Kim Dong-yeon: "The Core of Provincial Administration Is to Ensure Youth Are Not Restricted in Pursuing What They Want"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon held a policy meeting with about 40 young people on the 25th at Dodamso (the former Gyeonggi Province Governor's official residence). Governor Kim and the attending youth are taking a commemorative photo.

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, stated that social members including youth are "restricted in their freedom," and that Gyeonggi Province will carry out its administration in a direction that provides "opportunities" to allow freedom.

On the 25th, at the 'Gyeonggi Province Youth Policy Hand-in-Hand Meeting (Hand-in-Hand Listening Day)' held at Dodamso (former governor's official residence), Governor Kim said, "Not only people with disabilities or economically vulnerable groups who are restricted in what they want to do, but also our youth are restricted in their freedom within a complex and structural environment," adding, "Although the types of restricted freedom differ, we are all people whose freedom is restricted, and allowing freedom that fits each form is what I consider an opportunity. The big direction of Gyeonggi Province's administration is to provide more opportunities and more equitable opportunities."

He then mentioned the recent case of granting freedom (opportunity) to youth by holding the World Cup citizen cheering event the day before.

Governor Kim said, "The reason why more than 5,000 residents joined together from beginning to end at the Suwon World Cup Stadium was not only to unite our spirit and support the football team, but also because of the '10.29 Tragedy,'" adding, "It is natural and encouraged for youth to express their youthfulness, have a good time, and gain strength, whether in Itaewon or at the World Cup Stadium. Our society, the older generation, and the government/public sector wanted to show that even with more than 5,000 people cheering, everyone can enjoy safely without accidents through prevention and response to safety issues."

This meeting followed Governor Kim's promise at the '2nd Gyeonggi Province Youth Participation Organization Launch Ceremony' held on Youth Day, September 17, where he pledged to "regularly talk with youth and listen to what they want to say at any time." Forty youths from Gyeonggi Province, who applied through the Gyeonggi Province Open Governor's Office and the official Gyeonggi Province social network service (SNS), participated in the event.

The youths attending the meeting conveyed opinions to Governor Kim such as ▲activation of Baedal Teukgeup (delivery service) ▲creation of youth hobby spaces ▲activation of online communication channels.

In response, Governor Kim said, "There was also talk about wanting to do what they want to do, and Gyeonggi Province plans to launch a 'Youth Ladder (low-income student overseas study program)' and other 'Youth Opportunity Series' next year."

Furthermore, he emphasized, "I think the meaning behind youth saying they cannot do what they want is related to the winner-takes-all structure derived from our society's infinite competition. We need to change this structure," adding, "(To this end) Gyeonggi Province will place 'more opportunities,' which signify economic and social dynamism, like the right wheel, by attracting investments in semiconductors and the hydrogen economy, and 'more equitable opportunities' like the left wheel, so that although the two wheels of the cart are not exactly the same, they can move forward in balance."

He also said, "All the youth are my advisory committee members. I created this space with the idea of listening to any topic without restrictions and doing what can be done," and urged, "Some came from far away, like Dongducheon, and from next month, I will meet youth once a month, so please apply whenever you have the opportunity."

At the event, the performance team 'Able Music Group,' composed of people with developmental disabilities, gave a congratulatory performance, and an instant photo booth was set up so that youth could communicate with the governor without formality.

Governor Kim plans to continue regular meetings with youth even after this meeting.

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