Politics · South Korea · 13 hrs ago
North Korean defector appointed to lead Korea Hana Foundation for first time
South Korea’s unification ministry has appointed Kim Young-hee to lead the Korea Hana Foundation, which supports North Korean defectors as they settle in the South.
She is the first North Korean defector to hold the post since the foundation was established in 2010.
Kim, 61, was born in North Korea and moved to South Korea in 2002.
She has worked as a North Korean economy expert for government agencies and local governments.
Kim was named to a three-year term after the foundation’s top job had been vacant for more than 19 months.
The previous head was dismissed over allegations of sexual and verbal harassment of employees.
The unification ministry appointed North Korean defector Kim Young-hee to lead the Korea Hana Foundation.
She is the first North Korean defector to hold the post since the foundation was established in 2010.
Kim, 61, was named president for a three-year term.
The foundation supports the resettlement of North Korean defectors.
The post had been vacant for more than 19 months after the previous chief was dismissed.
- Who
- Kim Young-hee, a North Korean defector and former head of the North Korea Development Institute.
- What
- She was appointed president of the Korea Hana Foundation for a three-year term.
- When
- Monday, October 12, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The foundation supports the resettlement of North Korean defectors. The ministry did not state a specific reason for the appointment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kim came to South Korea.
The Korea Hana Foundation was established.
The foundation's previous chief, Cho Min-ho, was dismissed over allegations of sexual and verbal harassment of employees.
The unification ministry appointed Kim president of the foundation.
- Appointee
- Kim Young-hee
- Age
- 61
- Term
- Three years
- Foundation established
- 2010
- Previous chief
- Cho Min-ho
- Vacancy
- More than 19 months
Sources
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