Seoul:The unification ministry has appointed Kim Young-hee, a North Korean defector, as the head of the Korea Hana Foundation. This marks the first time a defector has been appointed to lead the foundation, which is affiliated with the ministry to support the resettlement of North Korean defectors.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Young-hee, 61, previously led the North Korea Development Institute and will serve a three-year term as president of the Korea Hana Foundation. The foundation, established in 2010, had never before been led by a defector.

Kim was born in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province, and defected to South Korea in 2002. She has since worked as an expert on the North Korean economy for various government agencies and local governments.

The position had been vacant for over 19 months following the dismissal of the previous president, Cho Min-ho, in February last year due to allegations of sexual and verbal harassment of employees.