Vice minister consoles Japanese spouses here

A government minister visited Japanese spouses living in Korea on Thursday to offer his consolation over the damage caused by the magnitude-9.0 earthquake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear crisis.

Kim Kyo-sik, vice minister of gender equality and family affairs, had tea at the multicultural center in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, with 10 Japanese women who have settled in Korea through marriage.

Four of them are from the eastern part of Japan devastated by the earthquake and tsunami, now threatened by radioactive leakage from a quake-stricken nuclear plant.

“I am grateful that the migrant spouses have successfully blended into Korean society and moreover brought diversity and dynamism to the country,” Kim told the women.

He said many Koreans were moved by the degree of calm and order the Japanese citizens have shown during the measures against the earthquake and ensuing disasters.

“I am certain that the nation will stand up once again. We will support the multicultural families from the disaster-stricken areas,” he added.

The ministry is now collecting damage cases to provide psychological therapy to the females if needed. The state will also fund child and elderly care services here for the families of Japanese residents who wish to fly to their home countries to check on the damage.

There are currently 5,326 Japanese women married to Koreans and living here with 5,734 children.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)