Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok Commemorates 12th Anniversary of President Kim Dae-jung's Passing

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, visited the statue of former President Kim Dae-jung at Namak Central Park on the 18th to pay tribute on the 12th anniversary of the former president's passing, along with heads of departments from the provincial government.

The memorial event was held in a simple manner with only the governor and provincial government executives attending, as a large-scale memorial event with many residents could not be held due to the COVID-19 situation.

In his memorial speech, Governor Kim said, "Former President Kim devoted himself to democracy against dictatorship, led East-West reconciliation, overcame the foreign exchange crisis early, and broke the Cold War structure on the Korean Peninsula, becoming the first Korean to receive the Nobel Peace Prize." He added, "His life and spirit serve as a beacon lighting our path forward."

He continued, "In these difficult times for all citizens due to COVID-19, we miss even more the insight and wisdom of President Kim Dae-jung, who turned crisis into opportunity." He pledged, "Following his noble spirit, we will lead new changes in Korea through the Clean Jeonnam Blue Economy and the Jeonnam-type New Deal linked to it, and pioneer ultra-wide regional inter-Korean cooperation projects to lay the cornerstone for peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula."

Jeonnam Province will hold a memorial photo exhibition honoring the noble footsteps of former President Kim at the Yoon Seon-do Hall on the first floor of the provincial government building until the 20th.

To allow the general public to pay their respects, a memorial flower offering space will be operated in the exhibition room on the second floor of the Kim Dae-jung Nobel Peace Prize Memorial Hall located in Samhakdo, Mokpo.

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