North Korean defector group “Ministry of Unification calls ‘North Korean defectors’, denies identity of North Korean defectors” (comprehensive)

North Korean defectors opposed to the title 'North Koreans' held a rally and called for the resignation of Unification Minister Chung Dong-young.

On the 12th, the National Association of North Korean Defectors (hereinafter referred to as the National Association) held a rally opposing the name ‘North Korean Defectors’ in front of the Seoul Government Complex.

About 50 North Korean defectors, mainly members of organizations affiliated with the National Association, participated in the rally.

This rally was held in opposition to the Ministry of Unification and the political world's use of the title North Koreans by the Ministry of Unification and the political circles, following the submission of an amendment to the 'Act on Protection and Settlement Support of North Korean Refugees' (proposed by Rep. Kim Jae-won of the Democratic Party of Korea), which changes the legal term 'North Korean defectors' to 'North Korean defectors', at the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee.

Participants held in their hands ‘No North Koreans! North Korean Defector Yes!' Holding signs with the words “We are North Korean defectors!” and “Chung Dong-young, step down!” shouted slogans, etc.

Lee Eun-taek, secretary-general of the Korean Federation of Korea, who moderated the event, said, "We are people who escaped North Korea in shame at the Kim regime, and 'defector' is our identity," and added, "We refuse to be called 'North Koreans', which denies our identity."

Secretary-General Lee said, "The Ministry of Unification says 'North Korean defector' is a term that promotes discrimination, but the person trying to discriminate does not change even if it is changed to North Korean defector," and demanded the resignation of Minister Jeong, who is pushing for a title change that the parties do not want.

After the rally, the Ministry of Unification repeatedly stated that the basic purpose of using the term North Korean refugees is for respect and integration beyond the social settlement of North Korean refugees.

An official from the Ministry of Unification said, "The government, including the North Korean people's organizations that attended today's rally, has been listening and listening to the various voices of North Korean people. As the government is always open to dialogue and communication, we hope to be able to negotiate through continuous mutual communication rather than through confrontation."

Since the beginning of this year, the Ministry of Unification has been using the legal term "North Korean defector" instead of "North Korean defector" or "North Korean defector."

However, as controversy and criticism continued that there was a lack of consensus, including opposition from North Korean defectors, Minister Chung withdrew during the National Assembly audit last month, saying that he would conduct a full-scale investigation to gather public opinion regarding the title of North Korean defectors.