Chu Mi-ae Vows to Build Gyeonggi Based on Spirit of Forebears, with Fairness, Innovation, and Inclusiveness

Gyeonggi Province Governor Chu Mi-ae marked the 81st Liberation Day by honoring the sacrifice and dedication of the nation's forebears, declaring her commitment to shaping Gyeonggi's future based on the values of fairness, innovation, and inclusiveness.

In her Liberation Day address on the 15th, Governor Chu stated, "The light of liberation that illuminated every corner of this land 81 years ago did not come of its own accord." She stressed, "It was the result of the blood and sweat of patriotic martyrs and independence activists who gave everything for the restoration of national sovereignty and self-reliance."

She went on to say, "The freedom and peace we enjoy today, as well as our hope for a better future, are possible because Korea has been safeguarded by those who came before us." She expressed her respect and gratitude, on behalf of the 14.2 million people of Gyeonggi Province, to the independence patriots and their families.

Governor Chu particularly highlighted that Gyeonggi Province was a central location of the independence movement. By introducing figures such as Haegong Shin Ik-hee from Gwangju, Lee Seok-young from Namyangju, Kim Kyushik from Yangju, and Yun Ki-seop from Paju, she declared, "Not a single independence activist will be left forgotten by history."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae is speaking at the '81st Liberation Day' commemorative event held on the 15th at the Gyeonggi Arts Center. Photo by Gyeonggi Province

She also expressed her intention to continue systematically discovering independence activists whose contributions have been overlooked due to a lack of evidence or descendants' unawareness, promising to uphold historical justice through proper recognition and evaluation.

She identified fairness, innovation, and inclusiveness as the core values to be embraced in inheriting the spirit of liberation.

Regarding fairness, Governor Chu stated, "Devotion must be properly remembered, and wrongs should be clearly addressed," adding, "I will build a fair Gyeonggi Province where privileges and shortcuts do not prevail, and people who live honestly are never at a disadvantage."

On innovation, she referred to the province's current financial challenges, but emphasized, "Difficult circumstances cannot be an excuse for inaction." She continued, "We must economize and cut where possible, but we will not give up on what must be done." She pledged to continue investing in the lives of residents and in future generations, even amidst fiscal crisis.

With regard to inclusiveness, she assessed the independence movement as a history of unity that transcended gender, generation, region, class, religion, and ideology. "True inclusiveness is about acknowledging our differences and seeking solutions together with more people," she said, vowing to make Gyeonggi Province a place where the south and north, cities and rural areas, generations and social classes share opportunities together.

Governor Chu concluded, "With fairness, we will establish principles; with innovation, open the future; and with inclusiveness, gather strength." She promised, "Just as our predecessors have passed down today to us, we will pass on a better tomorrow to the next generation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.