o The launching ceremony of 'Supporters of Korean Unification(a civilian organization promoting nation-wide campaign for unification preparation)' and 'Yu Woo-ik's Talk Concert on Unification Jar' were held at the Education Center for Unification on July 12^th, 19:30 P.M.

  - Some 350 people from various sectors of society including representatives of governmenr agencies and the 'Supporters of Korean Unification,' as well as university and high-school students participated in the event.

['Supporters of Korean Unification' Launching Ceremony]

o At the launching ceremony of the 'Supporters of Korean Unification':

  - one of the unification jars made by the Minister of Unification was given to the newly launched 'Supporters of Korean Unification,'

  - followed by civilian donations to the unification jar.

  - Moreover, all the participants wrote personal messages in support of unification preparation and put them into the unification jar in a show of their will toward unification.

[Yu Woo-ik's Talk Concert on Unification Jar]

o In the second session of the event, 'Yu Woo-ik's Talk Concert on Unification Jar,' Minister Yu and four comedians starring in KBS' Gag Concert talked about unification preparation in various formats including:

  - a short comedy show by the KBS' Gag Concert team,

  - special lecture by the Minister of Unification,

  - consultative session on the 'Top-five Concerns Regarding Unification,'

  - and a concert by the top 4 contenders of 'Voice of Korea,' a music audition program.

o During the talk show, Minister Yu Woo-ik provided consultation and solutions on the five most common concerns that the Korean people have about unification.

  * The five concerns were selected based on the result of an online poll by 3,142 participats from June 22^nd to July 8^th.

 1. Possible social commotion upon unification due to different ideology, philosophy, lifestyle, and culture between the two Koreas(social intergration, 47%)

 2. Increase of tax burdens for welfare system, SOC, and infrastructure(economic burden, 21.7%)

 3. Potential regional conflict and social discrimination(discrimination against North Koreans, 8.1%)

 4. Problems regarding education due to differences of educational system and gaps in academic level(educational program, 5%)

 5. Future dynamics of Korea's relationship with the neighboring countries such as the U.S., Japan, China, and Russia(unification diplomacy, 3.1%

  * Crime, welfare, and etc: 21%

o The Ministry of Unification will organize various programs to draw public interest in and support for unification preparation, and will continue to reinforce efforts to enhance communication with various sectors of the society on the matter.


[Survey Results on 'Top-five Concerns Regarding Unification]

o The Ministry of Unification conducted an online survey on the Korean people's concerns regarding unification from June 22^nd to July 7^th.

  - The survey was carried out via an online blog and SNS on students of the Education Center for Unification under the theme "I believe unification is inevitable but I am worried about ________."

  - Five most common concerns were selected based on the result of the survey by 3,142 participants.