The Export-Import Bank of Korea (www.koreaexim.go.kr, Chairman Yong Hwan Kim, Korea Eximbank) announced on October 7 that it contributed 20 million won to the ‘North and South Day of Sports’ hosted by the NK Athletic Corps (athletic organization of North Korean defectors) in the recreational field by the Han River in Yeouido.

The sports event, attended by over 400 people including North Korean defectors, staff from the Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces, and 50 staff from Korea Eximbank, was arranged to keep up the spirits of North Korean defectors and to bring harmony and unity between North and South Korea.

Chairman Yong Hwan Kim of Korea Eximbank visited the Han River recreational field and delivered the bank’s donation to President Il Joo Kim of North Korean Refugees Foundation and Mr. Chang Kwon Han, a representative of North Korean defectors.

Chairman Yong Hwan Kim remarked, “Korea Eximbank, as an agency entrusted to manage the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund, is playing a important role in promoting inter-Korean economic cooperation and unification. I hope that this North and South Day of Sports would bring harmony and unity between North Korean defectors and South Koreans.”

Likewise, Mr. Cheol Bong Jang (40), a North Korean defector, said “ I hope this event will serve as an opportunity to remove any remaining barriers between North and South Koreans.”

The event featured a variety of programs including a soccer game with players from the Korea Eximbank soccer club, a tug of war, a 400-meter relay run and a singing contest.

The donation by Korea Eximbank will help finance the cost of the forthcoming ‘North and South Korean Soccer School’ scheduled for 15 days beginning from October 21 ？ to which former and current soccer coaches from the two Koreas will be invited ？ as well as the cost of the North and South Day of Sports.