The Busan Municipal Chapter (Vice-chairperson Lee Yeong-suk) of NUAC held a sister partnership ceremony for its hand-in-hand mentor-mentee program on May 27th at the Busan Comodo Hotel.

Over 150 council members of Busan, mentors, mentees (young North Korean refugees), and their families attended the ceremony. Those who established sister partnerships included 44 council members, who completed the "Mentor Academy" last April at Hongik University, and 41 mentees.

Lee Yeong-suk, the Vice-chairperson of the Busan Municipal Chapter, said in her opening speech, "The Partnership Ceremony for the Mentor-Mentee Program is one of the One to Five Movements to Meet with National Unification. Its purpose is to fill in the small gaps that the government cannot fulfill, so as to provide practical assistance to the North Korean refugees. NUAC will exert more efforts to help North Korean refugees successfully settle into South Korean society.”

Mentors and mentees attending the ceremony signed the letter of sister partnership for successful mentoring.

Representatives of the mentor and mentee groups read the written oath.

Hong Sun-heon, secretary of the Busan Municipal Chapter, introduced the mentoring program’s activities, different examples of mentoring, the program’s plans, and what needs to be addressed during the mentoring period.

She advised the participants to attend plays and sporting events, visit museums, go shopping, experience South Korean culture, consult with other about their future plans, buy books, and participate in volunteer programs.

After the ceremony, the mentors and mentees talked with one another and came up with a mentoring plan together.

Mentors and mentees will meet twice a month to attend vacation camps and sporting events together.