N. Korean defector appointed head of Korea Hana Foundation for 1st time
The unification ministry on Monday appointed a North Korean defector to head the Korea Hana Foundation, an agency affiliated with the ministry to support the resettlement of North Korean defectors, for the first time. Kim Young-hee, 61, who previously headed the North Korea Development Institute, was named president of the foundation for a three-year term, according to the ministry. It marked the…
The unification ministry announced on Monday that it has appointed a North Korean defector to lead the Korea Hana Foundation, a government agency dedicated to aiding the integration of defectors into South Korean society. Kim Young-hee, 61, will serve as the foundation's president for a three-year term, marking the first time a defector has held the position since the foundation's inception in 2010. Prior to this appointment, Kim had been heading the North Korea Development Institute.
Born in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province, Kim made her way to South Korea in 2002. Since her arrival, she has worked as an expert on the North Korean economy for various government and local agencies. The foundation's top position had remained unfilled for over 19 months following the dismissal of previous chief Cho Min-ho in February of the previous year. Cho's removal came after allegations of sexual and verbal harassment of employees.
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