Heo Seok, Mayor of Suncheon, Holds a Warm Conversation with COVID-19 Heroes

Delivering Messages of Encouragement and Hope to Citizens Dedicated to COVID-19 Response

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Heo Seok, mayor of Suncheon, announced on the 2nd that on the previous day, to mark the beginning of his 4th year in office, he held his first on-site dialogue titled ‘Heartfelt Conversation with COVID-19 Citizen Heroes’ at the Suncheon Medical Center plaza.

The conversation was organized to encourage the hard work of medical staff, volunteers, and related officials who tirelessly devoted themselves day and night on the front lines of COVID-19 prevention, and to gather citizens including self-employed business owners and cultural artists to share their reflections and listen to difficulties and suggestions.

The event began with a video screening titled ‘The True Heroes of Suncheon Are the Citizens Themselves,’ expressing gratitude to citizens who suffered during COVID-19. Mayor Heo tied handkerchiefs on the wrists of citizen representatives who became seeds of hope in various fields such as healthcare, quarantine activities, and volunteering during times of crisis, and shared conversations with attendees.

Mayor Heo reflected that in the crisis of COVID-19 spread, each citizen who practiced social distancing, self-employed business owners and small merchants who temporarily closed their businesses, and those who participated in the Kwonbun Movement were small heroes who blossomed hope for the community, and they were the happy vaccine that united the community more firmly.

On that day, a nurse at Suncheon Medical Center shared that during the early days of COVID-19 patient outbreaks, she could not go home for a while and could not properly care for her family. She also felt upset when treated like a virus while going out in her medical gown, but after receiving a thank-you letter from a discharged patient, she felt pride and fulfillment, showing tears in her eyes.

A public officer at Suncheon City Health Center who was engaged in COVID-19 specimen collection recalled working like a field hospital in an office without even a folding bed to rest. Although initially hurt by citizens’ anxiety and complaints during the early response, he said that recently he has gained strength from the support and encouragement of the citizens.

The leader of the Lilac Volunteer Group, who participated in the Kwonbun Movement, expressed that although many people’s daily lives were made difficult by COVID-19 and it was a regrettable situation, it became an opportunity to feel the warm spirit of community as each citizen demonstrated mutual care even in crisis.

Despite difficulties such as decreased sales, about 2,500 self-employed business owners and small merchants voluntarily participated in temporary closures, and cultural and artistic groups that have not been able to hold performances or exhibitions for the past year and a half hope for a quick return to normal life. They also requested administrative and financial attention and support along with gratitude for the efforts of medical staff, related officials, and volunteers.

Through a letter he wrote himself, Mayor Heo expressed gratitude, saying that although Suncheon was a city with many confirmed cases, it was able to recover the fastest and was recognized nationwide as a successful response case thanks to the dedication of medical staff, related officials, and all citizens.

He continued, “Just as the seeds of hope sown with citizens broke through the barren land called COVID-19 and bore fruit, in the upcoming post-COVID-19 era, we expect even richer fruits to be borne in Suncheon’s fertile soil,” and added, “The 4th year of the 7th elected term is not the last year but a new inauguration of a one-year term. With this determination and attitude, I will return to the beginning and devote myself to serving and dedicating to the citizens.”

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