Gimcheon holds 2026 Social Welfare Day ceremony and 12th Happy Gimcheon Welfare Expo

Gimcheon City in North Gyeongsang Province held the "2026 Social Welfare Day Ceremony and 12th Happy Gimcheon Welfare Expo" at the auxiliary stadium of the city's comprehensive sports complex, the city announced Saturday.

The event was organized under the slogan "Sharing welfare, growing happiness, smiling together — Happy Gimcheon!" to raise public awareness and understanding of social welfare and foster exchange and unity among local welfare organizations.

This year, the Community Social Security Council — the hub of public-private cooperation — jointly hosted the event with the Gimcheon Social Workers Association and the Gimcheon Social Welfare Council, both of which connect frontline welfare workers and institutions, demonstrating a shared sense of community among the city's welfare stakeholders.

More than 50 local social welfare facilities, institutions and civic groups took part in the expo, drawing about 2,000 social welfare workers and residents.

The day opened at 10 a.m. with a performance by the Chunmoo cheering squad, followed by the Social Welfare Day ceremony. More than 40 people were recognized, including individuals commended for contributions to community welfare and winners of a slogan contest for the Happy Gimcheon Welfare Expo.

After the ceremony, participating organizations ran hands-on, counseling and promotional booths to introduce their welfare services.

A community festival called "Together Square" rounded out the day, featuring the Happy Gimcheon Market, a welfare-themed Golden Bell quiz, a welfare workers' song contest, participatory games and cultural performances — creating a space where residents and social welfare workers could enjoy themselves and connect.

"We will continue to listen to the voices of frontline welfare workers and residents, and work closely with local welfare organizations to build a Gimcheon where everyone is happy and no neighbor is left behind," Gimcheon Mayor Bae Nak-ho said.