[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 153 (Thursday, November 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2393-E2394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING SOUTH KOREA'S EFFORTS ON NORTH KOREAN REFUGEES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2005

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tangible, but 
often under-appreciated efforts the part of South Korea to address an 
important and urgent humanitarian concern--the resettlement of North 
Korean refugees.
  South Korea has consistently maintained a policy to accommodate all 
North Korean refugees who have found safe haven abroad by permitting 
them to resettle in South Korea. The South Korean government also 
provides necessary cooperation, if the refugees wish to remain in 
another country, to avoid the forcible repatriation to North Korea 
against their will.
  In the past 50 years, South Korea has resettled more than 7,100 North 
Korean refugees, an average of 20 persons per year between 1954 and 
1997 (878 total), but at an accelerating rate since then: 72 in 1998, 
148 in 1999, 312 in 2000, 583 in 2001, 1,141 in 2002, 1,281 in 2003, 
1,894 in 2004, and 882 to date in 2005, with an expectation of a total 
refugee population of 10,000 by the end of 2006.
  When North Korean refugees arrive in South Korea, they spend their 
first 3 months at Hanawon, a facility run by the Ministry of 
Unification, to receive education, orientation and basic vocational 
training. They also participate in social adjustment and cultural 
assimilation programs.
  Following their orientation, the refugees are then provided with a 
variety of resources by the South Korean government that include 
assistance in finding meaningful employment for 5 years and a permanent 
residence in cooperation with local municipalities. They also receive 
general health insurance coverage and seed money to help sustain 
independent living.
  For women refugees--which accounted for 68 percent of all North 
Korean refugees this year--the South Korean government additionally 
provides specific female vocational training and assistance with child-
rearing and home protection.
  For younger refugees, the South Korean government fully subsidizes 
all education fees through high school. If accepted into public 
universities, the refugees will receive full tuition including room-
and-board. Should a North Korean refugee seek to study at a private 
university, the related costs will be covered jointly

[[Page E2394]]

between the government and the designated institution.
  It is important to note that South Korea, for some time, has been 
working diligently, behind the scenes, without much publicity or due 
recognition, in order to enhance the security of the North Korean 
refugees it is seeking to assist.
  The aim is to make all refugees and their families self-sufficient 
within the context of democracy and free enterprise, so that they can 
be full contributors to South Korean society. In this regard, the South 
Korean government also works in collaboration with many civic, 
religious, and non-governmental (charitable) organizations in a 
comprehensive and coordinated effort to provide a variety of resources 
and a strong social safety net.
  For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my personal 
appreciation to the government and people of South Korea for their 
important contributions to help address the urgent humanitarian crisis 
in North Korea through the ``firm resettlement'' policy. As a staunch 
ally of the United States with a mutually comprehensive alliance 
partnership, South Korea deserves our recognition and expression of 
support.

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