Dongyeon Kim at Gyeonggi Women’s Festival: "There Are Still Many Glass Ceilings to Break"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dongyeon Kim stated, "Gyeonggi Province has implemented several women's policies for the first time in the country as part of efforts to break the glass ceiling," and added, "We will continue to work together with women leaders in Gyeonggi Province."

In his congratulatory address at the 40th Gyeonggi Women’s Festival held at the Grand Theater of the Gyeonggi Arts Center on the 26th, Governor Kim said, "When I began my term, I promised to do my best to increase the participation of women in social and economic activities and to break the glass ceiling in our society, and I have put this into practice starting with the Gyeonggi provincial government." He introduced, "Compared to three years ago, the number of female officials at the director-general level in Gyeonggi Province has doubled, and the number of female executives at the division head level has increased by 64%."

He continued, "The year before last, for the first time, we held an open recruitment for the head of the Institute of Health and Environment, and a female director was selected through fierce competition," and added, "Recently, for the first time in Gyeonggi Province, a female chief secretary was appointed."

He also said, "Fortunately, several women's policies that Gyeonggi Province implemented for the first time in the country have been included in the new government's presidential pledges," and added, "I have always promoted the slogan, 'When Gyeonggi changes, Korea changes.' I am very pleased to see such cases emerging in women's policies."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dongyeon Kim is attending the 40th Gyeonggi Women’s Festival on the 26th and taking a commemorative photo with the awardees. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

However, Governor Kim also emphasized, "There are still too many glass ceilings and invisible forms of discrimination that must be broken," and pledged, "Going forward, I will do my utmost together with the Council of Women's Organizations and women leaders in Gyeonggi Province so that not only Gyeonggi but also the entire nation can change."

In her commemorative address, Lee Geumja, President of the Gyeonggi Council of Women’s Organizations, stressed, "Without the participation of women, who make up half of the population of Korea and half of the population of Gyeonggi Province, no change or progress can be completed," and emphasized, "Women’s voices are now essential, not optional, and we must expand women’s participation in all areas."

The Gyeonggi Women’s Festival, hosted annually by the Gyeonggi Council of Women’s Organizations, is held to encourage women in the province who have worked for the promotion of women’s rights and the development of the local community, and to provide a space for unity.

At the event, Governor Dongyeon Kim, his spouse Jung Wooyoung, who is honorary president of the Gyeonggi Council of Women’s Organizations, Lee Geumja, president of the Council, as well as representatives of women’s organizations, Kim Jinkyung, chairperson of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, other provincial council members, Shin Gyeyong, mayor of Gwacheon, Lee Jaejeong, president of the Gyeonggi branch of the Korean Red Cross, heads of related organizations, and spouses of mayors and county governors attended.