Launch of 'Gyeonggi-do Citizen Safety Innovation Team' to Protect Residents... Appointment Ceremony on the 9th

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon (left) held an advisory meeting along with the appointment ceremony of the Citizen Safety Innovation Group at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office on the 9th. Governor Kim is taking a commemorative photo after handing the appointment letter to a committee member. Photo by Gyeonggi Provincial Office

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has launched the 'Citizen Safety Innovation Group,' a policy advisory organization in the safety sector.

On the 10th, Gyeonggi Province announced that Governor Kim Dong-yeon appointed nine members of the Citizen Safety Innovation Group at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office on the 9th. The Innovation Group is one of the citizen safety measures announced by Governor Kim Dong-yeon following the October 29 disaster.

The appointed members are ▲ Park Young-sook, Director of Neutinamu Library (Community Safety) ▲ Lim Seung-bin, Professor of Public Administration at Myongji University (Administration) ▲ Lee Sang-gu, Co-Representative of the Welfare State Society (Environmental Industry) ▲ Hong Soon-ui, Head of the Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (Industrial Accidents) ▲ Jeong Il-su, Director of the Safe Village Research Institute (Daily Safety) ▲ Jeon Chi-hyung, Professor at the Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy, KAIST (Science and Technology) ▲ Park Doo-yong, Professor of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering at Hansung University (Environmental Engineering) ▲ Yoo Jeong, Professor at the College of Character and Liberal Arts, Seokyeong University (Disaster Psychology) ▲ Jeong In-sook, Director of the Women's Hotline 1366 Gyeonggi Northern Center (Violence Against Women).

The Innovation Group will propose policy suggestions and improvements to the appropriateness of safety management operation systems. It will also serve as an advisory body regarding on-site dispatch and measures in the event of safety accidents.

At the appointment ceremony, Governor Kim Dong-yeon said, "Yesterday (the 8th), we conducted a social disaster drill simulating an actual situation, and I was deeply moved thinking about the October 29 disaster. I felt ashamed and devastated that the government and public sector failed to prevent and properly respond to the accident afterward." He added, "If such an accident occurs, I said that I, as the governor, would actively follow the judgment and instructions of the on-site commander. Without genuine apology and reflection, clear facts and accountability, and a series of corresponding measures, there will be a significant gap in the most important prevention."

He continued, "What I expect from the Citizen Safety Innovation Group is to break away from the complacency and inertia that public officials may have in accident prevention, response, and post-management. I hope you will break the mold," and added, "Through the Innovation Group's activities, I hope citizens will realize the importance of safety issues and develop the awareness that investment and preparation for safety are not wasteful but essential."

He further stated, "Before establishing the Innovation Group after the October 29 disaster, I had a long conversation with Professor Lee Jae-yeol and realized many things. To summarize in one sentence, it was 'I was too ignorant.' While Gyeonggi Province has some experience and know-how regarding natural disasters, I felt that if a social disaster occurs, there are shortcomings from cause to prevention, response, and recovery, which led to the creation of the Innovation Group. I ask you to devote your utmost effort and sincerity to the safety and lives of our citizens."

The province plans to expand the Citizen Safety Innovation Group by additionally appointing safety activists and bereaved families of social disaster victims.

Meanwhile, following the appointment ceremony, Professor Lee Jae-yeol of Seoul National University (Department of Sociology), invited as a discussant for the Innovation Group, gave a presentation titled "Korea as a Complex Disaster Society Reflected Through the October 29 Social Disaster."

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