Jeonnam Province Marks 'World Citizens Day'... Efforts to Build an Inclusive Society

Joint Commemorative Event by Gwangju Immigration Office and Yeongam County

Scene from the World Citizens Day commemorative event. Provided by Jeonnam Province

On May 24, Jeonnam Province, in cooperation with the Gwangju Immigration Office and Yeongam County, held the 18th World Citizens Day commemorative ceremony at the Samho General Culture and Sports Center in Yeongam. The event reaffirmed the value of a society where people live together with understanding and respect.

World Citizens Day is a statutory commemorative day designated as May 20 every year, in accordance with the Act on the Treatment of Foreigners Residing in Korea, to foster a society where Koreans and foreigners live together. The week including this day is observed as 'World Citizens Week.'

This year, for the first time, Jeonnam Province and the Gwangju Immigration Office co-hosted the commemorative ceremony. The event was held in Yeongam, where the largest number of foreign residents in the Jeonnam region reside, adding significance to the occasion.

Under the slogan "Welcome Today, Together Tomorrow," the event, which highlighted the value of a society that lives together with foreigners, began with a pre-ceremony performance by the Provincial Gugak Orchestra. It continued with the presentation of awards to distinguished individuals, commemorative speeches, a nationality certificate ceremony, a welcoming event for Jeonnam residents, and congratulatory performances.

In particular, a symbolic performance in which 'passports' and 'resident registration cards' were presented represented the welcoming of foreign residents as true 'Jeonnam residents,' and was met with great enthusiasm.