The 21st PUAC Holds Workshop for Overseas Cadre Members

The PUAC held a Workshop of the 21st-term Overseas Cadre Members on August 28-30. A total of 54 people attended the workshop, including 4 vice-chairs of overseas assemblies, 7 overseas members of the Executive Committee members, and 43 overseas chapter heads. The workshop was meaningful in that it was joined by domestic assembly vice-chairs and chapter heads of the 21st-term PUAC.

The first day on August 28 began with an exchange of greetings between the overseas cadre members and the Secretariat staff. Head of the Eurasia Region Division Lee Seung-bong briefed about the workshop schedule, and Executive Vice-chair Kim Kwan-yong hosted a welcome dinner in the evening.

In a speech at the welcome dinner, Kim congratulated the participants on their appointment to the 21st PUAC and thanked them for taking on the heavy responsibilities of overseas cadre members, especially at a time when global issues have become so important and sensitive.

Kim then emphasized that the PUAC should pursue "peaceful reunification based on liberal democracy" and called on overseas cadre members to become a strong pillar to support the President's reunification policy.

Finally, Kim said the network and solidarity of the cadre members are a valuable asset for the PUAC and the Republic of Korea.

The next day (August 29) had an orientation session to share the direction of the overseas regional activities of the 21st PUAC and discuss how to effectively operate the overseas regional assemblies and chapters. Park Hak-min, head of the Americas Region Division, briefed about the overall operation manual of the overseas regional assemblies and chapters, followed by group discussions with officers of the Americas and Eurasia Divisions on details of overseas operation.

At the end of the morning, the participants met Secretary General Seok Dong-hyeon, who gave words of encouragement to the overseas cadre members.

The Secretary General emphasized that the 21st PUAC is putting focus on activating the unification network of overseas Koreans.

Seok said overseas cadre members should be defined as leaders who are proactive and participate in the field work to gather capabilities and resolve for unification. He called on them to take the lead in transforming conflicts that have arisen at various levels into engines of harmony and unification.

Finally, Seok said overseas cadre members represent the PUAC and are the face of the Korean government. He asked them to have pride and -esteem as pro-unification public diplomats and respect the dignity of each member.

In the afternoon, the overseas cadre members attended the "Unification Dialogue with the 21st-term Cadre Members" at the Cheong Wa Dae State Guesthouse. They later attended the opening ceremony of the joint workshop with the domestic cadre members, where they received a report on the formation of the 21st PUAC from the Secretary General and a report on the operation of the 21st-term overseas regional assemblies and chapters from Dong Seung-chul, director of the Member Assistance Bureau.

On the last day, August 30, the overseas cadre members had a second orientation session with their respective regional officers to prepare for the inaugural meetings of the 21st PUAC’s overseas assemblies and chapters, including the schedule, procedures and other matters.

Then they participated in the appointment letter presentation ceremony, where they were once again congratulated on their appointment to the PUAC and received their appointment letters from the Executive Vice-chair and the Secretary General. The workshop concluded with concluding remarks by the Executive Vice-chair.