Unification Deputy Minister Meets Female North Korean Defectors to Encourage Them: "Exploring Job and Childcare Support Measures"

On the 5th, ahead of 'International Women's Day' on the 8th, Kim Su-kyung, Vice Minister of Unification, met with female North Korean defectors to encourage them.

On the 5th, Kim Su-gyeong, Vice Minister of Unification (second from the left), is meeting and conversing with North Korean defector women at H Lounge in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Ministry of Unification

According to the Ministry of Unification, Vice Minister Kim held a meeting in the morning at H Lounge in Jongno-gu, Seoul, with six female North Korean defectors active in various fields such as entrepreneurs, office workers, and university students. The attendees shared difficulties and overcoming experiences as women during the settlement process and exchanged opinions on necessary settlement support measures closely related to daily life, such as jobs and childcare.

Park Hye-sung, CEO of Jinsol Coffee, who succeeded in starting a business as a female North Korean defector, said, "North Korean women defectors have strong willpower and excellent adaptability to change, making them highly likely to succeed through entrepreneurship. I hope the government takes active interest and support in the startups of female defectors." The social enterprise Jinsol Coffee operates directly managed coffee shops in one location in Seoul and two in Gwangju.

Park, a 'working mom' balancing work and childcare, said, "In a situation where there is no one to help with childcare, I experienced many trial and errors due to differences in childcare culture between South and North Korea and communication difficulties. To escape the isolation of the childcare environment, it is necessary to provide information on childcare support systems and form childcare networks."

Vice Minister Kim said, "It was a time to understand the various difficulties women face in the settlement field," and added, "We will continuously communicate with the field and devise practical support measures such as job and startup support, resolving childcare difficulties, and mental health support."