Gov`t to expand educational support for young N. Korean defectors

SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government will boost its support for
young North Korean defectors to 4.5 billion won (US$3.6 million) in 2010 in a bid
to help the young students better adjust to local society, the education ministry
said Thursday.
One-to-one mentoring, special after-school classes and other custom-made programs
for the young members of the North Korean defector families will all be expanded
sharply, as funding rises from this year's 3 billion won, according to the
ministry.
"The number of young North Korean defectors is rising rapidly in South Korea. But
they are facing serious difficulties in adapting to the South's school system,
particularly due to linguistic and cultural differences," a ministry official
said.
According to government data, the number of North Korean defectors aged between 6
and 20 has surged from 13 in 1997 to 378 in 2008, while the number of defectors
attending local elementary and secondary schools reached 1,143.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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