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North Koreans learn Southern ways North Koreans learn Southern ways
(1 day later)
By John Sudworth BBC News, Seoul Hanawon offer a new route to feeling at home in South KoreaBy John Sudworth BBC News, Seoul Hanawon offer a new route to feeling at home in South Korea
North Korean refugees who make it to South Korea have often travelled a long, hard road.North Korean refugees who make it to South Korea have often travelled a long, hard road.
The land border that, for almost six decades, has split this peninsula in half, is one of the most impermeable in the world, carpeted with landmines and across which hundreds of thousands of soldiers still eyeball each other.The land border that, for almost six decades, has split this peninsula in half, is one of the most impermeable in the world, carpeted with landmines and across which hundreds of thousands of soldiers still eyeball each other.
So defectors from the North must cross into China where they risk capture and forced repatriation.So defectors from the North must cross into China where they risk capture and forced repatriation.
The lucky ones arrive here in South Korea after months, or years, of hardship and trauma, only to face another hurdle: how to adjust to what must seem like an alien landscape, with its bewildering, free-wheeling free market, and its strong emphasis on individual responsibility.The lucky ones arrive here in South Korea after months, or years, of hardship and trauma, only to face another hurdle: how to adjust to what must seem like an alien landscape, with its bewildering, free-wheeling free market, and its strong emphasis on individual responsibility.
Compared to the old North Korean certainties of a command economy and family networks, capitalism can be very lonely.Compared to the old North Korean certainties of a command economy and family networks, capitalism can be very lonely.
Minding the gapMinding the gap
On 8 July, South Korea celebrated the 10th anniversary of a project meant to ease some of that burden.On 8 July, South Korea celebrated the 10th anniversary of a project meant to ease some of that burden.
In 1989 the first of several special reception centres known as "Hanawon" was opened. In 1999 the first of several special reception centres known as "Hanawon" was opened.
The Hanawon experience is useful, not only for job training, but for the psychological adjustment Seo Jae-pyungThe Hanawon experience is useful, not only for job training, but for the psychological adjustment Seo Jae-pyung
Since then, it has been providing medical treatment, psychological counselling and practical support to help almost 16,000 refugees from the North.Since then, it has been providing medical treatment, psychological counselling and practical support to help almost 16,000 refugees from the North.
Seo Jae-pyung, 38, defected in 2001. "After 60 years, our two countries really are very different," he said.Seo Jae-pyung, 38, defected in 2001. "After 60 years, our two countries really are very different," he said.
"So the Hanawon experience is useful, not only for job training, but for the psychological adjustment. It helps you relate to South Koreans and allows you to communicate with them.""So the Hanawon experience is useful, not only for job training, but for the psychological adjustment. It helps you relate to South Koreans and allows you to communicate with them."
The Hanawon centre has three separate rooms for worship; Buddhist, Catholic and Protestant.The Hanawon centre has three separate rooms for worship; Buddhist, Catholic and Protestant.
The decision whether or not to take part, and in which service, will be for many their first genuine experience of freedom of religion.The decision whether or not to take part, and in which service, will be for many their first genuine experience of freedom of religion.
The "trainees" as they are called are also shown how to use technology of which most have little experience - computers, washing machines and ATMs.The "trainees" as they are called are also shown how to use technology of which most have little experience - computers, washing machines and ATMs.
Guilt and sensitivityGuilt and sensitivity
They sleep in shared dormitories, four or five to a room, and eat together in the canteen.They sleep in shared dormitories, four or five to a room, and eat together in the canteen.
Children are not likely to have seen toys like these north of the borderChildren are not likely to have seen toys like these north of the border
Some admit to a strong sense of guilt every mealtime as their thoughts turn to the hardships facing their husbands, wives or children left back home.Some admit to a strong sense of guilt every mealtime as their thoughts turn to the hardships facing their husbands, wives or children left back home.
The high security at the fenced compound hints at the political sensitivity of the mission to induct thousands of North Korean citizens into a different way of thinking.The high security at the fenced compound hints at the political sensitivity of the mission to induct thousands of North Korean citizens into a different way of thinking.
All defectors are debriefed by the South Korean security services before admission, to ensure that they are not North Korean secret agents.All defectors are debriefed by the South Korean security services before admission, to ensure that they are not North Korean secret agents.
So this is a rare occasion, with the doors thrown open to celebrate the tenth anniversary.So this is a rare occasion, with the doors thrown open to celebrate the tenth anniversary.
Nonetheless, many of the trainees choose to hide their faces in front of the television cameras.Nonetheless, many of the trainees choose to hide their faces in front of the television cameras.
North Korea is known to use guilt by association to jail the relatives of those who have escaped.North Korea is known to use guilt by association to jail the relatives of those who have escaped.
Even with the three-month Hanawon training programme, North Korean refugees find their new life far from easy.Even with the three-month Hanawon training programme, North Korean refugees find their new life far from easy.
Kim Cheol-woong was a music student when he defected from North Korea.Kim Cheol-woong was a music student when he defected from North Korea.
Freedom to choose a faith is a new experienceFreedom to choose a faith is a new experience
He now works as a musician in the South and was invited back to the Hanawon to perform at the anniversary ceremony.He now works as a musician in the South and was invited back to the Hanawon to perform at the anniversary ceremony.
But afterwards, he spoke candidly about his experience.But afterwards, he spoke candidly about his experience.
"I thought South Korea would be the beginning of happiness," he said."I thought South Korea would be the beginning of happiness," he said.
"But I have to tell you, it was the beginning of pain. Defectors here face poverty, and even worse, social discrimination.""But I have to tell you, it was the beginning of pain. Defectors here face poverty, and even worse, social discrimination."
Defectors may have left behind a place with a broken economy and widespread hunger - one where the average North Korean is now several centimetres shorter than the average Southerner - but South Korea is rarely the paradise that some might hope for.Defectors may have left behind a place with a broken economy and widespread hunger - one where the average North Korean is now several centimetres shorter than the average Southerner - but South Korea is rarely the paradise that some might hope for.
The Hanawon system is simply a start and a way of softening the blow for people who have already suffered enough.The Hanawon system is simply a start and a way of softening the blow for people who have already suffered enough.