Fiction REINCARNATION, Vol. 1

Penetrate the North Korean Markets

<22> Penetrate the North Korean Markets

With the growing issue of the nation's weak classes, some members of the Hidden Valley Club have suggested that it is more urgent to help social underdogs. They argued that ignoring poor locals and targeting only foreigners could cause doubts about the purity of the volunteer work. The problem of youth unemployment in Korea is very serious. And there are many children living in hardship due to parental divorce, and the number of elderly people in need is increasing. The social adaptation problem of North Korean defectors is also serious. In response, Hidden Valley Club decided to review the direction of volunteer work.

"There are so many Koreans who groan in the shade. Many people end their lives or fall into the swamp of crime due to lack of income, and many children are poorly raised due to family breakdown. The problems of the loneliness and solitary death of those who live alone are serious, too. Social groups are limited in ability and can't take good care of them. We should not ignore this domestic situation."

"I agree. We'd better get all the members' opinions on how to help the local people."

"Who are we targeting? I'd like to hear your thoughts."

"I think it's good to target disabled families or multicultural families."

"Please feel free to say other opinions."

"Helping the homeless has a point, too."

"The problem of elderly households is serious. There are many cases where children don't care for their elderly parents. You can't ask the needy to take care of their parents' livelihood. I think volunteer groups should support them actively."

"Sung Yoon-hee, what do you think?"

"The support for the homeless and welfare for the elderly should be addressed by the central and local governments. Our ability is limited to helping them. I think we should exclude people who are helped by the religious community, the media, and other social services."

"Who do you think we should target?"

"I propose to help North Korean defectors. Many North Korean defectors are wandering because they have failed to adapt to our society. They must send money to help their families in North Korea even though their lives are difficult. If we help them, we can help stabilize society and help North Koreans, too."

Yoon-hee has published a book about the lives of North Korean defectors and their wishes. Therefore, she knows the situation of North Korean defectors better than anyone else. Now, the total number of North Korean defectors in South Korea is over one hundred thousand. Early North Korean defectors have succeeded in settling down in the South with social interest and support from the government, but recent arrivals say life is difficult.

"Okay. Let's choose one of the suggestions that has come out."

"It seems that Yoon-hee's proposal is more appropriate than mine. I'm in favor of the proposal to help North Korean defectors."

"So am I."

Park Yong ended the meeting. Participants decided to accept Yoon-hee's suggestion and ask the opinions of all members on how to support North Korean defectors.

"I will ask the members' opinion on supporting North Korean defectors."

Members of the Hidden Valley Club have agreed to help North Korean defectors while continuing their overseas volunteer work. Most of the members replied that the best way to help North Korean defectors is to arrange employment for them.

Since the early 2000s, the government has provided education to North Korean defectors to help them adjust to society while also providing them with settlement costs and basic living expenses. However, as the number increased, the government's support for individuals declined and the number of those who were not financially independent grew. The public sector and businesses hire them, but there are too many job seekers. Some defectors go back to North Korea or leave for another country. As the number of their livelihood crimes has increased, people's views on them are not favorable.