For North Korean defectors settling down in
the South... life is full of new experiences.
One major eye opener for them: the idea of
charity... giving back to society.
Kwon Jang-Ho met up with some of them, who
got to roll up their sleeves to do some volunteer
work for the very first time.
In the heart of Seoul, free meals are being
given out to the residents of these small
buildings.
These cramped houses serve as a sort of half-way
house for homeless people as they try to get
their lives back on track.
The Korean Red Cross runs regular events to
assist these residents, but this time they
have help from an unexpected source.
There are some 100 volunteers helping prepare
the food today.
However, most of them are no ordinary volunteers.
Over 80 of them are North Koreans, who have
recently defected to the South.
They are part of a government program at the
Hanawon Center, where recent defectors from
North Korea learn about life in South Korea,...
everything from politics to trade skills,
and even social issues.
Today's lesson is about charity.
We wanted to show them that not everyone in
South Korea lives extravagant lives.
There are those who will be worse off than
them once they leave the Hanawon Center, and
we wanted to show them that they can give
back to South Korean society.
For the defectors it's a new experience.
They told me that their difficult lives in
North Korea meant there was no thought for
charity as they were all fending for themselves.
Most did not want to talk or be seen on camera,
for the safety of their families who remain
in the North, but one person was happy to
talk to us.
Today I realised that there are people who
live tough lives in South Korea as well.
It was the first time I had ever experienced
the satisfaction and joy you can get from
giving back and helping those less fortunate.
As I continue living here, I want to keep
helping people and keep experiencing this
joy.
Organisers say that the locals also take something
away from these experiences, not just the
food.
The residents here have difficult issues,
are old and very lonely.
Not only do they appreciate the food, but
they just really enjoy the company.
They get to meet these defectors and talk
to them, and they really appreciate their
efforts.
It's hoped that this experience will not only
show the defectors the reality of life and
social structures in South Korea, but also
how they can make a difference and give back
to their adopted home.
Kwon Jang-ho, Arirang News.
