Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
Kim Young-hee named first North Korean defector to lead support foundation
The Ministry of Unification appointed Kim Young-hee as head of the North Korean Refugees Foundation on Oct.
12.
Kim, 61, is a North Korean defector and leads the North Korea Development Institute, a nonprofit organization.
She is the first North Korean defector appointed to lead the foundation since it was established in 2010.
The appointment ends a vacancy that had lasted one year and seven months.
The foundation supports people who have left North Korea.
The announcement did not say what Kim plans to do in the role.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry appointed Kim Young-hee as the new head of the North Korean Refugees Foundation on October 12, 2026.
Kim is the first North Korean defector appointed to lead the foundation since it was established in 2010.
She is 61 and heads the North Korea Development Institute, a private organization.
The appointment ends a vacancy that had lasted one year and seven months.
- Who
- Kim Young-hee, a 61-year-old North Korean defector who heads the North Korea Development Institute.
- What
- She was appointed head of the North Korean Refugees Foundation.
- When
- October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
The foundation head position was vacant.
The Unification Ministry appointed Kim Young-hee as the foundation’s new head.
- Appointee
- Kim Young-hee
- Age
- 61
- Foundation established
- 2010
- Vacancy duration
- One year and seven months
- Appointment date
- October 12, 2026
Sources
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