Towards a Women and Family-Friendly Megacity... Bu-Ul-Gyeong Women's Policy Institutions Join Forces

On the 17th, the 'Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam Women's and Family Policy Agencies Joint Forum' was held at the Changwon Convention Center. [Image source: Gyeongsangnam-do]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] The Gyeongsangnam-do Women and Family Foundation held the 'Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Women and Family Policy Institutions Joint Forum' on the 17th at the Changwon Convention Center, together with the Busan Women and Family Development Institute and the Ulsan Women and Family Development Institute.

This forum was an opportunity to discover policies for creating a happy Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) region where women and families are not excluded from the megacity strategy and everyone can be happy together.

The forum was themed "Bu-Ul-Gyeong Megacity Transition and Women." It began with a keynote speech by Ha Kyung-jun, Head of Research Strategy at the Gyeongnam Research Institute, followed by presentations and discussions in the areas of economy, daily life, and cultural community.

Mr. Ha explained the necessity and basic concept of promoting the Bu-Ul-Gyeong megacity, along with specific implementation plans, and argued that "it is necessary to look at local industries and culture from a women's perspective to prevent the outflow of the female population in Bu-Ul-Gyeong."

Professor Choi Jin-sook of UNIST pointed out the absolute shortage of female human resources in her presentation on the economic community sector and emphasized that "policies involving women are necessary to build an economic community."

Senior Researcher Shim In-seon of the Gyeongnam Research Institute stated, "For the Bu-Ul-Gyeong living community, it is necessary to establish policies reflecting gender characteristics in areas such as education and care, health and welfare, transportation, disaster safety, food, and participation."

Ha Mi-young, Deputy Director of the BEXCO MICE Business Office, added, "To become a livable and happy city, urban branding through cultural urban regeneration is essential," and emphasized that "opportunities for women's participation should be expanded in the Bu-Ul-Gyeong cultural community, including the MICE industry."

Following this, a discussion was held led by Professor Moon Kyung-hee of Changwon National University as chair, with participants including Seo Young-ok, CEO of Fine Technology, Lee Eun-ji, Director of the Ulsan Childcare Support Center, and Professor Joo Yoo-shin of Youngsan University.

Min Mal-soon, CEO of the Gyeongnam Women and Family Foundation, said, "In a situation where the outflow of young female population is severe, promoting the megacity is very important to prevent overpopulation in the metropolitan area and enhance the competitiveness of local regions," and added, "We hope for much interest and participation from the residents of Gyeongnam so that a women- and family-friendly megacity can be created."