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By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
The chief of South Korea's Red Cross said that the humanitarian organization's primary mission of ``reuniting separate families of the divided Korean Peninsula'' will remain intact despite the overhaul of government organizations.
Lee Se-Ung, 68, new president of the Republic of Korea National Red Cross (KRC), said his organization plans to accelerate family reunions of the two Koreas with a reunion center, scheduled to be completed in the first half of the year at Mt. Geumgang, North Korea.
So far, about 130,000 people have registered as being members of separated families following the division of the two Koreas. Of them, some 34,000 have already passed on, largely because of old age. This is why the president put priority on the family reunion program.
``The government policy on North Korea may change from time to time and it could influence humanitarian efforts toward North Korea. But I think, under any circumstances, it will not diminish the desire for reunions with loved ones living on the other side of the two countries,'' Lee said in an interview with the Korea Times Thursday.
The incumbent Unification Ministry, which deals with North Korea policy, will be integrated into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the transition team announced Wednesday. Many are concerned that the abolishment of the Ministry could impact on relations with the North.
Lee also pledged to take more care of immigrants living in Korea. ``We provided humanitarian support to 7,000 people from multicultural families with 275 million won last year and aim to up that figure to 10,000 people this year. But I think there are still many things we have to do for those vulnerable,'' he said.
Asked about how the KRC differs from Red Cross in other countries, Lee particularly mentioned ``Red Cross Youth'' (RCY). ``Compared to Red Cross in other countries, KRC has many members. It means RCY provides a strong backbone for the organization. Thus, through RCY activities I hope that many young people can be more aware of and participate in environmental concerns such as dealing with climate change that have been paid less attention in Korea,'' he said.
In addition to the environmental program, he will focus on the project aiming at educating young people for global leaders in the future. Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General was also an RCY member while a high school student.
KRC raised 4.3 billion won last year from 5.5 million people. Lee said donation culture in Korea has improved, but pointed out that donations here still depend highly on companies.
``While 70-80 percent of donations come from individuals in developed countries, only 15 percent come from individuals in Korea. Koreans need to remember even a little money from them can help people a lot,'' he said.
Lee, CEO of the board of Shin Il Educational Foundation which supports Seoul Cyber(online) University and the first business leader with a successful background to head KRC, said he will introduce a business-mindset in the humanitarian organization. ``KRC has more than 100 years of history and if we want to expand the scope of humanitarian works, we need to run it more efficiently in a goal oriented business fashion.
Lee is board chairman of both Seoul Arts Center, the nation's pride of performing arts, and the Koran National Ballet Company. He also serves as a board member of the Korea Foundation and an executive board member of the Senior Advisory Council of the International Association of University Presidents.
Having served as board chairman of the Red Cross College of Nursing and vice president of KRC, Lee was named the 25th KRC president last December.
kswho@koreatimes.co.kr
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