Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province: "Towards a Coexisting and Growing Gyeongnam, Bringing Hope to Korea"

"Let us all join forces to create a coexisting and growing Gyeongnam, making our Gyeongnam the hope of the Republic of Korea."

Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, said this during his New Year's address at the 2025 Gyeongsangnam-do New Year's Meeting held on the 10th at the Changwon Convention Center (CECO) Convention Hall.

Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, is delivering a New Year's address at the 2025 Gyeongsangnam-do New Year's Meeting. Photo by Lee Se-ryeong

Governor Park reflected, "Last year was the best year in the history of Gyeongnam," adding, "We achieved a trade surplus for six consecutive months, reached record highs in all economic indicators, opened the Aerospace Agency, were selected for various contests such as the Opportunity Development Special Zone and Glocal University, received top awards in various fields including jobs, exports, welfare, and disaster management, and earned the highest evaluation from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission."

He then expressed gratitude, saying, "I believe all these achievements are the result of the leaders of Gyeongnam and the support of the residents."

He stated, "We should welcome the new year with hope and excitement, but this year we face it with worries and concerns," and added, "However, just as our residents and citizens wisely overcame past crises in Korea, I believe we will overcome the current crisis with wisdom and prudence."

The 2025 Gyeongnam Province New Year's Meeting performance is underway. Photo by Lee Se-ryeong

He then presented and emphasized the new year's Gyeongnam provincial government slogan, "Coexistence and Growth, Hope of Gyeongnam."

Governor Park explained, "Our society is currently deeply divided and polarized, making it difficult to worry about the country's future and create hope," and said, "We chose this new year's government slogan with the intention that at least in Gyeongnam, we coexist, care for each other, and harmonize to develop the region and unite the country."

He added, "I am confident that if the leaders of Gyeongnam come together, the Republic of Korea can become a hope through a Gyeongnam that coexists and grows according to this slogan," and said, "I hope everyone will unite with one heart."

Furthermore, he said, "I will take the lead together with the leaders of Gyeongnam to overcome the national crisis and stand at the forefront of Gyeongnam's leap forward," and wished, "I hope all Gyeongnam residents receive many blessings in the new year and achieve all their wishes."

Attendees of the 2025 Gyeongnam Province New Year's Meeting are holding up hand signs with the New Year's Gyeongnam provincial government slogan, "Coexistence and Growth, Hopeful Gyeongnam." Photo by Lee Seryeong

This year's Gyeongsangnam-do New Year's Meeting was held without celebratory performances or toasts, reflecting the desire for national stability and mourning for the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane accident that occurred last year, and was filled only with New Year's addresses, congratulatory speeches, New Year's greetings, and the provincial government slogan performance.