The Committee for the Reconciliation of the Korean People of the CBCK held the 12th Catholic Network for the Reconciliation of the Korean People, President: Most Rev. Lucas Kim Woon-hoe, Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul, with the theme 'Saeteomin (North Korean refugee settled in South Korea) - Agent for the Evangelization of North Korea' at Hanmaum Retreat Center in Yangju from November 12 to 13, 2009. Along with Bishop Kim, some 90 priests, religious and lay faithful participated in this meeting.

To this meeting many Saeteomins were invited to bear witness to the true picture of North Korea, as well as to disclose their experience of the social prejudice against them and their feeling of alienation in South Korea . Listening to their witness, many experts of this meeting presented their suggestion for the better life of the Saeteomins in South Korea.

Mr. Dong Young-soo (pseudonym), a Saeteomin entered into South Korea in 2003, said, "I cannot but realize the fact that a North Korean living in South Korea belongs to the third class in the society, worse than a Joseonjok (Chinese people of Korean descendent)." Ms. Kang Seon-hee (pseudonym), another Saeteomin, said, "All I can find in South Korea is just a trifling job, even though I truly want to render a valuable service to the society, not just being a breadwinner to maintain my existence."

Prof. Ko Kyeong-bin, Guest Professor of Korea Cyber University and Ex-Director of Settlement Support Center for North Korean Refugees under the Ministry of Unification (alias Hanawon), said, "The agony of 20,000 Saeteomins preoccupies the pain of some 20 million North Koreans after the reunification of two Koreas. …… The prejudice and discrimination against them eventually contribute to the excessive burden on the reunification. …… We have to change our attitude and see them as the protagonist of reunification, and, furthermore, the agent for the evangelization of North Korea."

Dr. Kim Byeong-chang, Psychiatrist at National Medical Center, said, "Saeteomins have to suffer from mental and physical pains because of the destitution and fear of death before the defection, as well as their obscure socioeconomic status in South Korea after the defection. They show a typical symptom of post-trauma stress disorder."

In his remarks, Bishop Kim said, "I can realize what a grave mission I have to accomplish in the future as I have listened to the witnesses of the Saeteomins. I will pray for God's blessing of the day when we all can live in one heart with the reconciliation of two Koreas."