Wando-gun Successfully Hosts the 50th County Residents' Day Celebration Event

Chairman Kim Bong-jin and Director Ji Wang-sik Receive the Citizen's Award

Wando County held the 50th County Residents' Day commemorative event on May 31 at the Wando Culture and Arts Center. (Photo by Wando County)

[Wando＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyungpil] Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Shin Woo-cheol) announced that it held the 50th Citizens' Day commemorative event this year on the 31st at the Wando Culture and Arts Center.

This year's commemorative event was held on a reduced scale to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The event featured cellist Kim Ha-eun's cello performance, poetry recitation, a commemorative video screening capturing Wando's past, present, and future, and the awarding ceremony for the Wando Citizens' Award and honorary citizen certificates.

Governor Shin Woo-cheol expressed in his commemorative speech, "The progress our county has made, and the smooth advancement of future industries such as the marine healing industry, bio-industry, and the construction of a marine tourism hub city, are all thanks to the great interest and support of our citizens and hometown supporters," conveying his gratitude.

He added, "In particular, achievements such as attracting the National Subtropical Arboretum, upgrading the Wando-Gohung Coastal Tourism Road to a national highway, hosting the 2023 Jeollanam-do Sports Competition, and being selected as the host for the 2024 Jeollanam-do Sports Festival are valuable fruits we have all cultivated together. We will lead these projects without setbacks to accelerate regional development."

This year's Citizens' Award in the industry and economy sector was awarded to Chairman Kim Bong-jin of Woowa Brothers Corp., and in the education and culture sector to Director Ji Wang-sik of Cheonghaejin Traditional Korean Calligraphy Research Institute.

Chairman Kim Bong-jin, originally from Gu-do, Soan-myeon, founded Baedal Minjok in 2010 and achieved a success story as a representative entrepreneur of Korea.

Notably, he became an official member of "The Giving Pledge," a global philanthropic club requiring members to have assets exceeding one billion dollars and to donate more than half, thereby elevating pride as a Wando native and enhancing Wando's prestige.

Director Ji Wang-sik, from Cheongsan-myeon, lived a life devoted to calligraphy, donating the most calligraphy works officially recorded by the Korea Records Institute, and was recognized for contributions to local education and cultural development by receiving the Korea Person Award and the Korean Calligraphy Excellence Artist Award.

Honorary citizens were selected as former Wando Office of Education Superintendent Kim Myung-sik, Chairman Jung Han-young of Han Young E&C, CEO Oh Jong-taek of Daesan C&D Co., Ltd., and Professor Kang Bong-ryong of Mokpo National University.

Superintendent Kim Myung-sik was dedicated to the development of local education, Chairman Jung Han-young was recognized for contributions to regional industrial development including overseas market expansion as a recipient of the Jangbogo Hansang Award.

CEO Oh Jong-taek received the honorary citizen certificate for revitalizing local tourism through operating the Haesin filming set, and Professor Kang Bong-ryong was honored for leading the Jangbogo legacy project.