Psychological and Emotional Stability of North Korean Defectors and Fostering Pride as Gyeonggi Residents
Various Music Performances by Nam-Buk Tongil Korea Orchestra, Gyeonggi Pops Ensemble, and Trot Singer Kim Suchan
Gyeonggi Province announced on the 4th that on the 2nd, it held a 'Peace Concert' at Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri in Paju City, where North Korean defectors and participants in the South-North family reunion project, along with residents from various sectors, came together to unite through culture and arts.
The concert was organized to provide an opportunity for North Korean defectors and residents to come together, promoting psychological and emotional stability and fostering pride as residents of Gyeonggi Province.
On that day, the concert offered the audience moving and enjoyable performances through distinctive music by trot singers, a pops ensemble, and a band composed of North Korean defectors.
In particular, the 'Harmony of Peace' stage by the Nam-Buk Tongil Korea Band, composed of North Korean defectors, received enthusiastic applause and delivered a powerful emotional impact. They presented songs conveying messages of inter-Korean harmony, including "Tongil Korea," leaving a deep impression on attendees.
Following this, the 'Gyeonggi Pops Ensemble' performed elegant melodies accompanied by bass singer Lee Seung-hee and tenor Lee Sang-chul, who sang pop songs, classical pieces, and drama OSTs, eliciting a warm response from the audience. Trot singer Kim Soo-chan touched the hearts of attendees with songs such as "Sarangjaengi" and "Majungmul Sarang."
Jeon Cheol, Director of Gyeonggi Province's Peace Infrastructure Division, said, "Through this concert, we hope to melt the frozen atmosphere between the North and South and create an opportunity for communication and harmony among residents from both Koreas." He added, "Gyeonggi Province will continue to provide generous support and attention to settlement support projects so that North Korean defectors can become proud members of Korean society and live happy lives."
As of the end of September this year, the number of North Korean defectors residing in Gyeonggi Province totals 11,131, the largest population nationwide. This accounts for 35.5% of the national total of 31,393.
Accordingly, the province has allocated a total budget of 2,766 million KRW this year to support the stable settlement of North Korean defectors, operating 14 projects across four areas: △ Establishing an economic self-reliance foundation △ Supporting the formation of 'healthy families' △ Promoting communication and harmony between North and South Korean residents to create 'warm neighbors' △ Strengthening integrated safety management to resolve settlement crises for North Korean defectors. Next year, the province plans to expand settlement support projects, including enhancing the learning abilities of children of North Korean defectors.
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