The inaugural session to launch the 16th Oceania Municipal Chapter was concluded with the active participation of the Council members and interest of the local society.

Members of the Australia Municipal Chapter, Lee Hwi-jin, Consul General to Sydney, Bobca, Foreign Minister of Australia, and 130 leaders of Korean communities in Australia attended the inaugural session held on Aug. 7 at Sydney Soffitel Hotel.

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  Presentation of Letter of Designation to Lee Sook-jin, Head of the Australia Municipal Chapter, by Lee Hwi-jin, Consul General to Sydney

  "We are proud of the fact that no such organization as the National Unification Advisory Council can be found in Australian societies, where as many as 220 minorities coexist. The 16th Australia Municipal Chapter should not only settle for being the companion's community but also advance into the mainstream of Australian societies and demonstrate the ability for private diplomacy for unification, making use of the specializations of each member," said Lee Sook-jin, Head of the Australia Municipal Chapter, in her opening address.

Lee Hwi-jin, Consul General, offered his congratulations on the designation of the 16th Council members. "I wish the 16th Australia Municipal Chapter will be a patron for the peaceful unification of the Korean peninsula and lead the integration and development of companions' communities in Australia," he said.

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  Congratulatory Address by Mr. Bobca, Foreign Minister of the Australia Federal Government

  Also attending the inaugural session is Mr. Bobca, Foreign Minister of the Australia Federal Government, who is very much interested in the human rights of North Korea. "I believe North Koreans could participate in democratic voting in the days to come," he said. A total of 81 members from nearby countries including Papua New Guinea and Fiji were given the Letter of Designation by the consul general. The following day, members of the Australia Municipal Chapter discussed how to operate more efficiently at its new office.

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  Meeting of members from neighboring countries including Papua New Guinea and Fiji

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  Visit to the new office of the 16th Australia Municipal Chapter

The 16th New Zealand Municipal Chapter was launched on Aug. 9 at Stamford Plaza Hotel in Auckland.

Members of the New Zealand Municipal Chapter, Park Yong-kyu, Ambassador to New Zealand, Park Il-ho, Consul General, and Melisa Lee, member of the Parliament of New Zealand, attended the conference. Also present in the 16th New Zealand Municipal Chapter launching ceremony were Lee Sook-jin, Head of the Australia Municipal Chapter, and 5 vice-chairpersons.

Lee Byung-in, Head of the New Zealand Municipal Chapter introduced the National Unification Advisory Council in his opening address. "Heavy responsibilities and obligations are given to us for the unification of our fatherland. The buzzword of the 16th New Zealand Municipal Chapter is leadership of humility and engagement."
On the other hand, in his congratulatory address, Ambassador Park stressed that creative thinking is important for the education of the next generation for the unification of our fatherland.

The assignment of executives of the municipal chapters and their action plans were deliberated on and decided. Reports were made by Kim Jeom-joon, Planning & Coordination Officer, as to the roles of members and action plans of the 16th Council. Prof. Je Seong-ho of Joongang University gave his lecture on the vision and the inter-Korea policy of Park Geun-hye Administration.

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  Reports by Kim Jeom-joon, Planning & Coordination Officer, on the role of members and action plan of the 16th Council

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  Prof. Je Seong-ho gives a lecture on the government's policy toward North Korea

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  Presentation of gift to Lee Byung-in, Head of the New Zealand Municipal Chapter, by Lee Sook-jin, Head of the Australia Municipal Chapter

Committee members paid a visit to the Monument of Korean War Veterans and had meetings with the leaders of the local Korean community to explain the action plans of the 16th Council.