S. Korea to give extra subsidies to children of defectors

SEOUL, July 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's government on Sunday said it will give additional resettlement aid to North Korean defectors to support their children who were born in a third country.

The Ministry of Unification said it has made a pre-announcement about the revision to the Act on the Protection and Settlement Support of Residents Escaping from North Korea for those children who are often marginalized and don't receive support.

The ministry and other government bodies, including the finance ministry, are discussing whether to give 4 million won (US$3,500) to 5 million won per child in extra funds to the defectors.

The unification ministry said it is also considering granting special admissions for college entrance to those children starting next year.

"We have already finished discussing (related matters) with the education ministry," a unification ministry official said, asking not to be named.
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