Gov. Park vows to reflect public voices in provincial policy

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Park Wan-su said Tuesday he would strengthen communication with residents and actively incorporate public feedback into provincial governance, speaking at the 56th anniversary ceremony of the Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement) and core leaders workshop at Sono Calm in Geoje.

The event, organized by the South Gyeongsang Province Saemaul Association, drew more than 370 attendees, including Park, provincial assembly Vice Speaker Shin Jong-cheol, Geoje Mayor Byeon Gwang-yong, association chairman Choi Man-hwan, and saemaul leaders from across the province.

In his address, Park thanked saemaul leaders for their volunteer work at disaster and wildfire response sites and at community events across the province. "Over the past four years, saemaul leaders have stepped up at disaster sites, wildfire responses, and large and small community events to serve residents," he said. "I am deeply grateful for the service and sacrifice that has sustained our communities."

Park said the province would place greater emphasis on listening to residents. "We will actively gather opinions from the field and from organizations across all sectors and reflect them in our policies," he said. He also pledged to develop industries that will drive South Gyeongsang Province's future and to pay closer attention to welfare policies for vulnerable groups, while promising provincial cooperation to expand the association's activities.

At the ceremony, 10 individuals who contributed to community development and the promotion of the Saemaul Undong received commendations from the governor. Including awards from the national and provincial association chairs, 21 people were honored in total. The core leaders workshop, which continues through Wednesday, features special lectures on community recovery and organizational leadership, as well as presentations of best practices from city and county chapters.

The South Gyeongsang Province Saemaul Association carries out projects to revitalize local communities — grounded in the saemaul spirit of diligence, self-reliance and cooperation — including environmental cleanup drives, carbon neutrality initiatives and support for vulnerable groups.