IGEE at Yonsei University

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To support a wide range of research activities that contribute to achieving the SDGs, the Social Engagement Fund (SEF) program was launched in July of 2018. Students and researchers around the world were called to submit research and project proposals that emphasized implementing and evaluating the impact of the SDGs, which can also result in tangible outputs on top of knowledge alone. The entries were screened by a number of expert panels.

Health counseling for North Korean women

Keyword : North Korea, Healthcare, Reducing Inequalities

Date : 2023-07-27 | Read : 15,222

Health right is a basic human right that everyone should receive regardless of human gender, age, religion, and economic and social status. In this regard, the WHO defines health equity as "a state in which there is no unfair and avoidable or correctable health gap among population groups."

However, North Korean defectors are not in a situation to pursue their health rights. It is estimated that nearly 300,000 have left North Korea but are unable to enter South Korea. As they do not receive proper legal protection from either South Korea or North Korea, they do not receive basic healthcare services. In particular, in the case of North Korean women residing in foreign countries, their health conditions worsen due to imprisonment, detention, psychological trauma, etc.

This study aims to identify the need for health checkups through virtual meetings 1-2 times a month and link them to taking courses from specialists in that region. In addition, it aims to understand their health conditions, provide educational materials accordingly, and conduct follow-up interviews so that they can ultimately stay healthy in other countries.