On New Year's Day at Pyeongtaek Port, Kim Dong-yeon says, "Hope this becomes a chance for the Korean economy to rebound, not fall"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon visited Pyeongtaek Port on the 1st to join the first export site of the new year.

On that afternoon, Governor Kim visited Pyeongtaek Port and encouraged the port workers, saying, "I came to express my gratitude to those who are working hard for the South Korean economy while watching the loading of the first import and export cargo of the new year."

Governor Kim assessed the current situation, stating, "The South Korean economy is currently facing comprehensive difficulties. Domestic demand is unstable, investment is decreasing, and the export growth rate is falling, all amid a very serious situation compounded by political instability. This year is a crucial turning point for whether the South Korean economy will decline or make a leap forward."

He continued, "For the South Korean economy to make a leap forward rather than decline, it is essential to change the framework of economic management that the government has led so far, including expanded fiscal spending to stimulate domestic demand and increase investment, proper industrial policies to expand exports, and a major transformation of the wealthy tax reduction policy. As the first step toward this, political instability must be promptly eliminated, and a major shift in economic policy must be achieved. I believe in the resilience of our economy and the potential of the South Korean people. We must contribute to creating an opportunity for the Korean economy to leap forward once again, not to decline. Let all citizens unite their strength toward that path," he emphasized.

Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province (center), is visiting Pyeongtaek Port on the 1st and receiving an explanation from port officials. Photo by Gyeonggi Province

He then shouted the slogan "South Korean Economy Fighting" together with the on-site workers to symbolize uniting efforts for the vitality of the South Korean economy.

Pyeongtaek Port is a trade port located in Poseung-eup, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi Province, and Songsamyeon, Dangjin-si, Chungnam Province. It opened as an international trade port in 1986 and was selected as a national strategic port in 1996, growing into a world-class port in the shortest period.

Operating a total of 64 berths, including 34 in Pyeongtaek and 30 in Dangjin, it handled 116 million tons of import and export cargo annually as of 2023. It ranks first in automobile cargo volume, accounting for 24.6% of all nationwide ports.

Gyeonggi Province is promoting the hydrogen complex district project to build an eco-friendly green port at Pyeongtaek Port.

Meanwhile, after finishing his visit to Pyeongtaek Port, Governor Kim plans to move to Jeollanam-do to visit Muan International Airport (at 16:30) and the Jeju Air passenger accident victims' joint memorial altar set up at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju (at 18:00) to pay tribute to the victims.