The workshop for overseas executive members was held at Seoul Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel on Aug. 26 ~ 28 to share the activities of the 16th National Unification Advisory Council and discuss how to operate overseas provincial assemblies and municipal chapters.
A total of 102 overseas executive members attended the workshop including the Vice-chairperson, executive/central members, municipal chapter heads, branch chapter heads, and secretaries; they participated in the 16th General Assembly on behalf of the overseas Council members.

Hyun Kyung-dae, Executive Vice-chairperson of the Council, held a welcome dinner on August 26 in honor of the executive members from all over the world in appreciation of their attendance and to ask them to do their best for the success of the workshop.

The workshop proceeded with a special lecture by the Executive Vice-chairperson after the opening ceremony, followed by the dialogue with the Secretary General, presentation of activities, and group discussions.

Hyun Kyung-dae, Executive Vice-chairperson suggested the roles of the overseas executive members of the Council while giving a special lecture under the theme of "Role of Overseas Executive Members in Building the Foundation of Peaceful Unification."

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  Hyun Kyung-dae, Executive Vice-chairperson, Gives Lecture at the Workshop

He explained the significance of "Building the Foundation of Peaceful Unification," suggested by Park Geun-hye's government as one of its fundamental policies, and asked the overseas members to back the policy positively. "I hope overseas members will recognize our history correctly and take pride in the history and legitimacy of the Republic of Korea," he stressed. "I hope overseas members will recognize our history correctly and take pride in the history and legitimacy of the Republic of Korea," he stressed.

• He reiterated that the most important issue can be resolved when mutual trust between the two Koreas is established by the “Korean Peninsula Trust-Building Process,” and that such will lead to unification. He asked the overseas executive members to explain our unification policy to the people and make their best efforts to secure the support of the countries where they live.

Park Chan-bong, Secretary General of the Council, collected their opinions and difficulties during the "Dialogue with the Secretary General."

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  Park Chan-bong, Secretary General, Gives Opening Address

"The unification movement is practically led by the National Unification Advisory Council; therefore, we should gather all of our energies and efforts with a determined mindset of realizing the unification of our country with our own hands," he said. He also asked members from overseas to continue the unification business specialized by region in accordance with the overall integrated business promoted by the Council.

"Although all the difficult matters cannot be resolved, let's make our best efforts to make the Council better than ever," he said in response to the requirements and recommendations of the executive members. During the workshop, examples of promoting unification activities were presented by some overseas municipal chapters and branch chapters.

Lee Chang-ho, Head of Shanghai Municipal Chapter, introduced some cases of unification activities of the youth in his area such as the "Unification Golden Bell" program. On the other hand, Jeong Jae-kyun, Head of the New York Municipal Chapter, presented the activities of operating the Unification Class for the young and supporting the North Korean defectors.

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  Lee Chang-ho, Head of Shanghai Municipal Chapter, explains the Unification Golden Bell Program

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  Jeong Jae-kyun, Head of the New York Municipal Chapter, explains the operation of the Unification Class and support for North Korean defectors

Kim Seong-hyuk, Head of the Boston Municipal Chapter, presented the activities of the next generation considering the local characteristics of accommodating many colleges and universities. Choi Jae-hyeon, Head of the Los Angeles Municipal Chapter, introduced the case of publishing the "30 Years’ History of the LA National Unification Advisory Council."

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  Kim Seong-hyuk, Head of the Boston Municipal Chapter, explains the activities of the next generation

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  Choi Jae-hyeon, Head of the Los Angeles Municipal Chapter, explains the 30 Years’ History of the LA National Unification Advisory Council

Kim Seong-hun, Secretary of the west region of South America, introduced the municipal chapters of multiple nations consisting of Council members living in many countries. For his part, Eom Kyung-ho, Head of the Sri Lanka branch chapter, presented the activities of a branch chapter with a few Council members.
Jeon Sang-jung, Head of the Kyrgyzstan branch chapter, recounted how his branch chapter had attracted the interest of the local people in the issue of unification of the two Koreas by making use of the so-called "Korean Wave," organizing the "K-Pop Contest" last May in the country.

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  Kim Seong-hun, Secretary of the west region of South America, presents the activities of the municipal chapters of multiple nations and activated Korean women's activities in the region

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  Eom Kyung-ho, Head of the Sri Lanka branch chapter, explains its activities

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  Jeon Sang-jung, Manager of the Kyrgyzstan office, presents his case of using K-POP

Group discussions were also held to discuss how to operate and manage the provincial assembly and municipal chapter in 5 regions.

The group discussion was presided over by Huh Maeng-do, Headof the Eastern Municipal Chapter (deputized by Oh Gong-tae, Vice-chairperson ), Lee Hun-bok, Head of the China Municipal Chapter, Seung Eun-ho, Vice-chairperson of the ASEAN Provincial Assembly, Kim Ki-cheol, Vice-chairperson of the US Municipal Chapter, and Park Deok, Vice-chairperson of the Europe Municipal Chapter.

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  Group discussion of the Provincial Assemblies in the Europe region

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  Report on the group discussion by Seung Eun-ho,Vice-chairperson of the ASEAN Provincial Assembly

The current issues of South and North and directions to promote the national policy of unification and North Korea were reported to the participants.
The report was made by Cheon Hae-seong, director general of the unification policy of the Ministry of Unification, focusing on the "Korean Peninsula Trust-Building Process" and detailing the current status of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, separated families, and sightseeing at Mt. Geumkang.

The director general of the Ministry clarified that the government would promote its policy of unification and North Korea in accordance with the principles of △ strong national security, △ accumulating trust by fulfilling agreements, △ formulating conditions for the North to make the right choice, and △ trust of the people and international societies.

On the third day of the workshop on August 28, the program consisted of guide to operating the office routine of the National Unification Advisory Council, reports on group discussions, and 16th General Assembly of the Council.

Jeon Nan-kyung, Manager of the Overseas Region Division, explained the main activities to be promoted by the 16th Council including △ Establishing the action plan focused on the Vice-chairperson of each municipal chapter, △ Establishing the system of regular conference of the municipal chapter and program to reinforce the abilities of the municipal chapter, △ Enhancing understanding of the national policy toward the North and disseminate the supporting basis of international societies, △ Fostering the next generation of overseas Koreans for the unification of our fatherland and support, and △ Securing better communication and harmony among overseas Korean communities. Detailed explanation on the operation and administration of municipal chapters was also given to the attendants.

After the workshop, the executive members of municipal chapters attended the 16th General Assembly held at the Gymnastic Gymnasium of Olympic Park on August 28.