“NUAC will cooperate with the Unification Preparation Committee to be launched soon for the government to normalize the inter-Korean relationship and strengthen national security, along with improving international cooperation for the peaceful unification of Korean peninsula."

The 16th NUAC Domestic Provincial Assembly launched its chain conferences across the country in Daejon. The Assembly is held in 17 cities in South Korea from June 16 through July 7. The 16,434 council members, who all reside in South Korea, attend these conferences. The members recommend policy for practicing the Dresden Unification Plan suggested by President Park Geun-hye and review the community activities that have been conducted for preparing for unification. These activities include the "One to Five Movement Meeting for Unification,” which is a support program for helping North Korean refugees settle in South Korea.

NUAC held the Daejeon Provincial Assembly last June 16 at Daejeon City Hall under the title of, "Bonanza Era of National Unification, Joint Preparation for Unification.” Over 330 council members in the Daejeon area attended the assembly together with Park Chan-bong, the secretary general of NUAC; Park Seong-bae, the Vice-chairperson of Daejeon Assembly; and Yum Hong-chul, the mayor of Daejeon

Yang Jeong-chan, secretary of the Daejeon Provincial Assembly, presided over the event and council members, Yeo Du-man and Yu Min-hyeong, read the Council Members Creed. This was followed by a presentation of President Park's video message. President Park Geun-hye encouraged the provincial assembly and requested for the NUAC to hold more dynamic activities in order to build the foundation for the era of unification. Park Seong-bae, the Vice-chairperson of the Daejeon Assembly, gave the opening address and Yum Hong-chul, the mayor of Daejeon, gave an encouraging speech. This was followed by the report by Park Chan-bong, the secretary general of the NUAC, on the current status of promoting the unification policy and the presentation, “2014 Reports on the Major Businesses of NUAC” by Shin Eun-suk, the director of the Council Member Activities Supporting Bureau.

• Park Chan-bong, the secretary general of the NUAC said, "The Trust Building Process for the Korean Peninsula by the current administration took advantage of the previous government's unification policy and its disadvantages were appended. The Process also embraced national defense, unification, and diplomacy. National unification is not limited to any one area; it should instead be approached from the point of views of diplomacy and national defense." He explained the three core elements of President Park Geun-hye's Dresden Plan, which are about solving humanitarian issues, building infrastructures for civilians and restoring equal rights for people. He added, "The South Korean government has been stably managing state affairs from a macro view of national defense, and unification-orientated and diplomatic (internal relation) view points. The NUAC should consider and provide advice that pertains to the direction of the unification policy and that of which is suitable for the direction of promoting national affairs".

Park Seong-bae, the Vice-chairperson of Daejeon Assembly, said in his opening speech, "I hope that the Daejeon Provincial Assembly can suggest persuasive reasons and alternatives to be of help for enhancing the people's desire for national unification. In particular, as we are determined to complete the Dresden Plan, we should create a vision and strategy for national unification that people can empathize with." Yum Hong-chul, the mayor of Daejeon said, "I hope that today's assembly can harness the will of over 1 million Daejeon citizens for unification. Passion for national unification will be the driving force to achieve unification sooner rather than later."

To inspire the attendants, the "Leading Balloon of Hope of Unification Bonanza" was performed on the stage. A big balloon with the words of "Unification Bonanza, Daejeon Provincial Assembly" was passed over the heads of the council members from the stage, and it was rolled back to the stage. Those in attendance enjoyed this activity.

Yang Yeong-ja, a council member from Daedeok-gu, recommended the following items: ▲ Providing substantive support for the separated families in the South and North (by operating an information center for the separated families, etc.); ▲Promoting specific business operated by the North Korean refugees ▲Setting up a humanitarian business for the vulnerable social group.

Baek Mu-nam, a council member from Dong-gu recommended the following items: ▲Promoting the three suggestions for cooperation with North Korea, as were indicated in the Dresden Plan; ▲ Achieving the 3 suggestions by convincing North Korea through China ▲ Building partnerships with China and Russia as a means to resist the North Korean nuclear issue in parallel with creating economic cooperation with China and Russia.

