Dong-A Socio Holdings (President Han Jong-hyun) announced the signing of a business agreement with the Heritage of Korean Independence, the Association of Korean Native Religions, and the Dangun National Peace and Unification Council to promote inter-Korean relations and support MDR-TB treatment in North Korea at 10 am on September 11 at the Independence Hall in Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
President Han Jong-hyun of Dong-A Socio Holdings, Chairman Kim Won-woong of the Heritage of Korean Independence, Acting Chairman Park Hee-jae of the Association of Korean Native Religions, Co-representative/Secretary General Yoon Seong-gil of the Dangun National Peace and Unification Council, and other officials attended the ceremony.
The agreement signed by Dong-A Socio Group is intended to support the humanitarian treatment of MDR-TB patients in North Korea and contribute to the promotion of inter-Korean exchanges in the future.
With this agreement, Dong-A Socio Holdings, the Heritage of Korean Independence and the other institutions concerned will cooperate on providing anti-tuberculosis drug support for the treatment of MDR-TB patients in North Korea, sharing information needed to support the treatment of MDR-TB patients in North Korea, promoting and supporting a joint national movement campaign to publicize the plight of MDR-TB patients in North Korea, and promoting inter-Korean relations.
The Heritage of Korean Independence, Association of Korean Native Religions, and Dangun National Peace and Unification Council are social groups composed of people from all walks of life who are committed to promoting peaceful reunification and inter-Korean exchanges.
Tuberculosis requires long-term treatment including the administering of various medications for at least six months and continuous proper care. However, in North Korea many patients are reported to discontinue their treatment too early due to a shortage of medical resources. According to the WHO Joint Report on North Korea Tuberculosis Control (2017), there are more than 5,000 new cases of MDR-TB each year in North Korea.
President Han Jong-hyun of Dong-A Socio Holdings said, “I believe that we can accelerate the expansion of inter-Korean relations and peaceful unification if various inter-Korean cooperation plans are prepared and implemented at the private level. As such, we will continue engaging in various activities that will contribute not only to the treatment of MDR-TB patients but also to the unification of South and North Korea.”