The National Unification Advisory Council (NUAC) (Executive Vice-chairperson: Hyun Kyung-dae) held the "2014 Policy Conference for the Chiefs of National Women Standing Committee" at Daejeon Riviera Hotel on Feb. 12 ~ 13 to discuss the activities of the 2014 Women Standing Committee members and support the settlement of North Korean refugees living in South Korea. A total of 200 chiefs of women's standing committees from city, county, and provincial committees and 5 members from overseas committees from each continent attended the conference.

• 

  Hyun Delivering His Keynote Speech

  "National unification is meaningful in terms of recovering the national territory bordering the Yalu and Tumen rivers, but unification in real terms is for the people in South and North to be one. The North Korean refugees living with us symbolize the national unification that came to us first. If we cannot embrace them with the mind of a mother, a sister, or a brother, we cannot make 24 million North Koreans people of the Republic of Korea. It is the reason women committee members have been carrying out the ‘Preparing for Unification from One to Five’ movement,” Executive Vice-chairperson Hyun Kyung-dae explained in his keynote speech.

Park Joo-hee, reporter of New Focus, said that North Korean women have been performing important roles for survival after the march of hardship in North Korea, and outside world culture is flowing in through market places. Regarding the Korean Wave, the South Korean culture may stop flowing in North Korean society for the time being, but the prevailing trend cannot change, she says.

• 

  Park Chan-bong delivering his greetings at the conference

  "National consensus on unification is essential to prepare for the national unification, and you need to assume a determined attitude that peace on the Korean peninsula and foundation of national unification will be achieved by the power of women," Secretary General Park Chan-bong stressed in his greetings.

• 

  Shin Eun-sook, Director of the Unification Policy Advisory Bureau

  "2013 business for women was focused on expanding denotation and promoting businesses suitable for the regional characteristics. In 2014, we need to enhance synergy by connecting with women's groups in the region and reinforce the capabilities of women as required in preparation for unification," said Shin Eun-sook, Director of the Unification Policy Advisory Bureau, in her report.

• 

  Yoon Kook, social worker of Good People

  Meanwhile, Yoon Kook, social worker of Good People International, said in his special lecture on "Story of Successful Settlement of North Korean Refugees" that most of them adapt themselves to South Korean society after numerous failures. Even though they should try harder first, we need to understand them with warm heart as well as the cultural differences between South and North Korea and provide them with more good opportunities.

• 

  Kwak Jong-moon, Principal of Hangyeore High School

  "They have many mental wounds, but we should support them in enhancing their pride since they are very important resources of national unification and our society," said Kwak Jong-moon, principal of Hangyeore High School, in his lecture on "Efficient Method for the North Korean Refugee Youth to Adapt Themselves to South Korean Society."

The final session of the conference involved presenting the 2014 business plan that was decided through group discussion by city and province. The main content of the business plan is to support North Korean refugees in settling down in South Korean society, which includes △ Revitalization of the mentor-mentee program, △ Ember Project, △ Forging of sisterly ties for national unification, and △ Cultural experience with North Korean refugees.

• 

  Han Yeong-sil, Chairperson of the Women Standing Committee and Executive Committee Member

  In her lecture on "Reinforcing Women's Capability in Preparation for the Era of National Unification," Han Yeong-sil, Chairperson of the Women Standing Committee, said that delicacy, networking ability, and consideration of women would be good elements to contribute to national unification. The enhanced capability of women will be a shortcut to achieving national unification.

• 

  Group Discussion

• 

  Lee Yeong-soo, Chairperson of the Seoul Women Standing Committee