"No Festival Without Respect for Volunteers"... Choo Eunhee, Gumi City Council Member, Calls for Reallocation of One-time Budget

Calls for Comprehensive Reform of Volunteer Administration at the 286th Temporary Session of Gumi City Council

Choo Eunhee, a proportional representative member of the Gumi City Council from the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly raised the need for substantial improvement in the treatment of volunteers and the systematization of volunteer administration.

Chu Eunhee, the proportional representative member of the Democratic Party of Korea, delivering a 5-minute free speech.

During a five-minute free speech at the 1st plenary session of the 286th temporary meeting held on the 14th, Choo pointed out, "Gumi City relies on the efforts of volunteers for countless festivals and events throughout the year, but the management system is lacking and the compensation standards are inconsistent, leading to growing dissatisfaction on the ground."

In particular, she emphasized, "The repeated mobilization and unbalanced support for volunteers continue," and stressed that volunteers should be treated as 'partners' rather than 'manpower' through the establishment of an integrated volunteer management system and the development of fair compensation standards.

Choo also raised concerns about the inefficiency in budget usage.

She stated, "Over the past two years, Gumi City has spent about 220 million won on the production of one-time promotional items for festivals and events," and added, "During the same period, about 4,800 volunteers were deployed, and if this budget were used for the treatment of volunteers, it would enable practical additional support of about 40,000 won per person."

She continued, "Direct investment in volunteers, rather than unnecessary production of items, is the way to enhance the sustainability of civil society and the sense of community," and argued, "It is urgent to motivate and boost the morale of volunteers through budget readjustment."

Choo urged a shift in Gumi City's administrative perspective, saying, "A festival created together by citizens and a municipal administration that citizens take pride in must start with respecting volunteers."