[Photo] Lee Dong-jin, Chairman of the Local Autonomy and Decentralization Council, Appears on 'MBC Local Autonomy 30th Anniversary: A Nation Made by the People'

[Seoul Autonomous District Photo News] Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, Receives Appreciation Plaque from National Health Insurance Service Nowon Branch... Saemaeul Women’s Association Members in Seongbuk-gu Deliver Drinks and Rice Cakes for 300 People to Five Facilities Including Seongbuk-gu 1st Vaccination Center and Screening Clinic... Kim Soo-young, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, Delivers ‘Love Blossoms Samgyetang’... Inos TV Donates 10 Love Filial Piety Sharing TVs to Yongsan Welfare Foundation (Chairman Lee Sang-yong)

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Lee Dong-jin, Chairman of the Local Autonomy and Decentralization Local Government Council (Mayor of Dobong-gu, Seoul), appeared on the program "A Nation Made by the People on the 30th Anniversary of Local Autonomy" held at Busan MBC on the 25th.

The program "A Nation Made by the People on the 30th Anniversary of Local Autonomy" was jointly planned by 16 regional MBC stations and the Decentralization University to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the revival of local autonomy. Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu, participated in the program as the chairman of the Local Autonomy and Decentralization Local Government Council and president of the Decentralization University, discussing "the distribution of authority among local governments and its solutions."

Chairman Lee Dong-jin stated, "From the perspective of 'sovereignty of the people,' the distribution of authority is the realization of constitutional values, and the more authority is shared, the closer we move toward a democratic society. It is time to consider the distribution of authority not only between central and local governments but also between metropolitan and basic local governments. There are dual restrictions: legal limitations and those imposed by metropolitan government ordinances, which need to be revised to fit the current reality."

Regarding whether local autonomy contributes to regional development, he evaluated, "Among 226 basic local governments, 105 are at risk of extinction. The central government should create conditions to help these areas escape the risk of extinction, and these conditions involve granting both authority and responsibility. Decentralization is necessary to solve the problem of regional extinction, which is one of the risks facing Korean society."

He also said, "Based on diversity and creativity, we must seek and transition the national framework from a centralized state to a decentralized state. One of the very core elements of the full revision of the Local Autonomy Act is 'sovereignty of the people.' It clearly states that the purpose of 'local autonomy' lies in 'resident autonomy.' Therefore, it is important for local governments to simultaneously make efforts to work with residents and empower them as the main actors."

This broadcast, aired live on regional MBC stations including MBC Busan, is scheduled to be broadcast later on Seoul MBC.

On the 26th at 1:30 PM, Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, Seoul, received a plaque of appreciation from the National Health Insurance Service Nowon Branch at the district office.

The ceremony was arranged because the Service wanted to express gratitude for Nowon-gu's contributions to welfare society realization and public health promotion, including support projects for low-income residents' health insurance premiums.

In March this year, the district revised the "Seoul Special City Nowon-gu Low-Income Residents National Health Insurance Premium Support Ordinance." According to the revised ordinance, from April, low-income households registered as regional subscribers at the Nowon branch with financial assets under 5 million KRW and household heads aged 65 or older with monthly health insurance premiums under 20,000 KRW will receive full premium support.

The ceremony was attended by Mayor Oh Seung-rok and the head of the National Health Insurance Service Nowon Branch, proceeding with the plaque presentation and commemorative photo session.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, "We are promoting various projects for a healthy welfare city Nowon during the 7th local government term. Although I did not seek this plaque, receiving such encouragement and support gives me even more strength," expressing his gratitude.

Medical staff and public officials in Seongbuk-gu, exhausted from the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, were briefly comforted by snacks prepared by residents.

On the 26th, members of the Seongbuk-gu Saemaeul Women's Club delivered drinks and 300 servings of rice cakes to five facilities including the Seongbuk-gu 1st Vaccination Center and screening clinics. The medical staff, receiving snacks filled with residents' gratitude and support, smiled brightly, saying their fatigue was momentarily relieved.

On the morning of the 26th, Kim Soo-young, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, attended the "Love Blossoms Samgyetang" sharing event held at Sinjeong 3-dong Community Center, packing samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) to be delivered to low-income elderly households together with Saemaeul Women's Club members.

On that day, samgyetang and side dishes were delivered to 100 low-income elderly households through Mayor Kim Soo-young, the Saemaeul Women's Club, and community center staff, complying with COVID-19 prevention guidelines. The delivery was not just a simple drop-off at the door but included direct checks on the elderly's well-being and health status.

Visiting the homes of elderly living alone to deliver samgyetang, Mayor Kim Soo-young said, "The temperature difference between morning and evening has become severe, raising concerns about the health of the elderly. I hope they regain their strength by enjoying warm samgyetang."

Innos TV, a specialized brand for small and medium-sized enterprise TVs (CEO Park Woo-seok), donated 10 "Love and Filial Piety Sharing" TVs to the Yongsan Welfare Foundation (Chairman Lee Sang-yong) on the 25th.

This is the sixth charitable act since the first donation in 2019. The foundation plans to install TVs in 10 low-income elderly households recommended by the Yongsan Senior Welfare Center.

Park Woo-seok, CEO of Innos TV, said, "Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, many elderly people who stay at home have no TV or use old TVs with poor screens. Through the 'Love and Filial Piety Sharing' TV sponsorship, we want to bring joy to the elderly."

Innos TV handles a variety of products ranging from 32-inch to 86-inch TVs, focusing on 55-inch smart TVs. Its headquarters is located in Namyeong-dong, Yongsan-gu, and it is a solidly growing company certified as a venture business with an established research institute. In March, it became the first small and medium-sized enterprise TV brand to enter the Indian market.

Lee Sang-yong, Chairman of the Yongsan Welfare Foundation, expressed deep gratitude, saying, "We sincerely thank Innos TV for continuously practicing sharing for local elderly people during these difficult times."

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