Yoon Visits Flood Damage Site in Gongju, Chungnam to Inspect Recovery... "Gongju is My Hometown of the Heart"

Father's Hometown Nonsan and Visit to Papyong Yoon Clan Jonghakdang

President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the flood damage site in Okryong-dong, Gongju-si, Chungnam on the 2nd and received a report on the flood recovery situation from Choi Won-cheol, Mayor of Gongju-si. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol visited Okryong-dong, Gongju-si, Chungnam Province on the afternoon of the 2nd to inspect the flood damage site and check the recovery status, the presidential office announced.

Gongju-si was a place that suffered various damages last summer due to heavy rain, including flooding of roads and houses and partial collapse of the Gongsanseong fortress wall. President Yoon visited the damage site in the Daehak-ri area of Gongju-si immediately after the flood in July last year to comfort the residents and promise recovery support.

Upon arriving at the flood damage site in Okryong-dong, President Yoon received a report on the flood recovery status from Mayor Choi Won-cheol of Gongju-si. Mayor Choi reported that due to heavy rain in mid-July last year, the water level of the Geum River rose, causing flooding in the low-lying Okryong-dong area, but currently, installation of rainwater pumping stations and improvement of stormwater drainage pipes are underway.

He also mentioned that since the river water level rises when Daechung Dam releases water, dredging would be necessary to ensure safety. In response, President Yoon emphasized the need to utilize dredged soil, noting that there are many local rivers in Korea that require dredging.

Before leaving the site, President Yoon shook hands with residents gathered at the entrance of the alley in Okryong-dong. He then recalled, "I remember getting off at Gongju intercity bus terminal with my father during my school days and walking to my uncle’s house," adding, "Gongju has always been my hometown in my heart." President Yoon stated, "As president, I will devote all my efforts to the development of the nation, Chungcheong region, and Gongju."

The President is visiting Jonghakdang, a facility for nurturing the younger generation of Confucian scholars from the Papyeong Yoon clan located in Noseong-myeon, Nonsan-si, Chungnam, on the 2nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, President Yoon visited Myeongjae Gotaek and Papyong Yoon Clan Jonghakdang in Noseong-myeon, Nonsan-si, Chungnam Province, his father's hometown village. Visiting Myeongjae Gotaek, a model Joseon Dynasty yangban house built during the lifetime of the Joseon scholar Myeongjae Yoon Jeung, President Yoon had a conversation with Jeong Jae-geun, director of the Confucian Culture Promotion Institute, and Yoon Wan-sik, the head of the Myeongjae family.

When Director Jeong told President Yoon that "the Confucian spirit of the scholar and the sense of community could be the fundamental spirit of national governance," President Yoon agreed, saying, "For the freedom of many people to coexist, responsibility and ethical awareness emphasized in Confucianism must follow."

President Yoon also visited Jonghakdang, a facility for nurturing disciples of the Papyong Yoon clan scholars during the Joseon Dynasty, emphasizing the importance of education as a long-term plan, according to spokesperson Kim Soo-kyung in a written briefing.

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