Gwangju City Prepares for Launch of Social Service Agency with 'No Issues'

Kim Jong-hyo, Deputy Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, is presiding over the 4th Gwangju Social Service Center Establishment Promotion Committee meeting on the 8th. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City is accelerating preparations for the launch of the Social Service Center, becoming the first among social service center projects in cities and provinces this year to receive approval for the establishment of a foundation corporation from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

According to Gwangju City on the 8th, the city received approval from the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 2nd for the establishment of the Gwangju Social Service Center corporation, along with the appointment approval of 11 directors, including the center director appointed by the mayor, and 2 auditors.

Jo Ho-gwon, former 6th Chairperson of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council and President of the Korea Peninsula Future Research Institute, was appointed as the inaugural director to lead the Gwangju Social Service Center.

Non-standing directors include welfare experts and civic organization officials such as Ham Cheol-ho, Professor of Social Welfare at Gwangju University; Son Jae-hong, President of the Gwangju Senior Welfare Association; Park Jong-min, Co-Representative of Gwangju Welfare Sympathy; and Jeong Chan-gi, Executive Committee Member of Gwangju Economic Justice Network. Non-standing auditor Song Jin-hee, a certified public accountant at Hanul Accounting Corporation, was also appointed.

Gwangju City expects the inaugural director Jo Ho-gwon, who served as the 6th Chairperson of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council, to demonstrate excellent organizational management skills as well as innovative leadership and to share the values and philosophy of the 7th elected administration.

According to relevant laws, the city must complete the registration process within three weeks after the corporation establishment approval, by June 23 at the latest. Therefore, by the 17th, the city plans to proceed with the appointment procedures for the director and other executives, hold the first board meeting, and deliberate and approve necessary regulations, business plans, and budgets for corporate operation.

Additionally, the city plans to swiftly proceed with hiring headquarters staff and preparing office facilities within this month.

Lee Pyeong-hyung, Director of the Welfare and Health Bureau, said, “As there is high interest from welfare sites and citizens regarding the launch of the Gwangju Social Service Center, it is important to secure momentum by establishing a detailed operational system in the early stages to fulfill its role faithfully.” He added, “Regarding controversial issues such as the transfer of welfare foundation facilities, we will prepare reasonable measures promptly through close consultation with welfare sites and labor unions.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.