"Learn the country of Seonjo"...Korea-Cuba Returning Education Support Project Speed

[Anchor]
Koreans who moved to Cuba, Central America, Japanese colonial era, have taken the lead in raising funds for independence to be sent to their homeland despite their terrible poverty.

However, Koreans had no choice but to live a long time without being connected to their motherland as exchanges were cut off due to different systems.

It is news that a local education office in Korea is resuming language and culture education support projects for Korean descendants in Cuba with the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reporter Jeonghanna is here.

[Reporter]
Yasmin, a high school student who turned 16 this year.

He is a descendant of a Korean who moved to Cuba as a cactus Eneken worker in the 1920s.

Yasmin, who lives in Maguway, recently came to Havana, the capital, which is a 10-hour drive away, for a new challenge.

This is because the Jeollanam-do Office of Education passed the educational support project for Korean descendants in Cuba.

[Yasmine Herrera Mehiya / 5th generation of Korean descendants: Cuban Korean descendants, I'm so proud to have the opportunity to study in Korea for 3 years. I can't believe it]

The educational support project for Korean descendants in Cuba began in 2017 to honor and support their ancestors who devoted themselves to the independence movement.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been temporarily suspended since 2019.

The Jeonnam Office of Education will support vocational training such as nursing practice as well as Korean language and culture education for three years from next year.

[Kim Dae Jung / Jeollanam-do Office of Education Superintendent: When Koreans are in trouble, we started to support the independence movement for our independence, honor the spirit, and share the future education of our descendants..]

Korean descendants in Cuba hope that the curriculum will help them maintain their Korean identity.

[Melissa Lee / 4th generation Korean descendant teacher: I'm so proud to have this opportunity for my younger descendants.]

[Marty Lim / Second generation of Korean descendants: Giving scholarships to students who want to learn the Korean language and Korean history is fattening the souls of our descendants.]

In particular, as this year is a meaningful year when formal diplomatic relations between Korea and Cuba began, local students who like Korean culture were included.

[Rachel Moi Hernandez / 15-year-old high school student: I'm so honored to be here with you. I will cherish this opportunity and study hard to repay the trust you gave me.]

Currently, there are about 1,000 Korean descendants left in Cuba.

Although it has been disconnected from its motherland for a long time, it seems that it is necessary to spare attention and support to Korean descendants who want to protect the Korean language and our culture even now.

I'm Jeonghanna from YTN World in Havana, Cuba.