Jeonnam Provincial Council Health, Welfare and Environment Committee Inspects Welfare Centers and Visits Leading Forestry Companies

The Health, Welfare, and Environment Committee of the Jeonnam Provincial Council visited welfare sites including the Jeonnam Disabled Comprehensive Welfare Center, Hwasun Wood Industry Complex, and Yeonggwang Disabled Welfare Town over two days starting on the 20th. Photo by Jeonnam Provincial Council

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] The Health, Welfare, and Environment Committee of the Jeonnam Provincial Council announced on the 22nd that it visited welfare sites including the Jeonnam Disabled Comprehensive Welfare Center, Hwasun Wood Industrial Complex, and Yeonggwang Disabled Welfare Town.

The schedule took place over two days, starting with a visit on the 20th. The proceedings included listening to the current operation status and plans of the welfare center from Seo Yong-nam, Secretary General of the Jeonnam Disabled Comprehensive Welfare Center, followed by a Q&A session with the standing committee members.

At the meeting, Assemblywoman Kim Mi-kyung (Justice Party, Proportional Representation) urged, “Please prioritize promoting the rights, rehabilitation, and independence of persons with disabilities.”

Assemblyman Kim Ho-jin (Democratic Party of Korea, Naju 1) said, “Metropolitan welfare centers should perform tasks that local welfare centers cannot,” and requested, “Please contribute to enhancing the capabilities of local welfare centers by training rehabilitation experts and supporting necessary personnel at metropolitan welfare centers.”

Afterwards, they visited Hu-in Co., Ltd., one of the eco-friendly wooden construction cooperatives in Hwasun County, to explore ways to revitalize the local forest industry for establishing a virtuous cycle system of forest resources related to achieving carbon neutrality, a core goal of the Health, Welfare, and Environment Committee.

The assembly members received explanations about wooden building materials such as plywood core CLT, which surpass concrete, and had the opportunity to touch them directly.

Assemblyman Kim Ho-jin said, “I thank the officials who provided this valuable opportunity, and based on this experience and expert opinions, I will work on measures such as mandating the use of wood in public building construction to revitalize the local forest industry.”

Chairman Choi Seon-guk requested, “I hope the metropolitan welfare centers, which serve as control towers by strengthening expertise and acting as channels to seek solutions through organic connections with city and county welfare centers, will build a dense welfare service network for developmentally disabled persons marginalized by COVID-19.”