In a historic move, South Korea appointed the ex-diplomat of North Korea, Tae Yong-ho. As the head of its presidential advisory council on unification. This move makes him the highest-ranking among thousands of defectors. Who has settled in South Korea? And the first to be given a vice-ministerial position. The 62-year-old served as Pyongyang’s deputy ambassador to the United Kingdom before fleeing to Seoul in 2016. Following this his home country called him “human scum” who embezzled state funds and committed other crimes.Ex-North Korean Diplomat Heads South Korean Advisory Council.
Political Career and New Role Ex-North Korean
In 2020 Tae became the first former citizen of North Korea to win a seat in the South Korean Parliament. Though he lost a bid for re-election during April’s parliamentary polls. Advising President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office on policies for peaceful Korean unification is part of his new job description. The presidential office said it had trust in him saying that . He is an appropriate person to contribute towards setting up a peaceful reunification policy based on liberal democracy. And enlisting support from inside and outside [the country].”
Personal Journey and Motivations Ex-North Korean
Born in Pyongyang in 1962, Tae spent almost three decades as a diplomat under the Kim dynasty before defecting from North Korea over what he said was concern about his children leading miserable lives and disappointment with Kim Jong Un. He also praised the democratic systems of South Korea publicly. His memoir released this year gives insights into life among North Korean elites as well as cults centered around Kims.
Advocacy Amid Current Tensions
From his escape across one border into another territory controlled by the same ruler back then until the present day. When there are still some things not going right between those two nations. According to reports like these here. What should we expect? What can you do about them? These questions may be answered by such people as Mr Ri Il Kyu who said that his abandonment was due to disillusionment with the North Korean regime and a dismal future. Also, he advocated for using soft power against the Kim regime while calling on prisoner swaps between both states. Last month’s decision of Seoul to resume propaganda broadcasts toward Pyongyang after thousands of trash-laden balloons were launched into South Korea didn’t go well with Tae either. The satellite photos are not exactly advertising peace either as they show more troops being brought closer to border areas or walls going up there.
Defector Community and Support
The Unification Ministry in South Korea estimates that around 34k citizens from North Korea have defected – typically through China before arriving at their final destination over the Yalu River. Upon arrival, defectors are given citizenship automatically as well as some resettlement aid packages too. Just recently another high-ranking official stationed abroad ran away when he was in Cuba; according to reports 52-year-old Ri Il Kyu had “lost faith” because things “didn’t look good”. Speaking about this issue Mr Ri said: “All Northerners think about living in the South at least once”.
Government Initiatives
President Yoon Suk Yeol declared last Sunday as North Korean defectors’ day which will be an annual event hereafterwards where he pledged increased financial support along with tax breaks for firms employing them thus showing commitment towards their integration into society even better than before…
