South Korea's Unification Ministry has awarded nine North Korean defector artists for their contributions to culture and arts.
The South Korean Unification Ministry said on December 15 that the Minister will award certificates of merit to nine North Korean defectors who have become artists, in recognition of their contributions and to promote their works of art throughout South Korean society.
Among the nine North Koreans to receive the award was Kang Chun-hyok, a rapper and artist who South Korea described as having "raised awareness of the spirit of unification among the younger generation". Sol Song-a, author of a novel about North Korean women, was also awarded.
The award ceremony will take place at the Inter-Korean Cultural Integration Center on December 16.
Rapper and artist Kang Chun-hyok, a North Korean defector to South Korea. Photo: Yonhap
Since 1998, South Korea has recorded about 34,000 North Korean defectors. The number of new arrivals has been very low in the past three years as the North Korean government tightened its border controls to prevent Covid-19, with 67 defectors last year.
Only a small number of North Korean defectors ever cross the border by sea or through the demilitarized zone that separates the two countries. Most make the journey to China, sometimes staying there for years, before finding their way into South Korea through third countries.
Northern Limit Line (NLL) and location of South Korea's Sokcho city. Graphic: BBC
Ngoc Anh (According to Yonhap )
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