Choo Mi-ae: "We Must First Find Those Unaware of Support... On-Site Social Welfare Is Essential"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae emphasized that it is the role of social welfare to proactively find people who do not even know about the available support and therefore cannot receive assistance. She also did not forget to express her gratitude to the social welfare workers on the frontlines.

At the commemorative ceremony for the 27th Social Welfare Day held on September 10 at Gyeonggi Hall of the Gyeonggi Economic Science Promotion Agency in Suwon Gwanggyo Techno Valley, Governor Choo stated, "You, the social welfare professionals, are the precious force that bridges the final gap between law and people, between administration and daily life. I am grateful to all of you who, even from behind the scenes, support the lives of countless individuals, never giving up even when the door seems closed, and reaching out once again."

Governor Choo mentioned the "Songpa Three Sisters Incident" in 2014 and the "Suwon Three Sisters Incident" in 2022, saying, "Although a system was established to find those who are left in the blind spots, the recurrence of similar tragedies means that systems alone are not enough. That is why the work done in the field is crucial for social welfare."

She added, "Social welfare is no longer an act of charity, but a rightful entitlement that must be guaranteed for everyone to live a dignified life. A system alone cannot read a person's facial expression, nor can computerized statistics identify an elderly person who has been skipping meals for several days."

She further stated, "Social welfare must reach those who have lost even the strength to ask for help, as well as those who do not even know that there is support available to them."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae is speaking at the '27th Social Welfare Day' ceremony held on the 10th at the Gyeonggi Hall of the Gyeonggi Economic Science Promotion Agency in Suwon Gwanggyo Technovalley. Photo by Gyeonggi Province

She also pledged support for social welfare workers. Governor Choo said, "It is the duty of both the central and local governments to ensure that those caring for others do not become exhausted or have to face dangerous situations alone. While you protect people, Gyeonggi Province will protect you."

The ceremony was hosted by Gyeonggi Province and organized by the Gyeonggi Social Welfare Council. It was held to honor the hard work of social welfare workers and volunteers and to reward 61 individuals who contributed to the development of community welfare.

This year's Gyeonggi Welfare Grand Prize was awarded to Lee Young-jae, Chairman of Gaonnarae Corporation. Since beginning work in the field of welfare for people with disabilities in 1987, Chairman Lee has dedicated 39 years to advancing the rights and welfare of people with disabilities and is recognized for promoting unity in the social welfare field and for strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Meanwhile, Social Welfare Day was established to commemorate September 7, the date when the National Basic Living Security Act was promulgated. Every year on Social Welfare Day, Gyeonggi Province holds a ceremony to encourage social welfare workers and honorees and to reaffirm the significance of social welfare.

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