“Say no to child abuse!” Urges Lady Yeonwoo
(Published September 12, 2012)

Celebrity Kim Yoo-jung appointed as honorary ambassador for child abuse prevention

◇ Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo appoints Kim Yoo-jung as honorary ambassador, handing her the appointment certificate at the “Gyeonggi Child Abuse Prevention Honorary Ambassador Appointment Ceremony” at Shinsegae Department Store, Uijeongbu. ⓒ G-News Plus / Heo Seon-ryang

Celebrity Kim Yoo-jung (Daesong Middle School), famous for her roles in the MBC series The Moon Embracing the Sun and May Queen, has been appointed as an honorary ambassador against child abuse.

The provincial government held the appointment ceremony at the cultural hall on the eighth floor of Shinsegae Department Store on September 12th with over 100 people in attendance, including Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo, Vice Governor II for Political Affairs Choi Seung-dae, Uijeongbu Mayor Ahn Byung-young, Yangju Mayor Hyun Sam-sik, and Guri Mayor Park Young-sun.

Kim Yoo-jung pinned a yellow ribbon representing support for child abuse prevention on Governor Kim’s chest, her first action as an honorary ambassador.

Kim Yoo-jung will be seen on campaign posters, brochures, and booklets for the next twelve months as part of her duties as an honorary ambassador. She will be especially busy for the upcoming ‘World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Violence’ on November 11th, attending seminars and campaigns against child abuse, and raising awareness of the importance of psychological counseling for victims and close family members.◇ Attendees of the appointment ceremony stand together for a commemorative photo ⓒ G-News Plus / Heo Seon-ryang

In her acceptance speech, Kim Yoo-jung said, “I have been fortunate not to have experienced any abuse firsthand, but I know that many of my peers have suffered such abuse. I hope my involvement will raise awareness and encourage people to take more interest in the children around them as friendly neighbors.”

In order to tackle the issue of child abuse, which has rocked the public recently, Gyeonggi Province has appointed Kim Yoo-jung, a rising star dubbed “Korea’s younger sister” due to her popularity, as an honorary ambassador for child abuse prevention to increase public awareness of the issue. The provincial government expects Kim’s fresh, clean image to subdue any negative perceptions that child abuse prevention campaigns may rouse, sending out a positive and hopeful message.

Governor Kim added, “Our indifference and distorted perception towards child abuse as a ‘personal matter’ has made it into a social problem. Children represent the future and hope. We will adapt a zero-tolerance principle and introduce new policies to prevent abuse so they can grow up as bright, happy, and healthy members of society.”◇ Governor Kim Moon-soo wears a bright smile as Kim Yoo-jung attaches the yellow ribbon of “child abuse prevention” to his chest. ⓒ G-News Plus / Heo Seon-ryang

Kim Yoo-jung took time to sit for an interview with three grade school Gyeonggi Junior Reporters after the ceremony, and finished a promotional video for the 1577-1391 hotline, saying, “There are children who are suffering in the shadows even as I speak. Your action now can save them from further abuse.”

Gyeonggi Province runs eight child protection institutes as shelters for abused children and conducts preventative campaigns. The institutes collaborate to run group homes, give awareness classes on child abuse and sexual abuse, provide mandatory education to childcare instructors and employees, and host healing camps to rehabilitate families with a history of abuse.◇ Kim Yoo-jung sits face-to-face with Gyeonggi Junior Reporters for an interview ⓒ G-News Plus / Heo Seon-ryang

ⓒ G-News Plus News | Rohh Kyeong-hui | khrohh@kg21.net

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