'National Unity' Yeonghonam Win-Win Development Forum, Inaugural General Meeting on the 20th in Daegu

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Amidst the government, local governments, and all political parties emphasizing the era's task of mutual development and national integration between Yeongnam and Honam, a private organization called the Yeongnam-Honam Mutual Development Forum, in which residents of the Yeongnam and Honam regions voluntarily participate to pursue harmony, mutual growth, and joint development, is being launched.

According to the Yeongnam-Honam Mutual Development Forum on the 11th, about 200 members from both regions will hold the inaugural general meeting on the 20th at the Central Convention in Buk-gu, Daegu Metropolitan City, to review agenda items such as the articles of association, organization, and major projects (draft), and finalize the composition of executives.

At the inaugural general meeting, guests including Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province; Kang Eun-hee, Superintendent of Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education; Lim Jong-sik, Superintendent of Gyeongbuk Office of Education; Joo Ho-young, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party; National Assembly member Yoon Sang-hyun; Jo Hyun-il, Mayor of Gyeongsan; lawyer Seok Dong-hyun; and Hyun Kyung-dae, former Senior Vice Chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council, are expected to attend.

Additionally, congratulatory video messages will be delivered by Kang Ki-jung, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City; Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province; Kim Kwan-young, Governor of Jeonbuk Province; Lee Jeong-seon, Superintendent of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education; Kim Seung-nam, National Assembly member and Chairman of the Jeonnam Provincial Party of the Democratic Party; Yoon Young-duk, National Assembly member and Acting Chairman of the Gwangju Metropolitan Party; Park Hong-ryul, Mayor of Mokpo; and Kim Byung-nae, Mayor of Nam-gu, Gwangju.

In particular, before and during the inaugural general meeting, celebratory performances showcasing Honam's arts and culture will be presented by Lee Jeong-im of the Gutgeori Fusion Nanta Performance Group and magician Choi Seung-hee.

Woo Jong-cheol, Preparatory Committee Chairman of the Yeongnam-Honam Mutual Development Forum, stated, “Since early this year, preparatory committee members from both regions have met several times to prepare a purely private exchange platform that excludes political achievements and partisanship as a foundation for mutual development between Yeongnam and Honam.” He added, “Currently, the forum has completed the inaugural meeting of its promoters, and after the inaugural general meeting, we will promote incorporation as a corporation to ensure smooth operation, morality, fairness, and financial soundness.”

He continued, “After establishing the corporation, we will build a cooperative system among the private sector, government, and politics to hold events such as Yeongnam-Honam village connection trekking, mutual exchange and sales exhibitions of local agricultural specialties, and cross-regional school trips for middle and high school students. Through regional balanced development forums, we will take the lead in achieving the goal of ‘A Better Republic of Korea through Yeongnam-Honam Mutual Development!’”