The 1st Local Autonomy Day event held on October 29 at the aT Center in Yangjae-dong, Seoul

Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo is cutting the tape at the opening ceremony of the 1st Korea Local Autonomy Exhibition with key officials including Yoo Jeong-bok, Minister of Security and Public Administration (MOSPA). ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo attended the celebration of the 1st Local Autonomy Day held on October 29 at the aT Center in Yangjae-dong, Seoul, to encourage the relevant staff of the event.

Hosted by the Ministry of Security and Public Administration (MOSPA), this event was attended by over 900 participants including Governor Kim, Minister Yoo Jeong-bok, mayors and governors of the country, primary local government heads, local assembly members, academic experts, and representative of residents, all celebrating the first Local Autonomy Day.

The Local Autonomy Day is established to increase the national interest in local governments and present a desirable direction for regional development. The date was set as October 29 in celebration of the 9th amendment of the constitution (October 29, 1987) when local government was legislated as a basic principle of the management of state. There was no official anniversary by the government even though it has been over 20 years since the implementation of local governments such as the formation of the local councils in 1991 and election of local government heads by popular vote in 1995.

The event kicked off with a performance by the Art Group of Puripae and Gwangmyeong City Choir, followed by a report on the establishment of the Local Autonomy Day and the proclamation of the charter of local governments.

The charter of local governments included the purpose and basic ideology local governments as well as the major values to pursue, with the authority and responsibility of residents, local governments and the state to establish mature local governments.

This charter was completed after discussions by the Home-rule Charter Committee made up of the academia and civic groups as well as the representatives of the four regional councils such as local assembly members, mayors, county governors, borough heads, district council heads, and governors of the country.

The charter of local governments was proclaimed along with a vow by Minister Yoo Jeong-bok; Bak Maeng-woo, President of the Governors Association of Korea; Park Sang-soo, Vice-president of the National Association of City and Provincial Assembly; Kim In-bae, President of the National Council Association of Chairmen; and Bae Deok-gwang, President of the National Association of Mayors.

In the award ceremony for the man of merit, Han Tae-seok, chief of the Local Autonomy Administration Division in Gyeonggi Province, received a presidential citation.

Governor Kim Moon-soo is pledging allegiance to the nation at the celebration of the 1st Local Autonomy Day. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

After the celebration, Governor Kim looked around the exhibition hall of the 1st Korea Local Autonomy Exhibition with the other participants including Minister Yoo.

This exhibition is based on the theme of ‘The Past, Present and Future of Local Autonomy,’ and consists of various pavilions such as the ‘Local Autonomy Policy Pavilion’ displaying the history and future of local autonomy, ‘City and Provincial Publicity Pavilion’ introducing the major accomplishments and excellent policies in each city and province, and ‘Native Local Resources Exhibition’ exhibiting and selling over 500 items of excellent regional specialties at a discounted price.

“Gyeonggi Province has led the way to realize a true local autonomy,” said Governor Kim Moon-soo. “We welcome the Local Autonomy Day and will do our best to achieve greater development of Gyeonggi Province. I hope local autonomy develops into a true occasion for win-win growth in which the central and local governments as well as residents participate.”

Governor Kim visited the booths of Namyangju, Yeoju, Goyang, Icheon, Yangju and Pocheon to shake hands with the relevant staff and encourage them. He also actively publicized the high-quality goods of Gyeonggi Province to the major figures who joined him in the tour.

The health examination center provided by the St. Vincent Hospital of the Catholic University of Korea offered free examinations of bone density, body fat, blood pressure and diabetes, which was incredibly popular with a long line. Moreover, the booth promoting the Safe Taxi Service of Hwaseong, which was implemented for the first time that day, also attracted attention of many people.

The Gyeonggi Policy Promotion pavilion presented ‘Visiting Director/Chief Council’ designed in the concept of the vehicle for Domin Anbnag, Infinite Care, Public Service Subway, Always Public Service, Public Experience (Taxi), Job Bus, and Witty Answers for the visitors,

The Native Local Resources Exhibition attracted visitors with 12 booths including star brand exhibitions such as G Mark. Yangju’s Jangheung Station ArtPark and Yangpyeong’s Sanjeok Village terraced paddy field participated in the 30 Best Local Resources.

There was also a seminar to discuss policies to develop local autonomy with the participation of experts and public officials, discussing ways to implement establish a mature local autonomy, seek customized policies for regional development, and implement services that make residents happy.

In addition, over 400 residents and public officials representing each city and province will ride their bicycles in a relay for five days as a cross-country trip from the aT Center to Namhangang River, Saejae, Nakdonggang River, and Daegu.

Governor Kim Moon-soo is looking around the booths with Minister Yoo Jeong-bok. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

ⓒGyeonggi G-News | Park Gwan-sik malbut@kg21.net

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201310291751047055C048&s_code=C048