Choi Ho-taek, a council member from Seo-gu, recommended the following items: ▲ In order to enhance understanding of North Korea, education should be implemented with the attitude of putting ourselves in the other's shoes (e.g., creating a leader's course of unified nation in Pai Chai Univ.); ) ▲ Support education programs about North Korea through international cooperation; ▲ Establish a railway connection between South and North Korea, expand economic free zones, resume tours to Geumgangsan Mountain, and expand tourist destinations.

Yuseong-gu and Jung-gu were introduced as successful cases of municipal chapters' activities. Vice-chairperson Kim Young-gi explained that the specialized projects of the Jung-gu Municipal Chapter involved publishing the “Hanbat Bulletin for Peaceful Unification” and the “Living Guide for North Korean Refugees;” “Enhancing Children's Sense of Peace” and “Unification Education for College Students;” Award College Students of Excellent Unification Movement and Leadership Camp for the Youth.

Secretary Park Dong-ik pointed out the problems of the North Korean refugees in adapting to South Korean society and introduced the Yuseong-gu Municipal Chapter, where they are mentored and supported so that they can settle successfully in South Korean society. In connection with the regular business of the Women Standing Committee, the Chapter has been helping them by establishing a mentor-mentee relationship between the council members and the refugees to change them actively to assist in achieving national unification.

“Resolution for Preparation for Unification" was read by Kang Deok-gu, who is the head of the Daedeok-gu Municipal Chapter. This resolution reads as follows: ▲Council members shall lead the preparation both at home and abroad in order for the Dresden Plan to be achieved as soon as possible; ▲Council members shall participate in helping the people in both North and South Korea to integrate successfull; ▲Council members shall actively promote the ‘One to Five Movement for meeting with unification’ and ▲Council members shall lead progress at home and abroad by combining the national capabilities for unification.”

Park Seong-bae, the Vice-chairperson of the Daejeon Assembly, adopted the recommendations for the unification policy and special agenda by obtaining unanimous agreement of the council members who attended this meeting. The meeting ended with everyone singing, "Our Wish is for Unification.”

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  Kim On-sun, former Vice-chairperson

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  Kwon Eung-mae, chief of the Women Standing Committee

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  Kim Cheol-kwon, deputy head of Seo-gu Municipal Chapter

Kim On-sun, the former Vice-chairperson of the 15th NUAC: “Cooperating with forming the empathy with national unification through the municipal chapter meeting and exerting our best efforts are the members’ responsibilities. Our increased participation in the unification movement and establishing justice is absolutely necessary.”

Kwon Eung-mae, chief of the Women Standing Committee: “Today's meeting is very meaningful. It gave us a good opportunity to better understand President Park's Dresden Plan. The Women Standing Committee of the Daejon area implemented a mentoring program for the North Korean refugees living in our area, which will further expand this year.”

Kim Cheol-kwon, deputy head of Seo-gu Municipal Chapter: “The meeting was useful in helping us to understand President Park's Dresden Plan much more clearly. We feel that South and North Korea are close to each other, both geographically and emotionally, and that we should prepare ourselves for national unification to occur at any time.”

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  Yu Min-hyeong, council member

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  Kim Se-hwan, council member

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  Lee Yong-taek, secretary

Yu Min-hyeong, council member: “It is not easy for North Korean refugees and their children to adapt to South Korean society. A face-to-face meeting program has been provided by our municipal chapter to assist in their successful settlement in South Korea. A one-on-one mentoring program should be continuously and more actively promoted for them to learn about how South Korea’s ideology and economy differ from those of North Korea’s.”

Kim Se-hwan, council member: “This was a useful opportunity for me to gain an understanding of the theory of the ‘Unification Bonanza’ in detail. I want to let the people around me know about it.”

Lee Taek-yong, secretary: “I was actually very interested in the mentor-mentee program for North Korean refugees. It was good to incorporate the program with the policy recommendations to the government. I will do my best to make such meetings in the future successful.”

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  Song Jae-yeong, administration manager

  Song Jae-yeong, administration manager of the Daejeon Provincial Assembly: “The regional assembly is an opportunity for the council members to discuss and present their own views on the national unification issue directly. As Daejon city is located in the middle of the country, we organize many national events. It's difficult to do, but I am pleased with the results of these events.”