UNIFICATION EDUCATION SUPPORT ACT
Act No. 5752, Feb. 5, 1999
Amended by Act No. 7355, Jan. 27, 2005
Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008
Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008
Act No. 9800, Oct. 19, 2009
Act No. 10972, Jul. 28, 2011
Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013
Act No. 12040, Aug. 13, 2013
Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018
The purpose of this Act is to prescribe necessary matters for promoting and supporting education on the unification of South and North Korea.
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008]
The terms used in this Act shall be defined as follows: <Amended by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018>
| 1. | The term "unification education" means education which helps the people foster the sense of values and attitudes, required to achieve the unification of South and North Korea, based on the belief in free democracy, consciousness of the national community, and sound awareness of national security; |
| 2. | The term "regional unification education center" means an institution, organization or establishment designated by the Minister of Unification pursuant to Article 6-3 to educate regional residents about unification as well as to collect and furnish information pertaining to unification education; |
| 3. | The term “unification hall” means an establishment designated or established by the Minister of Unification pursuant to Article 6-4 to expand the understanding of North Korea through the exhibition, experience, etc. of materials concerning North Korea and unification and to foster public awareness of unification. |
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008]
| Article 3 (Basic Principles for Unification Education) |
| (1) | Unification education shall protect the basic order of free democracy and pursue peaceful unification. |
| (2) | Unification education shall not be used for private or political purposes. |
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008]
| Article 3-2 (Fundamental Matters concerning Unification Education) |
| (1) | The Minister of Unification shall determine fundamental matters concerning unification education in order to provide unification education according to the basic principles provided for in Article 3. |
| (2) | In determining the fundamental matters concerning unification education, the Minister of Unification shall consult with the head of a relevant central administrative agency. |
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008]
| Article 3-3 (Unification Education Week) |
The fourth week of May of each year shall be designated as “Unification Education Week” to strengthen the public's aspiration to unification.
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018]
| Article 4 (Duties of State and Local Governments) |
| (1) | The State shall encourage unification education by providing unification education, promoting research on unification issues, providing training and support to specialists in unification education, or developing and distributing teaching materials concerning unification education, or by implementing other methods, as provided for in this Act. <Amended by Act No. 9800, Oct. 19, 2009> |
| (2) | The State may assist any person providing unification education (including a corporation or organization; hereinafter the same shall apply) in providing all or some expenses involved within budgetary limits, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended by Act No. 9800, Oct. 19, 2009> |
| (3) | Local governments shall formulate and implement regional policies in consideration of national policies and regional characteristics. In such cases, matters necessary for formulating and implementing such policies may be prescribed by municipal ordinances. <Amended by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018> |
| (4) | Local governments may provide any person providing unification education for regional residents, with necessary financial and administrative support within budgetary limits. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018> |
| (5) | The State and local governments shall build a mutual cooperation system to facilitate policies under this Act. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018> |
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008]
| Article 5 Deleted. <by Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008> |
| Article 6 (Formulation of Basic Plan for Unification Education) |
| (1) | The Minister of Unification shall establish a basic plan for unification education (hereinafter referred to as "basic plan") to facilitate unification education. |
| (2) | The basic plan shall include the following: <Amended by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018> |
| 1. | Basic principles, goals, and directions for unification education; |
| 2. | Matters concerning mutual cooperation among ministries, agencies, institutions, and organizations in providing unification education; |
| 3. | Raising public awareness of unification education; |
| 4. | Matters concerning investigating, evaluating, and correcting the actual state of unification education; |
| 5. | Matters concerning providing training and support for specialists in unification education; |
| 7. | Matters concerning developing and distributing teaching materials related to unification education; |
| 8. | Matters concerning fostering and supporting domestic and overseas unification education institutions and organizations; |
| 9. | Matters concerning expanding and managing facilities and equipment necessary for unification education; |
| 10. | Matters concerning promoting research on unification issues and unification education; |
| 11. | Matters concerning establishing and operating a cooperative system for unification education; |
| 12. | Other matters necessary for promoting unification education. |
| (3) | In formulating the basic plan, the Minister of Unification shall pre-consult with the head of a relevant central administrative agency. |
| (4) | In formulating the basic plan, the Minister of Unification may hear the opinions of experts who have substantial knowledge and experience in unification education. |
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008]
| Article 6-2 (Use of Public Facilities) |
Anyone who is in charge of unification education may, if it is deemed necessary for unification education, use public facilities to the extent that does not hinder the original purposes of use thereof, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008]
| Article 6-3 (Designation and Operation of Regional Unification Education Centers) |
| (1) | The Minister of Unification may designate an institution, organization or establishment which primarily aims for unification education or is deemed capable of providing unification education (hereinafter referred to as "institution, etc.") as a regional unification education center. |
