Purpose of Establishment / President’s Greeting
Despite the on-going government resettlement program formed in 2002, the lives of these refugees remain arduous.
More than half of these North Korean defectors consider themselves as lower class (45.7%) or below-poverty (5.5%) level, and their unemployment rate is at 12.1%, which is 3.3 times higher than an average South Korean. Among the employed defectors, 45.4% are permanently employed, 32.2% are daily workers, and 15.2% are temporary workers.
The North Korean defectors here today are the start of the preparation for unification, and they are a critical part of a united Korea’s future.
Helping these North Korean defectors settle down in Korea is essentially the first step of the unification. Therefore, enhancing human rights for North Koreans, North Korean defectors and POWs and alleviating their challenging living conditions are the first steps needed to be taken in preparation for a successful unification.
Mulmangcho plans to advocate for North Korean and North Korean defectors’ human rights and improve the quality of life by building an alternative school and an elderly care facility for North Korean defectors and POWs alike.
In particular, young North Korean defectors who have been deprived of sufficient education due to their status will be provided with adequate educational facilities and educational opportunities overseas for foreign language trainings. These students will become the future of the Korean Unification, and we will do our utmost best to support them with their goals.
In addition, we hope to help the POWs and the older North Korean defectors by operating a care facility.
Once the aforementioned projects are completed, as part of the preparation for the unification, we will commence a human rights program to enhance the human rights of the 25 million people living in North Korea and to advocate for the dissolution of political concentration camps. Further, we plan to carry out various support programs for the forgotten victims of history including Sakhalin Koreans, Koryo-saram of Middle East, and comfort women.
Park Sun Young
Chairman of Mulmangcho
Love begins with affection, and affection begins from one’s memory.
Mulmangcho in Korean is a small flower that carries the meaning of “forget-me-not.” Though its size is small, this flower symbolizes our responsibility to remember those who mustn’t be forgotten.
Korea had to endure a myriad of agonizing challenges during the last century. As we chase abundance and affluence, we have forgotten about the people who have been left behind by our history.
Albeit small, a number of people with conscience have come together to raise those forgotten victims buried in our oblivion. This is just the first step.
In order for Mulmangcho, the embodiment of clear conscience and intellect, to propagate freedom and democracy throughout the world, we desperately need your heartfelt encouragement and support. Small changes can make big differences. Just like the word Mulmangcho suggests, we want to start by ‘remembering’ with you. With you, we can make this world a better and brighter place.
Come and join the Mulmangcho family.
Let us remember and help the victims of our painful history who weren’t fortunate enough to be supported by our government. We hope to take the easy step first and help those that have come to us and are near us. We want to help young North Korean refugees and the elderly POWs. By doing so, we hope we can pave a flowery road for a better future for Korea.
May the fragrance of Mulmangcho flower always stay in the hands of those that give help.
Thank you.
