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Compatriots and their families who were forced to emigrate to Sakhalin, Russia during the Japanese colonial period, but could not return after liberation, arrived today (27) to settle in Korea.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 91 people, including 21 first-generation Sakhalin compatriots and their accompanying families, arrived at Incheon Airport today on a flight from Sakhalin.
The average age of the first-generation Sakhalin compatriots is 88, and the oldest is 90 years old, born in 1931.
According to the ‘Special Act on Support for Compatriots in Sakhalin’, which went into effect this year, including 91 people who arrived today, 260 Koreans and their accompanying family members receiving permanent return and settlement support will enter Korea sequentially by the 10th of next month.
Previously, only the Sakhalin compatriots themselves, their spouses, and children with disabilities were supported, but with the enforcement of the law, the target of support has been expanded to include one lineal descendant and his/her spouse.
Since 1990, some 4,400 Sakhalin compatriots and their families have already settled in Korea following the permanent return to Korea project, but this is the first time they have returned to Korea after the enforcement of the special law.
Sakhalin compatriots and their families who returned today will be placed in rental housing in Ansan and Incheon after undergoing 10 days of facility isolation.
The government provides airfare, initial settling costs, operating costs for living and living facilities, rental housing, etc. necessary for their return to their home countries.
The Korean Red Cross also runs a support camp for them to adapt to life in Korea for three months until February next year.
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