The overseas conference of the 16th NUAC in the US region started last April 28,with the attending Council members praying for the victims and their bereaved families and subsequently concentrating on the lecture and group discussion.

During the morning session on the third day of the conference, following the report of Kim Dong-seok, Standing Director of the New York Citizens' Participating Center, Ryu Gil-jae, Minister of Unification, reported the ministry's recent activities. A total of 15 groups presented the results of group discussionsheld during the conference.

Kim Dong-seok emphasized the importance of the Grassroots Activities in American society when he delivered his lecture on "Public Diplomacy by Koreans in the USA." He reminded the attendees of the importance of the diplomatic roles and responsibilities of the Korean communities in America and noted that the activities of the overseas council members are monitored and the direction of their future activities is determined.

According to Kim, the broad range of social and cultural relations should be established based on the Korean-American community. Consolidating the political power of Koreans in America based on human infrastructure is important, he said. "The unification of the Korean peninsula and the resolution of thehuman rights issue of North Korea not only seekto defend the rights and interest of South Korea but are also subject to resolution at the international level. To draw the support of the USA for the unification policy of South Korea, overseas members of NUAC should grow as leaders in each area of America," he added.

Minister Ryu reported the state affairs under the subject "Direction and Subjects for the Unification Era of the Korean Peninsula." He forecast the unification vision by applying a mathematical concept. "The unification bonanza is factored to be divided into justifiability, opportunity, and hope. The justifiability of national unification is a clear and vivid fact, and it cannot be a matter of option," he stressed.

He went on to add that the unification of Korea will carry 3 strong abilities: economic vitality, cultural attraction, and national security. “Wheels are required to pull the chariot of the unification bonanza. It can move when the wheels of inter-Korean relations, international cooperation, and preparation for unification roll simultaneously. I wish overseas members of NUAC perform their roles and responsibilities in international societies," he said.

North Korean refugees recalled their former life in North Korea. Ji Seong-ho, a North Korean refugee and a representative of NAUH (Now Action & Unity for Human Rights),recounted what he himself experienced while he was in North Korea and told the attendees why the country should be unified.

His grandmother died of hunger when he was young, and he carried coals on his shoulder instead of a school bag to earn food. He lost an arm and a leg during a traffic accident while he was on his way to a coal mine. "Nobody helped me when I was bleeding; the people just passed by me to dig more coal quickly, and I can never forget them. Human beings are controlled by the situation. They neglect others' pain and anguish so that they will not starve. It's the North Korean society," he said.

He recalled losing his arm and leg, striving to survive with a hungry stomach while bleeding. North Korean authorities, who could not transfuse a single drop of blood,subjected him instead to all kinds of violence and abuse. He was caught in a flame of anger while talking about his past life in North Korea. After escaping from there, he crossed Tumen River, relying on wooden crutches, and came to South Korea via Laos. "I lost my dream, criticizing the reality there. The only dream I had was to walk freely. And my dream came true when I arrived in South Korea," he added.

"Whenever I wake up in the morning, I feel grateful for being able to live as a citizen of South Korea. Sometimes, I tried to conceal my identity as a North Korean refugee and a disabled person. Nonetheless, I decided to reveal my identity with confidence. How I look mirrors the life I have had," he explained.

He is now promoting his activities for human rights in North Korea and is hoping to continue his work for national unification. "I am determined to do anything for national unification. Whenever I think of my father, who was tortured to death at the North Korean police department, my heart breaks into pieces. I want to offer a glass of wine to the tomb of my father once Korea is unified," he said. All the attendees gave him a warm round of applause.

After the luncheon hosted by the president of the Korea Foreign Trade Association, Ko Hak-chan, president of the Seoul Arts Center, gave a special lecture titled "Communication and Arts". According to him, music is a window of communication beyond generations and races. One sound of music has stronger force than hundreds of words to draw sympathy, he said.“The most important element of music is harmony. We need to improve our ability to conduct an orchestra of national unification. To sing a song well, first, we should listen to our voice; second, we should listen to others. Finally, we should achieve harmony with others,acknowledging that we are different from one another. National unification means making the two Koreas harmonized with each other," he explained.

The results of the 15 group discussions were reported. Overseas members of the 16th NUAC in the USA agreed on the importance of human rights of North Korea and unification education for Korean-Americans. Each regional chapter reported its business reflecting its regional characteristics and personality.

The Washington D.C. Municipal Chapter emphasized its geographical advantage of having a Think Tank headquarters incorporating the public policies of the US federal government. According to the Chapter, it is focused on strengthening the grounds of support for the unification policy by expanding its political positions. The LA Municipal Chapter organized the wedding ceremony of North Korean refugees living in the region and reported the performance of implementing a Junior NUAC Project to educate youngsters for national unification.

The Dallas Municipal Chapter introduced its program of "Campaign to Make a North Korean Refugee Friend." The Chapter supports Korean college students in the area to grow as next-generation leaders of a unified Korea; it also arranged for them to meet the officers in charge of human rights at the President Bush Center.

On the other hand, the Houston Municipal Chapter reported the results of the opinion survey on the awareness of national unification. The most serious obstacle to unification was found to be indifference and ignorance. The rotation of NUAC efforts can create a revolution of national unification, according to the Chapter. It reiterates the mission of the overseas members of NUAC to achieve peaceful unification of their motherland.