Low Birth Rate, Suicide Rate, and Elderly Poverty Highlighted...
"Happiness Begins in Local Communities"
Park Junghyun, Governor of Buyeo County in South Chungcheong Province, urged the prompt enactment of the National Gross Happiness Promotion Act, stating, "It is time to move from an era of growth to an era of quality of life."
On July 15, at a forum held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the enactment of the National Gross Happiness Promotion Act for the realization of a basic society, Governor Park argued, "For the Republic of Korea, which has become a successful nation, to move toward becoming a truly happy country, the standard for national governance must shift from economic growth to quality of life."
He continued, "The shocking statistics? a birth rate of 0.75, the highest suicide rate among OECD countries, and an elderly poverty rate three times the OECD average? are warnings that economic growth alone can no longer guarantee the well-being of our people," emphasizing, "Now, a major transition to a 'basic society' in which the state takes responsibility for the basic conditions of life is necessary."
He went on to say, "True happiness policies must be the state's response for those who cannot even enjoy a basic standard of living, rather than the satisfaction of those already living stable lives," adding, "The National Gross Happiness Promotion Act should serve as the first foundation for institutionalizing a fair starting line and the philosophy of a basic society."
He particularly stressed, "Happiness begins in local communities, and life is lived in local communities," and asserted, "It is urgent to establish an institutional foundation in which both central and local governments share responsibility."
Although Buyeo County and some other local governments have independently pursued the development of happiness indices, happiness surveys, and policy implementation, Governor Park described these efforts as "lonely autonomy without legal support," and stated, "The experiments of local governments must be expanded into a national strategy."
This forum marked the starting point for a policy transformation that places national gross happiness at its core, focusing on the development of a feasible policy roadmap and the establishment of a collaborative foundation among various stakeholders.
If the National Gross Happiness Promotion Act is enacted, it is expected to accelerate the realization of a 'happy nation' led by local governments by establishing an institutional framework for ▲ the formulation of statutory plans and budget allocation ▲ the design of region-specific happiness policies ▲ the development and measurement of happiness indices ▲ and the conduct of happiness surveys.
Governor Park emphasized, "Now is the time to move toward a society that values inclusion over competition and quality of life over growth," adding, "The National Gross Happiness Promotion Act is not a choice, but a historical responsibility of the state and a promise to the people."
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