| (2) | The head of the institution, etc. designated as a regional unification education center shall, when important matters prescribed by Presidential Decree among the details of the designation are changed, report the fact to the Minister of Unification. |
| (3) | When any institution, etc. designated as a regional unification education center falls under any of the following cases, the Minister of Unification may revoke the designation thereof: Provided, That when the institution, etc. falls under subparagraph 1, the designation thereof shall be revoked: |
| 1. | Where it has obtained the designation by fraudulent or other improper means; |
| 2. | Where it is deemed seriously incapable of providing unification education. |
| (4) | When any institution, etc. designated as a regional unification education center falls under any of the following cases, the Minister of Unification may order the institution, etc. to suspend its work for a fixed period of not more than six months: |
| 1. | Where it provides unification education, in violation of the basic principles of unification education provided for in Article 3; |
| 2. | Where it obtains subsidy by fraudulent or other improper means or spends such subsidy for other purposes; |
| 3. | Where it fails to report the changed matters referred to in paragraph (2). |
| (5) | When the Minister of Unification intends to revoke the designation of any regional unification education center pursuant to paragraph (3), he/she shall hold a hearing with regard thereto. |
| (6) | Other necessary matters for the designation and operation of regional unification education centers, etc. shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008]
| Article 6-4 (Designation, etc. of Unification Halls) |
| (1) | The Minister of Unification may establish and operate a unification hall or designate an establishment providing educational and experiential activities concerning North Korea and unification as a unification hall in order to provide the public with information on North Korea and unification and to utilize the unification hall as a place for unification education. |
| (2) | The head of an establishment who intends it to be designated as a unification hall pursuant to paragraph (1) shall file an application for designation with the Minister of Unification after meeting the designation requirements prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as facilities, budget, human resources, education operation plan, etc. |
| (3) | Where important matters prescribed by Presidential Decree among the designation requirements falling under paragraph (2) are changed, the head of an establishment designated as a unification hall pursuant to paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as “head of a unification hall”) shall notify the Minister of Unification of such fact. |
| (4) | Except as otherwise provided for in paragraphs (1) through (3), the procedures, methods, etc. for applying for designation of a unification hall and notifying changed matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018]
| Article 6-5 (Corrective Order concerning Unification Halls) |
Where a unification hall falls under any of the following, the Minister of Unification may order the head of the unification hall to take corrective action within a specified period:
| 1. | Where it has provided unification education in violation of the basic principles for unification education provided for in Article 3; |
| 2. | Where it fails to meet the designation requirements referred to in Article 6-4 (2) or is deemed explicitly lost its operational determination; |
| 3. | Where it fails to notify changed matters referred to in Article 6-4 (3). |
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018]
| Article 6-6 (Revocation of Designation of Unification Halls) |
| (1) | The Minister of Unification may revoke the designation of a unification hall in any of the following cases: Provided, That he/she shall revoke such designation in cases falling under subparagraph 1: |
| 1. | Where an establishment has obtained the designation of a unification hall by fraud or other improper means; |
| 2. | Where an establishment has received a corrective order under Article 6-5 but fails to comply with such order within a specified period without any justifiable ground. |
| (2) | The Minister of Unification shall hold a hearing if he/she intends to revoke the designation of a unification hall pursuant to paragraph (1). |
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018]
| Article 6-7 (Provision of Unification Education to Public Officials) |
| (1) | The heads of central administrative agencies, the heads of local governments, and the heads of public institutions referred to in Article 4 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions shall provide unification education under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 to public officials, employees, etc. in their jurisdictions and shall submit the results of such education to the Minister of Unification. |
| (2) | The Minister of Unification may develop and distribute necessary teaching materials to effectively provide unification education under paragraph (1). |
| (3) | Except as otherwise provided for in paragraphs (1) and (2), matters necessary for providing unification education, such as the method and time to provide unification education shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018]
| Article 7 (Inclusion of Unification Education) |
An education and training institution established by the State or a local government, or any person who establishes and operates a social education institution prescribed by Presidential Decree shall endeavor to include unification education (including the fundamental matters concerning unification education provided for in Article 3-2 (1)) in the education and training curriculum, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. [This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008]
| Article 8 (Promotion of Unification Education at Schools) |
| (2) | The Minister of Unification may request the Minister of Education or the superintendents of education of the Special Metropolitan City, Metropolitan Cities, Special Self-Governing City, Dos, or Special Self-Governing Province (hereinafter referred to as "superintendents of education") to include unification education (including fundamental matters concerning unification education provided for in Article 3-2 (1)) in the education curriculum of elementary and secondary schools; and the Minister of Education or the superintendents of education shall, upon such request, include unification education in the education curriculum. <Amended by Act No. 9800, Oct. 19, 2009; Act No. 10972, Jul. 28, 2011; Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013; Act No. 12040, Aug. 13, 2013> |
