Tae Yong-ho, Secretary General, Emphasizes “Education and International Cooperation for Unification” in Washington D.C. area

by Wonsuh Song

[Washington D.C., November 1] – The Washington chapter of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) hosted a special lecture with Tae Yong-ho, Secretary General of PUAC, under the theme “North Korea’s Transformation and the August 15 Unification Doctrine.” Tae introduced the core aspects of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s unification policy, highlighting “enhancing unification education programs,” policies centered on North Korean citizens, and securing international support.

In his address, Tae shared insights on the critical need for unification education: “In the past, unification was assumed to be inevitable, but now we’ve reached a point where educating younger generations on the necessity of unification is crucial.”

Tae explained President Yoon’s unification vision and the three main strategies for a united Korea: a “happy nation” ensuring freedom and safety, a “future-oriented nation” driven by creativity and innovation, and a “global contributor” to world peace. Based on this vision, policies promoting awareness through unification education, expanding information access and human rights for North Koreans, and strengthening the role of North Korean defectors are actively being pursued.

Tae also emphasized North Korea’s economic and social changes, particularly the organic growth of a market economy. “North Korea’s economic structure is shifting toward a market-based economy, which could have profound effects on the regime,” he said. He noted how South Korean dramas and movies are influencing North Korean citizens’ perceptions, especially among younger generations, sparking hope for unification.

He pointed to the rising number of mobile phone users within North Korea as a significant trend. “Currently, around 36.4% of North Koreans, approximately 7 million, own mobile phones,” Tae shared. Through networks near the Chinese border, citizens increasingly access external information, which has shifted their perceptions of the regime. “Defectors play a key role in sharing news of South Korea with relatives in the North, helping to foster a positive image of South Korea among North Korean citizens,” he added.

Tae further described how North Koreans are increasingly exposed to South Korean movies, with 73.6% of households owning CD or DVD players. USBs and SD cards have made South Korean media more accessible, and interest in Korean culture is rapidly growing. “The popularity of South Korean dramas is sparking a cultural shift within North Korea, especially among younger people,” Tae noted. He stated that this trend is creating a more favorable perception of South Korea among North Koreans.

During the Q&A session, attendees asked about political prison camps and the dangers faced by North Korean elites. Tae explained, “Currently, approximately 220,000 North Koreans are held in political prison camps, making North Korea one of the few countries worldwide with such camps.” He highlighted that many detainees are elites or high-ranking officials, who are vulnerable to imprisonment for a single misstep. Even high-ranking figures, including foreign ministers, face permanent detention. Tae also spoke about failed coup attempts within the regime, resulting in harsh purges of those involved.

One attendee inquired about the possibility of unification. Tae responded with an emphasis on generational change, suggesting that as generations shift, so too might the regime. “Unification is like soccer; you don’t score by following only one method. In the same way, achieving unification requires diverse approaches,” he said, emphasizing that democratic societies can overcome North Korea through flexibility and diversity.

A question was also raised about South Korean citizens’ protests in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. against the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors. Tae emphasized that these protests, though they might seem symbolic, are indeed reported back to the embassy’s headquarters. He added, “China shows a dual attitude—it listens to the international community when pressured, but otherwise often turns a blind eye and proceeds with repatriations.”

The event was attended by over 130 people and provided a meaningful opportunity to discuss North Korea’s internal realities and explore diverse paths toward unification. Tae concluded by stressing the importance of international cooperation and unification education, encouraging the Washington Korean community to stay engaged and supportive of unification efforts.