ROK Government establishes July 14 as
North Korean Defectors’ Day
Ministry of Interior and Safety
announces amendment to the Regulations on National Commemorative Days
on May 21
Ministry of Unification to prepare for the first
commemoration ceremony on July 14 this year and reflect hopes for the
freedom of North Korean residents
May 20, 2024
The Ministry of Interior and Safety announced that it will
promulgate, on May 21, an amendment to the Regulations on National
Commemorative Days, designating July 14 as North Korean Defectors’ Day.
July 14 marks the enforcement date of the North Korean Defectors
Protection And Settlement Support Act (July 14, 1997), which is the
foundation of legal status and settlement support policies for North
Korean defectors.
In a Cabinet meeting on January 16, President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered
to establish a day for North Korean defectors to promote their
inclusivity and settlement support. Accordingly, the Ministry of
Interior and Safety, in consultation with the Ministry of Unification,
has proceeded with relevant regulatory amendments.
Once designated as a national commemorative day, nationwide or
regional events will be held to commemorate the day and to build
public consensus.
With this year’s July 14 being designated as the first North Korean
Defectors’ Day, the Ministry of Unification is preparing a
commemoration ceremony as well as a variety of side events.
The Ministry is also planning to build a monument to commemorate
North Korean defectors who were sacrificed during defection attempts,
with the aim of sending a message of hope for a free and prosperous
future to North Korean residents.
Going forward, July 14 will be commemorated annually under the
auspices of the Ministry of Unification as a day to embrace North
Korean defectors, improve their rights and interests, and foster
cultural integration between South and North Korean residents, thereby
enhancing awareness of unification.
* Unofficial translation
