The first meeting of the chiefs of women’s committees of 17 cities and provinces in 2015 was held last Jan. 21 at the secretariat office. Hyun Kyung-dae, executive Vice-chairperson, Park Chan-bong, secretary general, chiefs of women’s committees in 17 regions, Shin Eun-sook, director of the Council Member Activities Bureau, and chiefs of Region Devisions of NUAC attended the meeting to discuss how to promote women’s projects for 2015 as well as the detailed plan.

After Hyun welcomed and encouraged the chiefs, secretary general Park Chan-bong presided over the meeting to discuss the agendum as the 2015 plan for women’s projects and commemorative programs to celebrate the 70th anniversary of national liberation.

“The successful promotion of the One to Five Movements to Meet with National Unification, one of the key projects of NUAC last year, was made possible thanks to the devotion and hard work of women’s committee chiefs. The movement is not just a word to help North Korean refugees but a rehearsal for unification. In this regard, we should put in more efforts to help them settle in our society,” Hyun said.

In particular, Hyun stressed that the brother and sister of North Korean refugees recently passed the entrance exam to Seoul National University thanks to the assistance of Jung Yong-hyun, council member of the Gangnamgu Municipal Chapter and professor of Dongkuk University, as their mentor. “I think all of you believe your efforts and hard work to be a rewarding endeavor when the movement gets some results. For the remaining tenure of the 16th NUAC, we should gear up the implementation of activities to help North Korean refugees settle successfully,” Hyun said.

According to Secretary General Park Chan-bong, the keynote of the inter-Korean policy of the government this year is to close the era of division and open an era of unification. One of the most important factors for promoting the policy is women’s role. “I wish you will carry on creative works by making full use of your activities so far to be the leading figures in the era of national unification,” he added.

Ahn Jin-yong, chief of Middle Region Division, who is currently in charge of all women’s projects, reported the plan to promote women’s projects at the nation, city, province, and county levels, political meeting of women’s committee chiefs to be held in February in Daejon, and 「Female Reporter Group」 plan based on the social network service.

Director Shin Eun-sook presided over the general discussion among the attendants to talk about a commemorative program for the 70th anniversary of national liberation and other women’s projects to be implemented in 2015. One of these is the 「Female Reporter Group」, and each chief of the city and provincial women’s committees will recommend one candidate to run a pilot program. More details on the commemorative program for the 70th anniversary of national liberation will be decided in February through discussion at Women’s Standing Committee Meeting.

The Middle Region Division of NUAC will consolidate the results of the meeting of women’s committee chiefs and political meeting of Women’s Standing Committee to develop women’s projects for 2015 in more detail and reinforce women’s abilities in preparing for unification.