On May 22, the investigative reporting team of Aju Economy met with Jung Kyung-jo, the governor of South Pyongan Province, and Myung Gye-nam, the governor of Hwanghae Province, at the Northern Provinces Office. Upon entering the office on the second floor, the first thing that caught the eye was a desk piled high with administrative documents and materials. Next to it lay a handwritten work log filled with daily schedules in colorful ink. In response to recent criticism that the office is "wasting taxes without doing anything," Governor Jung had come in early to present the administrative records.
Seated across from each other at a glass table in the reception area were Jung Kyung-jo, 74, who maintained a military posture with his white hair, army belt, and hearing aid, and Myung Gye-nam, 74, a cultural figure who has lived closely with the public for decades. Both born in 1952, they have taken very different life paths but now share the weight of leading the 8.8 million North Korean defector community. The reason these two men, who had remained silent, chose to speak publicly for the first time is to preserve the history of the forgotten defectors and to clarify misunderstandings about themselves.
The two governors symbolically refer to South Pyongan and Hwanghae Provinces as 'Seodo' (Western Provinces) and are collaborating on various initiatives. They see themselves not merely as political appointees but as 'recorders of history' who are uncovering and preserving the trajectories of defectors. Despite budget constraints, Governor Jung has personally researched and compiled a manual, resulting in the first historical research report on the 16 cities and counties of South Pyongan Province in 76 years. Governor Myung is also committed to digitizing materials related to Hwanghae defectors.
The criticism they face is particularly painful for the two governors, who have dedicated their later years to serving the defector community after thriving in their respective fields. Governor Jung emphasized that the Northern Provinces Committee is not just a business department but an 'administrative agency' managing and connecting 8.8 million defectors and North Korean escapees, who make up 17% of the population. He pointed out that, like the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which allocate large budgets for organizational maintenance and personnel costs, the committee also requires essential administrative funding to sustain the defector community.
They drew a line against calls for a 'honorary position' transition. Governor Jung stated that the position of governor is a practical administrative role that represents the rights of the residents and uncovers intangible heritage, unlike other honorary roles that serve merely as advisory positions. He expressed concern that if the governor's role were downgraded to an honorary position, it would lose negotiating power with government departments, leaving defectors vulnerable to administrative gaps.
Governor Myung, who has faced suspicions of being a 'reward appointment,' acknowledged, "I do not deny that the Northern Provinces have received media attention this year because of me." However, he added, "Having led a large organization called 'Noh Sa Mo' in the past and dealt with cultural policies, I will quietly prove my capabilities in my position, so please watch over me."
The two governors are also actively pursuing new initiatives to raise awareness of the historical value of the defector community. They are planning YouTube discussions to communicate with future generations and are promoting a musical drama titled 'Tears of the Daedong River,' which transforms the tragic experiences of refugees crossing the Daedong River during the Korean War into a message of peace.
The reason they are dedicated to uncovering and documenting extensive materials is simple: the loss of first-generation defectors' memories signifies the loss of modern Korean history.
Moreover, they are committed to proactive actions for the future beyond preserving the past. Governor Jung expressed a desire to gather mayors and county heads to form a unified volunteer group to assist during national disasters and deliver coal briquettes to marginalized neighbors, aiming to transform the defector community into an organization that actively contributes to the nation. Governor Myung identified the establishment of a 'Defector History Museum' on Gyodong Island in Ganghwa County, Incheon, a key project he aims to pursue during his term. He stated, "If securing a budget is difficult right now, we will try to gather support for the basic design through community funding," showing strong determination.
Governor Jung emphasized, "Complete unification is not merely about building roads and apartments; it is achieved when the culture of the North, which we have diligently preserved, flourishes there once again." He expressed hope that the records they are fiercely documenting will become seeds for the coming era of peace and unification.
Amid public scrutiny, the two governors are proving that their positions are not mere titles but carry a heavy sense of duty. Their intense journey, embracing 8.8 million defectors, shines as a steadfast reality, much like the meticulously organized documents and administrative papers on the table.
The in-depth investigative report examining the operational status and the need for reestablishing the role of the Northern Provinces Committee will continue in '[Aju Investigative Report] Late arrivals and expense reimbursements near home... Reigniting the debate on the existence of the Northern Provinces Committee.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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