectors have also experienced conflicts with South Korean colleagues due to habits formed at North Korean workplaces," arguing that sufficient workplace-adjustment training is also needed.
With former Vice Unification Minister Kim Hyeong-seok serving as moderator, all the presenters and discussants — including Ha Mu-jin, director of the Ministry Of Unification's Settlement Support Division, Lee Yeong-cheol, CEO of LTK, and Kim Hye-yeong, an employment counselor at the Hana Foundation — engaged in a free-ranging discussion with the audience.
Rep. Park Chung-gwon said, "I understand, better than anyone, the problems and difficulties North Korean defectors realistically face during the job-seeking process." He added, "While the central and local governments cooperate to strengthen employment support policies, I will also take the lead in establishing institutional mechanisms so that individuals can build up their capabilities."
Hana Foundation Chairman Cho Min-ho said, "This seminar provided a valuable opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of the difficulties North Korean defectors face during the job-seeking process and the stage of adjusting to the workplace." He added, "We will take another look at the content of our employment support policies for North Korean defectors to date and provide more practical and useful job training opportunities going forward."
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