22. “New Citizens” in South Korea

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in...” Matthew 25:34-35

Many people who come out from the North want to go to South Korea to make better lives for themselves and their families. But even when they arrive there, life is still difficult for them. They are different from South Koreans, though physically they look alike. Their accent is different. Their history of the last 55 years is different. Even the language they use is different. Northern Korean does not use any words of Japanese or English origin; nor do they use any Chinese characters. Up to 60 percent of Korean vocabulary has Chinese roots; and South Korean newspapers and government offices still use many Chinese characters. Southern Korean also uses many words borrowed from other languages such as American English and German. The people from North Korea have also grown up under a communist system, and so their values and beliefs are very different from those held in capitalist South Korea.

These people are sometimes referred to as “new citizens” in South Korea. When they arrive, they first go to Hanawon, the center provided by the government to help them resettle in the South. One group working in South Korea trains volunteers to help out at Hanawon. These volunteers, often university students, tutor new citizens who are young people in subjects such as Korean, English, math and computer skills. The volunteers visit the young people at home, acting like “big brothers and sisters” to them. (37)

Many Christian churches help these people settle in the South after their time at Hanawon. What would Jesus do if he were in Seoul and met a group of these new citizens in need of shelter, self-esteem, friends and work?

Not all of these new citizens settle in Seoul and the cities. Some find it hard to find work in the big cities, so move to more rural locations, while others move on to the United States and other western countries, where they can more easily get lost in the crowd.

• Praise God that many in the South want to help these people from the North who are in need.

• Pray that the Lord would bless and guide those who are helping these new citizens practically, socially and emotionally, including those at Hanawon and the young volunteers.

• Pray that Christians in South Korea would see the need right on their doorstep, give physical help and share the gospel wisely with these new citizens.