Governor Kim’s Special Chuseok Holidays
(September 09, 2011)

Governor Kim celebrates Chuseok by visiting the Hanawon Center for North Korean defector
Making songpyeon (half-moon shape rice cake), taking classes, and sharing their stories

– Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo visited the Hanawon Center during the Chuseokholiday on September 10^th to console North Korean defectors and get their first-hand opinions on the difficulties of adjusting to a new life.(Photo) Governor Kim talking with a member of the center while making songpyeon (half-moon-shaped rice cake). (GNews Plus)

Governor Kim Moon-soo spent two days at the Hanawon Center during the Chuseok holidays.

Governor Kim visited the Hanawon Center in Yangju to spend the holiday with North Korean defectors, where he made songpyeon (half-moon-shaped rice cake) and shared opinions.

The Hanawon Center in Yangju, a shelter for North Korean defectors, is dedicated to helping them adjust to their new environment. Governor Kim spent two days with them to learn more about their difficulties.

Gyeonggi Province spokesperson Kim Yong-sam said, “Governor Kim has made it a rule to spend his holidays with neglected or marginalized people. This time it was the North Korean defectors. He is deeply interested in their naturalization and was the first to hire them as civil servants. This will be a special experience for the Governor.”

Governor Kim visited a disability rehabilitation center in Yongin in February of this year to celebrateSeolnal, and spent a night in Daeseongdong Village, which is located very close to the North Korean border.

He was accompanied by members of the Gyeonggi Baekduhoe Association, a gathering of North Koreans that are now working for the government in Gyeonggi Province, on his visit to the Hanawon Center.

The Gyeonggi Baekduhoe Association is a volunteer group dedicated to helping North Korean defectors settle in the new environment and complete their education. The members donatedsongpyeon ingredients and visited the Hanahoe Center with the Governor.

Governor Kim has always been deeply involved in issues related to North Korea. He originally proposed the North Korean Human Rights Bill when he took part in the 17^th national congress in 2005. He continued his humanitarian support for North Korea even in times of political unrest, such as the during the ROKS Cheonan (PCC-772) and Yeonpyeongdo Island incidents, as well as working to fight malaria and more.

–GNews Plus News | Nam Gyeong-u echo2008@kg21.net

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