Around 1,000 residents and figures from hometown associations attended, creating a venue for provincial harmony

Presenting directions for fostering advanced industries, growing local businesses, and achieving balanced development across 14 cities and counties

Awarding four recipients of the "Proud Jeonbuk Person" award and consolidating the will to attract key public institutions

Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province announced its commitment to achieving "tangible growth"—where residents can feel changes in their daily lives—and creating a Jeonbuk where all 14 cities and counties develop together, marking the 46th Provincial Residents' Day.

On the 23rd, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province held the "46th Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Residents' Day Commemorative Ceremony" at the provincial government auditorium, drawing about 1,000 attendees, including major institutional and organizational heads in the province, diaspora residents, business leaders, and recipients of the Proud Jeonbuk Person award.

This commemorative ceremony was organized to reaffirm the meaning that residents are the masters of Jeonbuk, achieve tangible growth together with the citizens, and express the determination to advance into a greater Jeonbuk alongside the world.

In his commemorative address, Governor Lee Won-taek emphasized, "Growth is not statistics, but people; it is not numbers, but life. No matter how many projects we pursue and how great achievements we make, if the lives of our residents do not change, it is not true growth."

He then presented the vision of provincial administration: a Jeonbuk where young people can cultivate their dreams in their hometowns, small business owners feel the joy of running their businesses, and farmers and fishermen reap rewards commensurate with their sweat. He also expressed his intention to pool the competencies of the provincial administration into improving the lives of residents, including creating a good environment for giving birth to and raising children and ensuring comfortable daily lives for the elderly.

As directions to achieve this, he proposed fostering advanced industries and strengthening the self-reliance of the local economy. His blueprint involves cultivating future industries such as physical AI and robots based on Saemangeum’s renewable energy and industrial land, while simultaneously building an economic foundation where local enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, and small merchants grow together.

Governor Lee stated, "Rather than relying solely on external inflows, we will foster our own capacity to grow from within. No region and no single person should be marginalized in Jeonbuk’s growth." He also emphasized connecting the resources, industries, and jobs of all 14 cities and counties to share the opportunities and outcomes of growth together.

He also urged the importance of resident harmony and the spirit of community. Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Governor Lee Won-taek said, "Reflecting on the spirit of the Donghak Peasant Revolutionaries who stepped forward for a new world and community, let us join forces as residents to open a righteous and warm future for Jeonbuk."

During the ceremony, awards were presented to four recipients of the "Proud Jeonbuk Person" award who contributed to regional community development. The recipients are Heo Seok-bong, Managing Director of Doksan Ether City Co., Ltd. in the innovation category; Kim Yoon-kwon, CEO of Chamgoeul Co., Ltd. in the economy category; Lee Kwang-jin, Chairman of the Korea Craft Culture Association in the culture category; and Kim Doo-bong, President of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Federation of the Korean Korean Senior Citizens Association in the sharing category.

Events bringing together the aspirations of the residents followed. Attendees chanted the slogan, "The united power of the residents! Key public institutions to Jeonbuk!", urging the attraction of core public institutions to the province.

Additionally, under the theme "Residents' happiness becomes the light of Jeonbuk," a video capturing the daily lives, traditional culture, and future industries of the 14 cities and counties was screened. Afterward, major guests held hand pickets while attendees lit up the venue with their mobile phone flashlights, expressing their intent to gather the hearts of the 1.72 million residents and open Jeonbuk's tomorrow together.

The commemorative ceremony served as a harmonious venue shared by current and diaspora residents, featuring an opening performance by the Jeonbuk Provincial Gugak Center, a reading of the Provincial Residents' Charter, congratulatory video messages, a performance by the a cappella group DIA, and the joint singing of the Provincial Residents' Song.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]