N. Korean defectors protest change in legal term referring to them

SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- A group of North Korean defectors staged a rally in Seoul on Thursday to protest a proposed legal revision aimed at changing a term referring to them to one that they claim negates their identity as people who fled the repressive regime in Pyongyang.

The rally came as the revision was proposed at a parliamentary committee to adopt the new term, "North Korean-born citizens," an expression that the unification ministry says can help address the negative connotation associated with the current term, "North Korean defectors," and promote their identity as equal South Korean citizens.

"We are people who fled North Korea due to our hatred for the Kim regime, and defection is our identity," a key member of the group said. "We reject the term 'North Korean-born citizens' that negates our identity."

The defectors held up signs that read, "North Korean-born citizens, No! North Korean defectors, Yes!", while calling for Unification Minister Chung Dong-young to step down over the proposed term change.

In a policy briefing to President Lee Jae Myung late last year, the unification ministry said it would gradually adopt the new term for the defectors. Beginning this year, the ministry has used it in its official documents and presentations.