The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 26th that it will provide incentives for employment stability to 60 North Korean defectors this year. This comes after a pilot program for 26 individuals last year, which has since been formalized.
The employment stability incentive program is a system that provides financial support based on the length of employment for North Korean defectors who have worked in a company for over a year. Payments are made twice a year, in total four times over two years.
In this way, a maximum of 4.8 million won can be received. This is the case for North Korean defectors who have worked at the same corporation for over five years and receive 1.2 million won each time for four occasions. If the employment duration is over one year, 600,000 won is given for a total of 2.4 million won, and if it exceeds three years, 900,000 won each time for a total of 3.6 million won can be received. If they re-employ within three months, even if they have not worked at the same company, the length of service can be recognized.
The reason the Seoul Metropolitan Government is implementing this program is that it recognizes the need for policies to strengthen the economic self-sufficiency base of North Korean defectors. According to a survey conducted by the Korea Hana Foundation on the settlement conditions of North Korean defectors, the average length of employment for North Korean defectors residing in Seoul is 35.2 months, which is less than half of that of the general population (76 months). The unemployment rate is also 11%, which is more than three times that of the general population (3%).
The eligibility for this program is North Korean defectors aged 18 and older with a registered address in Seoul. Income must be within 150% of the median income standard for this year. However, those who have received employment incentives from the Ministry of Unification or new start-up incentives are excluded from eligibility.
Applications will be accepted starting from the 29th. Detailed information can be found on the Seoul Metropolitan Government's website under announcements and on the Kakao channel.