[단독]Tae Young-ho: “Appointment of North Korean defectors to vice-ministerial level sends a big message to North Korean elite”

Tae Young-ho, Secretary ‌General of the Democratic Peace Unification Advisory Council

“Show that there is no discrimination against North ⁢Korean defectors.
North Korea’s core ⁤group ⁤needs to change its view of South Korea.
North Koreans do not see​ Kim⁢ Joo-ae ⁣as successor.”

Tae Young-ho, the secretary general of the Advisory Council for Democratic Peace⁤ and Unification, is being interviewed by the Dong-A Ilbo at his office in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 7th. Tae is the first North Korean defector to be appointed as a ​vice-ministerial official. Reporter Byun Young-wook [email protected]

“It will be a big message not only to the North Korean elite‍ but also to Kim ‌Jong-un.”

Tae Young-ho, secretary-general of the Advisory Council for Democratic Peace and ‌Unification (APNU), a former high-ranking‌ diplomat ⁢who defected from North Korea, explained the significance of being the first defector to be appointed to a ​vice-ministerial position⁢ since the division in an interview with the Dong-A Ilbo held at the APNU building in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 7th. “While the North Korean elite recognize ⁢that the Kim Jong-un regime has no future, they do not think ⁢of South Korea ​as an alternative,” said Director Tae. “Unless this perception among the core class⁣ of the North Korean regime​ changes, peaceful ⁢unification will⁣ be difficult.” Ultimately, South Korea needs to continue to send the message that it is not discriminatory‍ or exclusive toward defectors, ⁢and ⁤his appointment itself could be an important message.

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