North Korean defector Ji Seong-ho, who previously served as a lawmaker with the ruling People Power Party, has now assumed the role of governor in his hometown of North Hamgyong Province. This significant appointment is part of South Korea's strategy to govern areas north of the inter-Korean border, with these appointments being supervised by the Ministry of Interior and Safety's Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces. These positions are largely symbolic and align with Article 3 of the South Korean Constitution, which asserts the entire Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands as South Korean territory. During his inauguration, Ji expressed his belief that the Five Northern Korean Provinces Committee reflects the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's vision for the future of the Korean Peninsula, citing the president's commitment to a unified Korea with freedom and human rights for all Koreans. Ji emphasized the administration's focus on supporting North Korean defectors, including expanding government subsidies and educational assistance for defectors' children. As governor, he sees his primary role as preparing for the potential unification of the Koreas, stressing the readiness of the Committee of the Five North Korean Provinces for immediate action in the event of unification. Ji's personal journey as a North Korean defector adds an emotional dimension to his new role, as he reflects on the poverty he faced in North Hamgyong Province and the transformation that led him to become the governor of the same region. His powerful story includes his defection to South Korea in 2006, a life-changing accident, and his subsequent election as a member of the National Assembly in 2020. With North Hamgyong Province being home to the largest number of North Korean defectors in South Korea, Ji's personal and professional experiences uniquely position him to advocate for their rights and to support the process of potential reunification.