Jaebudaegu Gyeongbuk Provincial Residents' Association Donates 100 Million Won for Low Birth Rate; Bereaved Families of Fallen Soldiers and Widows' Association Also Donate 10 Million Won Each

The Daegu-Gyeongbuk Residents Association in Busan announced on the 22nd that it has donated 100 million KRW to support the war against low birth rates led by Gyeongsangbuk-do and to spread the nationwide donation campaign for overcoming low birth rates.

The donation ceremony, held at the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Government on the 19th, was attended by Lee Cheolwoo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do; Woo Bangwoo, President of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Residents Association in Busan; Lee Yunhee, Senior Vice President; Jeong Seoksu, Secretary-General; and Son Byeongil, Secretary-General of the Gyeongbuk Community Chest of Korea.

Jae Budae Gyeongbuk City and Province Residents Association Chairman Woo Bangwoo (center) is posing for a commemorative photo with Lee Cheolwoo, Governor of Gyeongbuk (right), and Son Byungil, Secretary General of the Gyeongbuk Community Chest of Korea, after donating 100 million won to overcome low birth rates.

This donation by the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Residents Association in Busan, which has always actively worked for regional development and love for their hometown, was made in recognition that the issue of low birth rates is a serious crisis threatening not only the region but the very existence of the nation. The donation aims to actively support Gyeongsangbuk-do's efforts to overcome low birth rates.

The Daegu-Gyeongbuk Residents Association in Busan was founded in May 2002 by people from Daegu and Gyeongbuk living in Busan. Currently, 1.3 million members are engaged in various volunteer and sharing activities to promote exchanges and cooperation between Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and Busan, as well as to contribute to the development of their hometowns.

In particular, since 2019, the association has continuously donated to the "Hometown Love, Gyeongbuk Love Sharing Movement," and during the COVID-19 pandemic, it provided significant support to underprivileged groups in the Gyeongbuk region, helping marginalized neighbors and contributing to the development of their hometown.

In 2022, the association donated 50 million KRW for the swift recovery from the Uljin wildfire and to support affected residents, and 100 million KRW to Pohang and Gyeongju, which were damaged by Typhoon Hinnamnor. The association has always taken the lead in meaningful sharing and action whenever their hometown neighbors faced difficulties.

Additionally, members have participated every year in the Hometown Love Donation Program, implemented in 2023, actively contributing to the local economy and the revitalization of the hometown donation system.

Woo Bangwoo, President of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Residents Association in Busan, said, "All our members will become strong supporters of Gyeongsangbuk-do to overcome the low birth rate crisis in Korea," and added, "We will continue to do our best to support all efforts for the development of the region and our hometown, including overcoming low birth rates."

Lee Cheolwoo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, said, "I sincerely express my respect and gratitude to President Woo Bangwoo and all members of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Residents Association in Busan for donating to overcome low birth rates today. We will make the best use of this precious donation to solve the urgent issue of low birth rates."

Governor Lee added, "I will deeply remember the great spirit of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Residents Association in Busan, who always show warm sharing and consideration whenever our hometown is in trouble, and I will strive to make Gyeongsangbuk-do the best in Korea once again."

Lee Cheolwoo, Governor of Gyeongbuk, is speaking at the low birthrate countermeasure inspection meeting.

On the 22nd, members of the Gyeongbuk Branch of the Korean War Bereaved Families Association and the Korean War Widows Association delivered a donation of 10.18 million KRW (5.68 million from the Bereaved Families Association and 4.5 million from the Widows Association) to Gyeongsangbuk-do through the Gyeongbuk Community Chest of Korea to be used in the fight against low birth rates threatening the survival of local communities.

Choi Haeam, head of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Branch of the Korean War Bereaved Families Association, and Lee Soonhwa, head of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Branch of the Korean War Widows Association, said, "We are happy to participate in such a meaningful cause with donations collected with one heart by our members. We hope that the small sincerity of our members will help overcome the crisis of local extinction due to low birth rates and contribute, even a little, to making Gyeongbuk a better place to raise children."

Lee Cheolwoo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, said, "This donation is even more meaningful because it comes from those who have led their families and raised their children with dedication, overcoming all adversity and hardship in place of fathers and husbands who sacrificed for the country. With today's donation, I will do my utmost to protect the future of Korea and Gyeongbuk, which was built on the sacrifices of our national heroes who died in the line of duty."

The Korean War Bereaved Families Association and the Korean War Widows Association, founded in 1963, have, for the past 60 years, enhanced national spirit and protected liberal democracy through various activities. They have strived to establish themselves as respected veterans' organizations through patriotic activities, donations, sharing, and volunteer work.