The 2nd North Korean Defectors’ Day, Creating a Future Where We Overcome Differences and Become One

 Koh Ha-eun (Seoul Jung-gu Chapter)

On the occasion of the 2nd North Korean Defectors’ Day. Various events were held under the theme of "Creating a Future Together Where We Overcome Differences and Become One". 

On July 12, the Seoul Jung-gu Chapter had a meaningful time with mentors and mentees visiting an exhibition at COEX and watching the opera "Dosan Ahn Chang-ho," which commemorated the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation. On July 17, they attended the "First Concert with North Korean Defectors” organized by the Seoul Assembly, where they listened to the stories of North Korean defectors who are active in South Korean society. They also enjoyed classical music performances, and had a time to wish for inter-Korean harmony and unification through music.

The North Korean Defectors’ Day is a national holiday designated to promote the rights and welfare of North Koreans who have fled North Korea and settled in South Korea, and to support their social integration. 

The day aims to raise social awareness of the lives of North Korean defectors and build empathy for the difficulties they face through various events and programs. Here's a look at the events, along with lively stories from the event sites and interviews with participants.

A message of peaceful unification conveyed through exhibition and opera

The Seoul Jung-gu Chapter hosted a peaceful unification drawing contest at Namsan in May. The chapter opened a booth to celebrate the second North Korean Defectors’ Day as part of the PUAC programs. The chapter introduced the drawings made by the children and asked them to put flower stickers on their favorite drawings to collect their opinions and delivered souvenirs. Many participants visited the booth to get good memories.

The participants moved to the Seoul Arts Center to watch the opera 'Dosan Ahn Changho', which was performed in celebration of the 80th anniversary of liberation. 

The opera viewing was sponsored by Lee Man-geun, Chairman of the Public Communication Standing Committee, who is leading the North Korean defector-related work in the Jung-gu chapter. The North Korean defectors participating in the mentor-mentee program expressed their opinions that South and North Korea should strive for peaceful unification with one mind through operas about liberation. After the viewing the opera, they had a time to feedback and supplement the North Korean defector mentor-mentee activities of the 21st-term PUAC.

South and North connected through stories and music

On July 17, the group attended the "First Concert with North Korean Defectors" organized by the Seoul Assembly, where they participated in a talk concert by North Korean refugees in the first part and enjoyed a concert in the second part. 

In the first-part North Korean defector talk concert, Park Yu-seong and Kang Nara talked about life in North Korea, the problems of adjusting to life after defection, and the differences between South Korean and North Korean societies. 

The second part of the event, the "Harmony of Peace between South and North Korea" Team (Kim Hyeon-ho, Jeong Rae-jong, Kim Seong-sil, Han Seo-hui, and Hwang Sang-hyuk) consisting of artists from the two Koreas, gave the audience a chance to think about the possibility of exchange through music by presenting traditional music from South and North Korea together. The audience was also able to feel the power of peace, unification, and the arts by listening to the performances of conductor Gum Nanse who represents the Korean classical music scene and the New World Philharmonic Orchestra. 

"Future We Make by Overcoming Difference and Becoming One" - Voices of Participants

While covering the two North Korean Defectors’ Day events, I was able to hear from a variety of participants. Here are some of their thoughts and suggestions.

Lee Man-geun, Chairman of the Public Communication Standing Committee, Jung-gu Chapter, Seoul

I saw the hope of unification in the paintings expressed through the innocent eyes of children, and the performance of the opera "Dosan Ahn Chang-ho" was a message of liberation elevated in the form of art. 

As the chairman of the Public Communication Committee, I am happy to be able to organize and participate in events to promote communication between South and North Korea. 

Chun Andrei, PUAC council member, Seoul Jung-gu Chapter 

What impressed me in the talk show was the poverty gap between South and North Korea and the stories of life as a soldier in North Korea. I would like to propose friendly events such as a trot song competition for North Korean defectors and a naturalization program for integration.

Park Kyu-an, youth intern, Resettlement Support Division, Ministry of Unification

Preparing for the North Korean Defectors’ Day as a youth intern at the Ministry of Unification, I experienced the impact of policies on real life. I would like to continue to think about policies that promote the values of integration and empathy.

Kim Do-yeon, North Korean defector

I was deeply moved by a child's painting 'We Shouldn't Fight'. Viewing the creative opera 'Dosan Ahn Chang-ho' was a valuable time that reminded me of the value of freedom and peace.

Kim Un-hui, North Korean defector ('Hana Ul' representative)

I expanded our mentoring activities and created the North Korean defector community 'Hana Ul'. We are growing into a true community by sharing warm meals and hometown food. We are not beneficiaries but main agents who create something together. .

Choi Yun-mi, Senior Counselor, Korea Hana Foundation

Viewing exhibition and opera with North Korean defectors made me realize the healing and communicative power of culture. I believe that experiences like these can be a pathway to social integration.