Jindo Governor Kim Heesu Apologizes for Controversy over "Import" Remark at Administrative Integration Town Hall Meeting

Kim Heesu, Jindo County Governor, issued an official apology for inappropriate remarks regarding the Gwangju-Jeonnam administrative integration. Provided by Wando County.

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Kim Heesu, governor of Jindo County, has issued an official apology regarding the controversy over remarks he made at a public event on the administrative integration of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province.

Governor Kim released a written apology on February 4, explaining his position on the controversy caused by some of the expressions he used while discussing the issue of population decline at the event titled "Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration, Traveling Town Hall Meeting."

In the apology, Governor Kim explained that his remarks were intended to point out the structural problems of severe population decline in rural and fishing communities and the weakening foundations for marriage and childbirth, and to convey that population extinction cannot be resolved by industrial revitalization alone, but requires active institutional responses at the level of a unified Gwangju-Jeonnam local government and the central government.

He stated in particular that, in the course of discussing the grave reality of labor shortages in rural areas, he had intended to highlight the need for policies on the inflow of foreign labor and marriage migration, but that his choice of the word "import" during the remarks was inappropriate and a serious mistake in terms of expression.

Governor Kim said, "I am clearly aware that, contrary to my original intent, it was a term that could cause misunderstanding and discomfort," adding, "I express my deep regret over this expression and wish to correct it immediately."

He went on to stress, "The intent of the remarks was by no means to disparage or objectify any particular country or individual, but rather to reflect a concern that we must respect marriage-migrant women and immigrants as dignified members of our society and provide institutional support for their stable settlement and the formation of local communities."

Governor Kim stated that, going forward, he will use more careful and accurate language in discussions related to population extinction, multiculturalism, and migration policy, and that he will seek policy alternatives that respect the human rights and dignity of all members of society.

He also conveyed that, taking this incident as an opportunity, the county government will strengthen internal communication and review processes to prevent similar cases from recurring.

At the end of the apology, Governor Kim said, "Once again, I sincerely apologize to those who may have been hurt by my remarks."

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