Pledging Cooperation for the Construction of Yeomyung School, an Alternative School for North Korean-Born Youth

Unification Ministry Signs MOU for the Construction of Yeomyung School (July 24)

[Related National Agenda] 116. Alleviating the Sufferings of Division and Resolving Humanitarian Issues

On July 24, Minister of Unification Chung Dong Young attended the signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding regarding the construction of the Yeomyung School campus at Yeomyung School in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. He was joined by leaders of partner organizations, including Jeong Keun-sik, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, Sung Kim, President of Hyundai Motor Group, and Lee Moon-sik, Chairman of the board of directors of the Yeomyung Foundation.

The signing ceremony was attended by National Assembly member Han Jeong-ae and Gangseo-gu Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon, who congratulated Yeomyung School on its new journey. Representatives of the school’s donors, including actor and author Cha In-pyo and L&P Cosmetic Chairman Kwon O-sub, also attended the event.

The MOU aims to establish a collaborative framework among partner institutions for the smooth implementation of the Yeomyung School campus construction project. By providing a stable educational environment for North Korean-born youth, it seeks to fulfill educational responsibilities, foster social integration, and cultivate future talents.

Regarding the roles of each institution, the Ministry of Unification will support social integration, provide settlement support, and administrative and financial assistance for North Korean-born youth. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will grant permission for land use and provide administrative and financial support. Hyundai Motor Group will contribute project funding and support the cultivation of future talents. The Yeomyung Foundation will bear project expenses, oversee campus construction, and handle the donation and transfer of the facility upon completion.

This agreement extends beyond mere school construction; it serves as a “new model of public-private partnership” where the government, the office of education, a global corporation, and a non-governmental organization jointly participate to offer a more stable and supportive educational environment for North Korean-born youth.

With the signing of this agreement, Yeomyung School can construct a new campus on the site of the former Yeomgang Elementary School, which it currently leases, thereby securing stable educational facilities.

*The newly constructed Yeomyung School campus will be built not as a standard school model, but as a customized educational facility reflecting the unique educational needs of its students—North Korean-born youth. Upon completion, the campus will be donated to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.

Minister Chung Dong Young stated, “Through this agreement, Yeomyung School, which had lacked a permanent home over the years, now has a stable campus,” adding that “the Ministry of Unification will continue to provide unwavering support.”

Moving forward, the Ministry of Unification plans to work closely with partner institutions to build an educational environment where North Korean-born youth can learn and grow without discrimination, providing all necessary support to help them become key talents for the future.