The government will launch a program next year to help North Korean escapees accumulate savings.

The Unification Ministry said on Wednesday that the program will be implemented next year as the National Assembly has passed the related bill.

Under the law, if North Korean escapees save their income in the form of  monthly installment savings, the government will add the same amount, up to 500 thousand won for four years. Those who pay 500-thousand won every month for four years would get nearly 50 million won, with half of it given by the government.

As of March this year, there are 26-thousand-485 North Korean escapees in South Korea.