"South Korea's Prosperity Today Thanks to Saemaeul Undong" ... 2,000 Gather in Mungyeong for Gyeongbuk Saemaeul Leaders Conference

Leaders who received awards at the Gyeongbuk Saemaeul Leaders Conference gathered in one place.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Koo Dae-sun] Gyeongbuk Province held the '2022 Gyeongbuk Saemaeul Leaders Conference' on the 9th at the indoor gymnasium of the Mungyeong Military Sports Unit, hosted by the Gyeongbuk Saemaeul Association (President Lee Jong-pyeong), with about 2,000 attendees including Saemaeul leaders from 23 cities and counties.

The event was organized to evaluate the achievements of the Saemaeul Movement over the past year and to strengthen the determination for the Saemaeul Movement to develop into a new form that aligns with the rapidly changing times, through harmony and communication among Saemaeul leaders.

Many Saemaeul leaders who contributed to the development of local communities through the revitalization of the Saemaeul Movement received awards on this day.

The government awards included the Saemaeul Medal awarded to Yang Hee-wan, president of the Uiseong-gun Saemaeul Leaders Council; the Saemaeul Citation awarded to Kang Seok-ja, president of the Yecheon-gun Saemaeul Women's Association, and Jang Chun-hwa, president of the Chilgok-gun Saemaeul Women's Association.

Additionally, the Presidential Citation was awarded to five people including Yoon Joon-hwan, president of the Cheongsong-gun Saemaeul Leaders Council; the Prime Minister's Citation to eight people including Kim Min-sung, director of the Gyeongbuk Saemaeul Association; and the Minister of the Interior and Safety Citation to five Saemaeul leaders including Eom Jae-wan of the Uljin-gun Buk-myeon Council.

Furthermore, the Gyeongbuk Saemaeul Grand Prize, awarded to Saemaeul leaders who made outstanding contributions to provincial development through the Saemaeul Movement, was given to 23 recipients including Kim Kyung-ran, president of the Pohang-si Yeonil-eup Saemaeul Women's Association.

In the comprehensive evaluation of Saemaeul organizations, the highest honors were awarded to Gyeongsan-si Saemaeul Association, Cheongdo-gun Saemaeul Association, Kimcheon-si Saemaeul Leaders Council, Kimcheon-si Saemaeul Women's Association, Workplace and Factory Saemaeul Movement Pohang-si Council, and Saemaeul Mun-go Goryeong-gun Branch.

Also, in the comprehensive evaluation of city and county Saemaeul Movement efforts over the year, Sangju-si and Uiseong-gun received grand prizes for outstanding achievements in strengthening Saemaeul leaders' capabilities, revitalizing the Saemaeul environment, special policies, and excellent case fields.

The highest awards went to Kimcheon-si, Mungyeong-si, Seongju-gun, and Cheongdo-gun, while the excellence awards were given to Andong-si, Gumi-si, Yeongju-si, Yecheon-gun, Goryeong-gun, and Chilgok-gun.

Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, stated, “The reason South Korea has become prosperous today is thanks to the Saemaeul Movement, and it was possible because of the Saemaeul leaders who devoted themselves to their communities and country for their children and future generations rather than themselves.” He added, “I hope the Saemaeul Movement becomes a movement for all of us so that together we can build a new Korea powered by Gyeongbuk.”