“I’m here to find a job”: Part 1 of my coverage of a job fair for North Korean defectors.

ORIGINAL LINK : https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=gounikorea&logNo=223299129792

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Hello, this is Kim Sohyun, a reporter from the Ministry of Unification’s Unicorn. The first day of December, a very special fair was held on the 1st, the ‘North Korean Defectors’ Job Fair’.

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The Ministry of Unification and the Korea Trade Association prepared a job fair for the successful settlement of North Korean defectors.

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This fair, held for the first time in 9 years since 2014, attracted over 1,500 North Korean defectors. When we looked at the number of participants, we could see the interest in the employment issues of North Korean defectors. According to the results of a survey on the policy status of North Korean defectors released at the end of last year, the employment rate of defectors is 59.2%, lower than the 63.0% of the entire population. Also, it was found that many defectors rely on private networks rather than public employment services to find jobs. In this situation, the job fair was a very precious opportunity and experience for the defectors. Especially, the quality of the fair was enhanced by the participation of over 100 companies and public institutions as recruitment information booths.

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△ Job Fair Poster (ⓒ Ministry of Unification)

Now, let’s check out the contents I experienced and watched as a Unicorn reporter at the fair!

– Introduction to the Fair

△ Job Fair Pamphlet (ⓒKim Sohyun Reporter)

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As soon as I arrived at the fair venue, I received a pamphlet. The pamphlet contained detailed information about booth placement, participating companies, and stage program times, so I could move around the venue without any difficulty!

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△ Entrance Guide Photo (ⓒKim Sohyun Reporter)

The first place I arrived at was the entrance information booth! They divided the entrance into group participation and individual participation. In order to participate in the various booths of the job fair, you had to receive an entrance wristband here.

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△ Job Fair Questionnaire (ⓒ Kim Sohyun Reporter)

You can receive a wristband just by filling out this simple questionnaire. In addition, facilities such as a mandatory room and registration desk were prepared for the convenience of the participants before entering the fair.

-Opening Ceremony

△ Opening Ceremony Nanta Performance (ⓒ Kim Sohyun Reporter)

The opening ceremony was held in the conference room. The start of the opening ceremony was a powerful Nanta performance, which captured everyone’s attention.

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