| (3) | The Government shall encourage a person establishing and operating a higher educational institution defined in Article 2 of the Higher Education Act, including universities and colleges, to establish departments, open lectures, and establish and operate, etc., a research institute related to unification issues; and may fully or partially subsidize necessary expenses for experiential learning and lectures relating to unification, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018> |
| (4) | The Minister of Unification may annually conduct a survey of the actual state of the unification education of elementary and secondary schools in consultation with the Minister of Education, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 12040, Aug. 13, 2013> |
| (5) | The Minister of Unification may fully or partially subsidize expenses of experiential learning and lectures relating to unification, provided by elementary and secondary schools. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 12040, Aug. 13, 2013> |
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008]
| Article 9 (Request for Receiving Unification Education, etc.) |
| (1) | The Minister of Unification may request a person who provides unification education, a person who is engaged in the business of exchange and cooperation between South and North Korea, a person who is engaged in the affairs of preparing for the unification, or a person who is deemed to be in need of receiving unification education, to receive unification education. |
| (2) | When the Minister of Unification intends to select the subjects of unification education as provided for in paragraph (1), he/she shall, in advance, consult with the head of a relevant administrative agency or organization. |
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008]
| Article 9-2 (Training of Professional Unification Educators) |
| (1) | The Minister of Unification may establish a professional course in unification education and grant qualifications as a professional unification educator to a person who has completed the course. |
| (2) | Detailed matters concerning the operation, etc. of the professional course in unification education established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be determined by the Minister of Unification. |
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 9800, Oct. 19, 2009]
| Article 10 (Unification Education Council) |
| (1) | Any person who provides unification education may establish Unification Education Council (hereinafter referred to as the "Council") with authorization from the Minister of Unification to conduct consultation and coordination to efficiently provide unification education and to promote mutual cooperation among relevant persons. |
| (2) | Necessary matters for the organization, operation, etc. of the Council shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008]
| Article 10-2 (Unification Education Officials) |
| (1) | The Minister of Unification shall commission a unification education official to contribute to laying a foundation for peaceful unification by assisting the public to be more committed to and more capable of pursuing unification through unification education activities. |
| (2) | The Minister of Unification shall commission any of the following persons as a unification education official in consideration of gender: <Amended by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018> |
| 1. | A person who actively engages in unification education activities at an education institution of any education level and in communities; |
| 2. | A person who has completed the professional course in unification education under Article 9-2; |
| 3. | A person who has substantial knowledge and experience in unification education and is recognized by the Minister of Unification. |
| (3) | A unification education official shall conduct the following: |
| 1. | Providing unification education; |
| 2. | Supporting events related to unification education; |
| 3. | Other activities to promote unification education, which are deemed necessary by the Minister of Unification. |
| (4) | The Minister of Unification may provide a unification education official with necessary expenses for unification education activities within budgetary limits. |
| (5) | An institution, organization, etc. providing unification education pursuant to this Act may provide various administrative support to promote the activities of unification education officials. |
| (6) | Where a person commissioned as a unification education official falls under any of the following, the Minister of Unification may dismiss the relevant person: <Newly Inserted by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018> |
| 1. | Where he/she has provided unification education, in violation of the basic principles for unification education provided for in Article 3; |
| 2. | Where he/she has breached any of his/her duties; |
| 3. | Where he/she is deemed unsuitable as a unification education official due to neglecting duties, demeaning behavior, or other grounds; |
| 4. | Where he/she becomes unable to perform his/her duties due to a physical or mental disability; |
| 5. | Where he/she explicitly states in person that it is impractical for him/her to perform duties. |
| (7) | Matters necessary for the commission, dismissal, etc. of unification education officials shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018> |
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 9800, Oct. 19, 2009]
When a person has provided unification education, the content of which constitutes infringement of the basic order of free democracy, the Minister of Unification shall request the correction thereof or lodge an accusation against him/her to an investigation agency, etc. <Amended by Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018>
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008]
ADDENDUM
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 7355, Jan. 27, 2005>
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 9287, Dec. 31, 2008>
This Act shall enter into force one month after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 9800, Oct. 19, 2009>
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 10972, Jul. 28, 2011>
This Act shall enter into force on July 1, 2012.
ADDENDA <Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
| (1) | This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. |
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 12040, Aug. 13, 2013>
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 15433, Mar. 13, 2018>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures concerning Designation of Unification Halls)
An establishment that has been subsidized by the president of the Institute for Unification Education as at the time this Act enters into force, among establishments that exhibit materials concerning North Korea and unification, provide the experience thereof, and perform other similar activities, shall be deemed a unification hall designated pursuant to the amended provisions of Article 6-4: Provided, That such establishment shall meet the requirements under the amended provisions of Article 6-4 (2) within six months after this Act enters into force.