The number of North Korean defectors in South Korea passed the
26,000 mark at the end of March. Assisting such a large emigre community to settle
in South Korea is tantamount to a “little unification”. Moreover, “big
unification,” not to mention the so-called unification “jackpot”, can be more readily facilitated via close cooperation with the defector community.
Defectors are unique in that they have direct experience of both
North and South Korean society. That’s why they are a vital asset.
However, without government and community support for the process of integration, it becomes more diffcult for
defectors to establish themselves in leading roles.
On June 18th, Daily NK met defector
Dr. Lee Hye Gyeong. Dr. Lee, who has a PhD in North Korea Studies, runs the
organization “New Life.” The organization offers a space for defectors to meet
and exchange information, and provides opportunities for research into the
cultural and practical lives of the emigre community.
“One reason why the current 3rd generation succession of Kim Jong Eun could succeed is because
they have established a particular North Korean political style,” she explained.
“In this respect, the personal experiences of defectors who’ve directly
experienced that dictatorship can be very helpful in designing unification
scenarios.”
“In the process of learning about one another in this divided
situation, the role of those who have experienced both systems should not be
overlooked,” she emphasized. “Were we to see defector experiences as a great
resource for integration, then we could reduce the side-effects when
unification happens.”
“Given that North Korea is a ‘traumatized society’ due to its suffering
under dictatorship, (those with experience of successful resettlement) will offer
a lot of practical know-how after unification,” she added.
Below
is an abridged transcript of Daily NK’s interview with Dr. Lee Hye Gyeong.
As a
defector, how do you regard the unification dialogue that has been taking place
in Korea since President Park’s comment about unification being “the jackpot”?
The concept of unification as a “jackpot” is meaningful in so
far as it has attracted interest and garnered responses from across the nation.
The remark revitalized the will for unification once again, and both South and
North Korea should take it as a starting point from which
to alter their disparate understandings of how to achieve unification.
Frankly speaking, I used to think that only North Korean people looked
forward to unification, but I’ve come to realize that South Korean citizens are
no different in terms of their desire and passion for it.
Do you
support expanded inter-Korean trade and exchanges, which some see as a good
route to unification?
Ever since division, South and North have been
in conflict with one another. It is a conflict centered on anger and
criticism. However, now is the time to try different ways toward unification. Experiencing
trial and error can be used as a positive element in the unification process.
If understanding and awareness are not emphasized over keeping
both our doors firmly shut, I don’t think we’ll be able to integrate. In the
process of learning about one another in this divided situation, the role of
those who have experienced both systems should not be overlooked.
How
can we overcome the stark differences between South and North in order to move
toward unity?
Clearly there are differences between South Koreans and North
Koreans. But we shouldn’t over-highlight them; we ought to focus on our similarities,
of which there are more. We also need to be aware that North Korea is in a weak
condition in terms of its social system.
We already recognize the good point of our ethnic homogeneity, and if we
embrace our differences too then we can move toward unification.
In the
meantime, what role should defectors play?
One reason why the current 3rd generation succession of Kim Jong Eun could succeed is because
they have established a particular North Korean political style. In this regard,
the personal experiences of defectors who’ve directly experienced that
dictatorship can be very helpful in designing unification scenarios.
In the process of learning about one another in this divided
situation, the role of those who have experienced both systems should not be
overlooked. Were we to see defector experiences as a great resource for
integration, then we could reduce the side-effects when unification happens.
It appears
that young defectors have a particularly important role to play.
Of course they do. But many such young defectors have a fragmented
understanding of their country because they came to the South with their
parents at a young age. They often don’t want to see themselves as defectors,
either, since events like the attack on the Cheonan have given them an
unfavorable opinion of North Korea. This needs to be overcome, but wisely.
Young defectors need to have a greater sense of mission that
they are the pillars of unification. They need to interact with their seniors and
other groups working to prepare for unification; for only when that kind of
training continues will they be able to step outside themselves and become workers for the
future of the peninsula.
* This report was produced with support from the Korea Press Foundation.
