Gyeongnam Residents' Day Ceremony ... "My Happy Home, Gyeongnam at the Center of the World"

The 41st Anniversary Ceremony of Gyeongnam Residents' Day was held on the afternoon of the 14th at a special stage set up in the plaza of the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office.

The ceremony, which began with performances by the Jinju Fortress Chwita Band and a percussion group, proceeded in the following order: ▲Recitation of the Residents' Charter ▲Screening of a video themed "Gyeongnam, My Happy Home" ▲Awards for Proud Residents ▲Thematic performances and shows ▲Commemorative concert.

The performance for the 41st Anniversary of Gyeongnam Residents' Day is taking place.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

The Residents' Charter was recited by a student who won the grand prize at the 2024 Korea Student Creativity Championship, a student who succeeded in building and launching the largest amateur rocket, the top winner of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's youth job project, a mother of ten children living in Uiryeong-gun, and the head of the Gyeongnam Pakistan Residents Association who also serves as vice president of the Korea Migrant Entrepreneurs Association.

At the awards ceremony, seven people received the Culture Award, and a total of eleven people, including distinguished volunteer families, residents who have moved away, farmers, and entrepreneurs, received the Proud Resident Award in various categories.

Afterwards, a performance was held in which 16 resident representatives, including elementary school siblings who donated 5 million won in allowance over four years, the governor, and the chairman of the provincial council, went on stage and lit LED lamps inscribed with "Opening the Era of Residents' Happiness Together," along with the words "Welfare," "Companionship," and "Hope."

At the 41st Anniversary Ceremony of Gyeongnam Residents' Day, representatives of the residents are reading the Residents' Charter.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

This year's Gyeongnam Residents' Day commemorative event was held over two days starting from the 13th.

During this period, in the park in front of the provincial office, there were a variety of events such as exhibitions and sales of specialty products and tourism company goods from 18 cities and counties, multicultural experiences, promotional zones for aerospace, experience programs, the Residents' Singing King contest with regional preliminaries, the Gyeongnam Golden Bell quiz, and a healing concert.

Gyeongnam Residents' Day was designated as October 14 every year through an ordinance enacted in 1983 to commemorate the first National Sports Festival held in Gyeongnam on October 14, 1982.

However, the ceremony was canceled in 1983 due to a bomb terror attack by North Korea at the Aung San Mausoleum, and no events were held afterwards. The day was completely abolished with the repeal of the ordinance in 1993.

Later, in the 8th popularly elected administration, Gyeongnam Province reestablished the Residents' Day ordinance in September last year, and the ceremony has been held again since then.

The 41st Anniversary Celebration of Gyeongnam Residents' Day was held at the special stage in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Office plaza.
Photo by Lee Seryoung

Gyeongnam Province considers 1984, when the first Residents' Day ceremony was held, as the inaugural year, and this year marks the 41st anniversary.

This year's ceremony was attended by Governor Park Wansu, Provincial Council Chairman Choi Hakbeom, heads and deputy heads of 18 cities and counties, officials from institutions and companies, media representatives, and about 1,000 residents.

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is delivering a commemorative speech at the 41st Gyeongnam Residents' Day ceremony. Photo by Lee Seryeong

Governor Park stated, "Gyeongnam Province, once the cradle of democracy and the driving force of Korea's industrialization, is now experiencing a second leap forward with the establishment of the K-defense industry, nuclear power plants, and the Aerospace Administration," adding, "These are remarkable achievements made possible by the passion and hard work of 3.3 million residents, and I believe they are the pride and honor of our people."

He continued, "This year, the slogan for Gyeongnam Residents' Day is 'Gyeongnam, My Happy Home,'" and said, "I will do my best to ensure that not only the older generation but also the youth born and raised here can feel that Gyeongnam is a happy home where they can nurture their dreams."

He also said, "As stated in the Gyeongnam Residents' Charter, I believe Gyeongnam can stand at the center of the world with pride, wisdom, and pioneering spirit as Gyeongnam residents," and added, "If everyone works together, Gyeongnam can become the best in Korea and stand at the center of the world."

Governor Park emphasized, "Park Wansu will work hard at the forefront," and added, "I am more determined than anyone to love Gyeongnam and do my best for it."