Gyeonggi-do Public-Private Cooperation Committee Members and Civic Group Representatives Meet with Kim Dong-yeon: "Expecting a Rebellion from Below"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is taking a commemorative photo with members of the Gyeonggi Province Public-Private Cooperation Committee and representatives of the Gyeonggi Citizens' Civil Society Coalition at Dodamso on the 9th. Photo by Gyeonggi Provincial Government

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, actively urged a 'bottom-up rebellion' during a meeting with Gyeonggi Province's private-public cooperation committee members and representatives of civil society organizations.

On the 9th, Governor Kim held a luncheon meeting with members of the Gyeonggi Province Private-Public Cooperation Committee and representatives of civil society organizations at Dodamso (the former Gyeonggi Governor's official residence) and stated, "The term of the Private-Public Cooperation Committee expires in January next year, and the 8th elected administration will carry out its work more sincerely and actively than the 7th."

He continued, "I say that if Gyeonggi Province changes, the Republic of Korea changes. I want to make Gyeonggi Province a somewhat different region from the current national or state administration," adding, "I included these things in next year's budget, and I intend to raise voices against what is going wrong now and demonstrate through policies and actions."

In particular, he said, "Those who supported me during the presidential election gave me a name. It is 'Abante,' meaning a group that initiates a rebellion from below," and added, "I hope you understand that this term contains the power and voice of our private-public cooperation, awakened citizens, and the willingness to work together with the Private-Public Cooperation Committee and civic groups."

Choi Soon-young, Co-Vice Chair of the Private-Public Cooperation Committee, said, "The committee is in the final stage of its 4-year term. Although there were many difficulties at first, I hope Governor Kim Dong-yeon will play a role in stabilizing it," and added, "I believe that if Gyeonggi Province changes, the entire country will change, and I hope that local autonomy unique to Gyeonggi Province will be realized, not just focusing on the central government."

Song Seong-young, Co-Representative of the Gyeonggi Civil Society Organizations Solidarity, promised, "Since the Cooperation Committee must start anew in January next year, I hope communication will be smooth, and we will assist civil society to create a foundation to work together according to the policy agreement."

The Gyeonggi Province Private-Public Cooperation Committee plays a role in deliberating and coordinating the establishment, implementation, evaluation, and institutional improvement of private-public cooperation policies. It consists of 30 members: 22 appointed and 8 ex officio. The chairperson is the governor, and the co-vice chairpersons are Deputy Governor Yeom Tae-young and Choi Soon-young.

The Gyeonggi Civil Society Organizations Solidarity was launched in 2005 and includes 18 organizations within the province. It engages in activities to promote democratic civic education and revitalize civil society.

During his candidacy for governor in May, Governor Kim signed a policy agreement with the Gyeonggi Civil Society Organizations Solidarity, promising to introduce a comprehensive cooperation system in the 8th elected administration, climate crisis policies, expansion of public childcare facilities, measures for single-person isolated households, and cultural policies such as basic income for artists.