By Kim Young-jin

North Korean defectors will play a key role in better educating the public about unification of the two Koreas, the first defector to gain a high-ranking government position said Friday.

Cho Myung-chul, the recently-named director of the Education Center for Unification, said he would infuse its programs with defectors in a bid to raise awareness on conditions there and better prepare for the two countries to unite one day.

"Nobody knows the situation better than defectors," Cho, 52, said in an interview at his office in Seoul. "It's very important for the public to know all aspects of North Korea, from the economy to the culture."

The director, who fled in 1994, said he would tap defectors to give lectures and participate in outreach activities and suggested they could engage civil servants and the elderly.

The body, which is in charge of educating the public on unification, targets all ages starting at around elementary school through outreach and in-house seminars. Cho's position is equivalent to that of a vice-minister.

It also runs training programs to prepare educators to teach the subject.

The appointment was seen as a victory for the over 21,000-strong defector community, which has suffered economically and socially despite integration efforts.

"And people in the North will see that South Koreans are willing to share and work together with defectors. It's a huge step forward," he said.

Cho, who taught economics at the elite Kim Il-sung University, said he is driven by the memories of living under the Stalinist regime and the hope of advocating for those without a voice.

"I couldn't speak my mind even if it would have helped the country," he said. "I could have died if I tried."

His desire to defect began to germinate while he was studying in Russia, where he was unable to devote his full attention to studies due to his obligations to the North.

He recalled one Seollal, the Lunar New Year holiday, as a particular low point.

"That's when you were supposed to be happiest, reflecting on the past year and looking ahead. But I was stuck memorizing Kim Il-sung's New Year's speech," he said, referring to the country's late founder.

He used the time to read international publications and speak with South Koreans. This came at a considerable risk _ he once saw a friend repatriated with casts on his legs to prevent him from running, for such violations.

"I always knew the regime was unreasonable, violating all kinds of human rights. But most frustrating was seeing other countries developing rapidly while North Korea was lagging behind, putting all its energy into ideological education," he said, replying to why he defected.

Cho, who previously worked for the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, a state-run think tank, stressed he would also prioritize teaching about the security situation on the peninsula as well as preparing for eventual reunification.

The effort will likely prove a challenge as interest in a unified peninsula fades among younger South Koreans and the issue remains a political wedge.

Cho acknowledged the difficulties as well as projections that a deep economic divide between the Koreas remained a cause of concern.

"Of course, there will be a cost to reunification. But it would be limited. The benefits will be unlimited," he said, citing the North's undeveloped land and natural and human resources.

The man who said he worked all of his weekends in order to integrate into society here encouraged his fellow defectors to keep their noses to the grindstone.

"Those years before escaping were lost, stolen. We were deprived of educational opportunities, knowledge and enjoyment," he said.

"After all that, it takes time to adjust, to change behavioral patterns and assimilate. You must try hard, and if you do, society will take notice."