Kim Dong-yeon Attends 'Christmas Lighting Ceremony' at Hwaseong Haenggung, Suwon on the 3rd: "Concerned About Winner-Takes-All Society"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon attended the Christmas tree lighting ceremony held at Hwaseong Haenggung in Suwon on the 3rd and pressed the lighting switch. Photo by Gyeonggi Provincial Government

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, stated ahead of Christmas (December 25) that "if we show a little more consideration for our neighbors in this hyper-competitive society, living together will not be difficult."

On the 3rd, Governor Kim made these remarks while attending the '2022 Gyeonggi-do Christmas Cultural Festival - Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony' held at Hwaseong Haenggung Square in Suwon, organized by the Gyeonggi-do Christian Federation.

The Gyeonggi-do Christmas Cultural Festival - Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is a joint cultural event commemorating Christmas, supported by the Gyeonggi-do cultural arts program. Attendees included Governor Kim Dong-yeon, Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun, National Assembly members Kim Young-jin, Park Kwang-on, Baek Hye-ryun, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly members Seo Seong-ran and Hwang Dae-ho, and Yoo Man-seok, President of the Gyeonggi-do Christian Federation.

Governor Kim said, "A British poet once said, 'Where there is peace, God is present.' If we put peace another way, it can be described as love, faith, and mutual trust. If there is faith and trust, that is where God is. But how is our society now?" he questioned.

He continued, "Recently, many young people lost their lives in Itaewon, three mothers in Suwon made extreme choices, and a 23-year-old female worker was caught in a machine and died at a bakery. Despite these situations, the political arena continues to fight endlessly. In this structure of infinite competition and winner-takes-all, it is truly worrisome whether the peace, love, faith, and trust the British poet spoke of exist," he lamented.

Governor Kim added, "I hope all residents of the province can be joyful, happy, peaceful, and content in their respective positions. If I may ask for one more thing, I hope everyone shows a little more consideration for those around them. If we pay just a little attention and care, inclusion, coexistence, and community living together will not be so difficult," he emphasized.

Furthermore, he said, "Starting with this Christmas tree lighting today, I hope the light of love, faith, and peace spreads and that love and consideration for neighbors overflow. I hope this becomes a moment where we pledge to work together for this," he added.

The Christmas tree will be installed at Hwaseong Haenggung Square in Suwon until January 15 of next year.