Choi Kyung-hee, President of Suncheon City Women's Association... Sharing the Value of Togetherness in Difficult Times

Suspicion of Age Restriction Due to Unawareness of Articles Amendment... It's Regrettable
Suspicion of City Subsidy Settlement... Transparently Disclosed Through Settlement Process

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] As the unexpected COVID-19 situation prolongs, many people are struggling, and a mother’s love becomes even more dearly missed during the year-end and New Year holidays.

Choi Kyung-hee, who was elected on the 16th as the president of the Suncheon City Women’s Organizations Council, composed of 13 women’s groups in Suncheon City, said she wants to create a “Suncheon City Women’s Organizations Council that understands the value of togetherness.”

Choi, elected as the 21st president of the Suncheon City Women’s Organizations Council, will hold an inauguration and retirement ceremony next year and serve as president for the next two years.

When asked about her thoughts or determination, President Choi said, “The role of the president of the Suncheon City Women’s Organizations Council is not about power or status but about responsibility and service through activities,” adding, “The climate crisis is challenging ecosystems, and the COVID-19 situation is making our society difficult, so I believe there are more places than ever that need the touch of women and the warm hearts of mothers,” and she pledged, “We will always be a women’s organization that stands together.”

Regarding the development direction of the Women’s Organizations Council, President Choi said, “The Suncheon City Women’s Organizations Council is a council of presidents of 13 excellent organizations, each with different roles but united by the common goal of improving women’s rights and quality of life. It is important to gather great energy through mutually respectful leadership and find the role of women that fits the changing times,” and she vowed, “Although I feel worried about taking on this heavy responsibility, I will work hard together with the presidents of the 13 organizations.”

When asked about her usual philosophy or values, President Choi replied, “As a modest person, rather than having grand philosophies or values, I believe in the conviction of ‘I can do it, let’s try’ and living with a heart to serve as long as I can.”

Since many citizens still do not know her well, she was asked to introduce herself. She said, “It is natural that people don’t know me well because I have not lived a life that stands out,” and described herself as “a country girl who enjoys the life of a farmer working in Seomyeon.”

President Choi often hums “Baraem (Wish)” by Noh Sa-yeon, whose lyrics feel like comforting her life. She shared, “I have lived as a mother of two sons and one daughter, all of whom have married and given me grandchildren, with a reliable husband who scratches my itchy back well.”

With a background as a village women’s association president, farm housewives’ association president, and female director of Suncheon Nonghyup, President Choi has been practicing volunteer work for over 30 years and currently serves as the president of the Korea Life Improvement Association.

The Korea Life Improvement Association, which celebrated its 62nd anniversary this year, is a nationwide organization supporting the improvement of women farmers’ rights and leadership development. Branches are established in each city and county, and it conducts solidarity activities with the central or provincial federations.

Since last year, the Suncheon City branch, led by President Choi, has about 500 members across 22 towns, townships, and neighborhoods. In cooperation with the Suncheon Agricultural Technology Center, it carries out projects aimed at improving the living standards and rural environment for women farmers, fostering future agriculture, promoting urban-rural exchange, safe food campaigns, rural women’s welfare enhancement, and creating rural areas where women want to live.

Recently, some raised concerns about President Choi’s qualifications due to her age.

President Choi responded, “I think such issues arose because people are not well aware of the bylaws of the Korea Life Improvement Association’s Suncheon branch, central office, or provincial federation,” and explained, “Our society has long entered an aging society, and the reality is even more severe in rural areas.” She noted that the Suncheon branch’s bylaws were amended last year, confirming there is no problem.

She added, “In rural reality, people in their 60s are a minority, and those in their 70s and 80s are the ones protecting the countryside. Even the rural youth association consists of members in their late 60s to 70s,” and expressed regret, saying, “Our organization also removed the age limit for members last year because we thought we would have no members otherwise. It seems people are unaware of this fact.”

She explained that the age limit was removed from the Suncheon branch’s bylaws last year, and the central and Jeonnam provincial federations allow each branch to decide according to their circumstances as a supplementary provision.

Regarding this situation, media reports stating “The Korea Life Improvement Association Suncheon branch is upset” support President Choi’s position.

Additionally, recent reports have raised suspicions of “operational corruption” and “opaque use of city subsidies” within the Suncheon City Women’s Organizations Council.

President Choi stated, “The Suncheon City Women’s Organizations Council is operated with membership fees from each organization’s president, and except for office rent, the costs for volunteer activities or projects are small.”

She explained, “City subsidy projects are very limited and undergo a settlement process after completion,” and added, “For events receiving subsidies, the executive committee’s funds inevitably have to be used,” citing the kimchi sharing event held with Yangcheon-gu, Seoul as an example.

“Last year, the city subsidy for the Yangcheon-gu kimchi sharing event was 4.6 million won, but after deducting 1.8 million won for a 2-day, 1-night tour bus rental, 800,000 won for lodging for 24 people, 1 million won for meals, 1 million won for promotional and tasting expenses, and costs for purchasing flyers, supplies, and delivery fees, the executive committee’s funds had to be used,” she said, adding, “The association’s self-funded amount reached 1.24 million won.”

She further explained, “This year, the kimchi sharing event subsidy is 1.56 million won in total, with 910,000 won for kimchi purchase, 450,000 won for delivery, 100,000 won for online promotion, and other expenses deducted, resulting in a shortfall.”

A Suncheon City official said, “Subsidies are verified through a settlement process, and any misuse is pointed out and addressed,” adding, “Contrary to some claims, we do not manage or supervise the Women’s Organizations Council, nor can we prepare or keep their accounting books.”

At the end of the interview, President Choi said, “I feel regret and acknowledge shortcomings regarding some recent controversies,” and pledged, “I will work with Suncheon to make the organization more transparent, clean, and better together, enhancing women’s status and leadership so that women can dream bigger dreams.”

The Suncheon City Women’s Organizations Council is composed of 13 groups, including the Korean Women’s Association, Suncheon City Women’s Volunteer Association, Saemaeul Women’s Association, Suncheon YWCA, Barugesalgi Women’s Association, Women Consumers’ Union, Korean Mothers’ Association, Volunteer Fire Brigade Women’s Association, Freedom Federation Women’s Association, Consumer Education Central Association, and Korea Life Improvement Association.

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