Naju City Hosts Academy Inviting Former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] On the 5th, Naju City, Jeollanam-do, held the "1st Bigger Naju Academy" by inviting former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik as a lecturer at the Korea Rural Community Corporation Art Hall.

According to the city on the 6th, the "Bigger Naju Academy" is a new policy special lecture of the 8th local government term that expanded and reorganized the existing demand academy, which was for city hall employees, to allow any citizen to participate.

About 350 people attended the lecture hall, including Mayor Yoon Byung-tae, Vice President Kang Young-hak of the Korea Rural Community Corporation, Vice Mayor Kang Young-gu, city hall officials, students from Dongshin University, public institution executives, and citizens.

Former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik introduced the lecture, saying, "Rather than specialized knowledge in a particular field, I prepared a lecture that anyone can easily understand and empathize with," and added, "I hope this will be an opportunity to think together about the direction that South Korea and our society should take."

Under the theme of "A Warm and Healthy Republic of Korea," he diagnosed domestic and international problems underlying South Korea's entry into an advanced country society and proposed directions and visions for our society to move forward.

Former Prime Minister Kim said, "South Korea is a country unprecedented in the world that has successfully achieved industrialization and democratization in a short period," diagnosing domestic issues such as excessive competition, side effects of compressed growth like materialism, immature conflict resolution culture, rapid aging, and worsening low birthrate.

He then pointed out external problems such as "dependence on overseas food and energy," "North Korean nuclear threats and US-China hegemony conflicts," "weakening export conditions," and "high dependence on large corporations and flagship products."

Former Prime Minister Kim proposed key elements and solutions to determine South Korea's future, including "securing strong security and national competitiveness," "social integration and political advancement," "breaking regulations and proactive administration for creativity and innovation," "measures for low birthrate and aging," and "social solidarity policies to resolve polarization."

Additionally, as conditions for realizing a healthy and warm society, he emphasized eliminating various pathological phenomena in our society, respecting life and family, a society free from addiction, and improving public awareness.

In conclusion, former Prime Minister Kim said, "Not only economic growth but also having a healthy and mature national consciousness in the mental aspect is the desirable direction for a better Naju and a warm and healthy Republic of Korea."

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, "I thank former Prime Minister Kim for taking the precious time to be the first lecturer of the academy despite his busy schedule," and added, "I hope the academy will become a place for communication and information exchange where public officials, public institution executives, students, and all citizens can enhance their capabilities in a rapidly changing society."

Meanwhile, the city plans to hold the 2nd Bigger Naju Academy on the 12th at the city hall's main conference room by inviting former Chairman Kim Byung-won of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation.

Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong baekok@asiae.co.kr