PUAC Gyeonggi-do Assembly, Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police sign agreement.

- To establish organic cooperation system to stably protect and support North Korean defectors -

The PUAC’s Gyeonggi-do Assembly (Vice-chairperson Hong Seung-pyo) signed on April 24 an agreement with the Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police (Commissioner General Kim Do-hyung) to protect and support North Korean defectors at the Cheonbo Conference Room on the 5th floor of the Bukbu Provincial Police. 

<View of the agreement signing ceremony>

The ceremony was organized to realize the "active role to warmly embrace North Korean defectors" that the President, who chairs the PUAC, said in the fourth cabinet meeting. It was attended by about 20 people, including Gyeonggi-do Assembly Vice-chairperson Hong Seung-pyo, Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Commissioner General Kim Do-hyung, and the heads of chapters in northern Gyeonggi. 

Vice-chairperson Hong Seung-pyo expressed his gratitude for the active cooperation of the National Police Agency in the Lunar New Year celebration with North Korean refugees held in Gyeonggi Province earlier this year. "We will strive to work together with the Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police to support North Korean refugees to live as equal citizens in a free and democratic society." 

Commissioner General Kim Do-hyung, mentioning an anecdote about a North Korean defector that he experienced in the Second Hanawon in Hwacheon, a city in Gangwon where he was posted, said, "We will continue to think of North Korean defectors as the heralds of reunification, and we will cooperate extensively with organizations and institutions in various fields, including the PUAC, so that they can live stably in the community." 

After the remarks of the representatives of organizations, the agreement was signed and exchanged. Under the agreement, the two sides will work closely together on matters related to support for North Korean defectors’ settlement such as employment, education, medical care, and legal aid so that North Korean defectors can be embraced as equal citizens. The two agencies will also cooperate closely for policy recommendations reflecting the opinions of the field. 

<Signing and exchange of agreement x-documents>

Following the signing and exchange of the agreement, specific opinions on cooperation plans were discussed. Guri-si Chapter Head Kim Tae-seop said, "It is important for the National Police Agency to form a reliable relationship while promoting the work of protecting and supporting North Korean defectors continuously." "We will consider ways to support North Korean defectors if the police let the PUAC know what difficulties North Korean defectors have."

Yangju-si Chapter Head Lee Sang-won said, "The Yangju-si Chapter too is trying to contact North Korean defectors in order to warmly embrace them, but it is difficult due to their personal status." "The National Police Agency should play a bridge role so that the PUAC can actively mentor North Korean defectors." 

<Listening to opinions on cooperation ways: Kim Tae-seop (left), Head of Guri-si Chapter; Lee Sang-won (right), Head of Yangju-si Chapter> 

After listening to the opinions, the participants from both organizations took a commemorative photo and concluded the event with a commitment to actively support the 2,100 North Korean defectors living in northern Gyeonggi Province. 

<Commemorative photo>

The Gyeonggi-do Assembly, which signed an agreement with the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency on March 14, plans to conduct various reunification activities to help North Korean defectors feel integrated and proud as equal members of a free and democratic community under the agreement with the Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Agency.