ASAN — In a major step toward regional multicultural integration, the Chungnam Provincial Government recently celebrated its first-ever standalone World Citizens’ Day event at Dunpo Central Park in Asan.

Held under the banner “WE 通 (Communication): Different Languages, Shared Hearts,” the festival brought together roughly 700 participants. The crowd featured a diverse mix of local residents, international students, migrant workers, marriage immigrants, and regional leaders, including Chungnam Governor Park Soo-hyun. The gathering was designed to highlight foreign residents as vital, equal members of local society and to reinforce the bonds of a shared community.

The day’s program was divided into two main segments. Part 1 featured a commemorative ceremony highlighting the real-life adaptation journeys of foreign residents living in Chungnam, alongside an awards ceremony honoring individuals who have contributed significantly to social integration. Attendees also took part in a collaborative "One Chungnam" performance symbolizing unity across diverse cultural backgrounds.

Part 2 shifted to an energetic sports gathering. Governor Park kicked off the festivities by opening the "World Citizens Soccer All-Star Game," where participants from various nationalities teamed up, using sports as a universal language to connect and build camaraderie.

Provincial authorities announced plans to institutionalize the World Citizens' Day festival as an annual tradition. The initiative is a core component of Chungnam's broader strategy to cultivate an inclusive, multicultural-friendly environment ahead of its target to welcome 300,000 settled foreign residents by 2030.

During the event, Governor Park underscored the indispensable contributions of the foreign community. “Whether you are working hard in industrial sectors, pursuing academic dreams, or raising families here, you are all integral members of Chungnam,” Park stated. “Your efforts sustain our local economy, and your talents broaden our future horizons.”

Governor Park outlined several key administrative pledges to support the foreign community, including upgrading the local immigration office in Cheonan, launching a dedicated foreign resident human rights ombudsman system, and developing multicultural specialty districts in Asan's Shinchang and Dunpo areas.

Looking ahead to the 9th popular election term, the provincial administration aims to roll out comprehensive, customized policies covering education, child care, and labor rights. Notably, Chungnam is set to pioneer a localized ombudsman system to eliminate blind spots in labor rights protection, streamlining administrative services to ensure that foreign residents can thrive securely within the region.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]