People-Centered Welfare: Gimcheon Leads the Way

"Field-Oriented Welfare" Stressed
Small-Scale Facility Improvement Project Confirmed for 2026
Bae Nakho: "We Will Become the Hub of Community Sharing"
Expansion of Customized Welfare in the Gimcheon Model
Gimcheon Welfare: Moving Beyond Formality to Substance

Gimcheon in North Gyeongsang Province has reached a new turning point in regional welfare. The Gimcheon Welfare Foundation (Chairman Bae Nakho) held its third board meeting for 2025 at Gimcheon City Hall on August 29 and finalized next year's welfare project plans and budget.

Nakho Bae, mayor of Gimcheon City, is discussing the realization of warm community welfare centered on people.

This board meeting is being recognized as more than a procedural review; it is seen as a concrete step toward realizing the vision of "warm community welfare centered on people."

◆ Emphasis on "Field-Oriented Welfare"... Small-Scale Facility Improvement Project Confirmed

The meeting was attended by 10 board members who reviewed and approved key agenda items such as the reappointment of executives (auditors), the 2026 revenue and expenditure budget, and project plans. Notably, starting in 2026, the foundation will focus on the "Small-Scale Facility Improvement Project," which involves replacing outdated equipment and repairing or renovating hazardous facilities in social welfare institutions.

This initiative reflects a commitment to enhancing the safety and convenience of welfare facility users by improving the physical environment. It is expected to be the first step in raising the "perceived quality" of local welfare services.

◆ Chairman Bae Nakho: "We Will Become the Hub of Community Sharing"

During the meeting, Chairman Bae Nakho stated, "The foundation's unique projects are providing practical help to citizens in need, and this is spreading a culture of sharing throughout the community." He emphasized, "We will continue to play a central role in regional integration and mutual growth through various welfare initiatives."

◆ Expansion of Customized Welfare in the Gimcheon Model

The Gimcheon Welfare Foundation is currently operating several projects directly related to citizens' daily lives, including the Gimcheon Model SOS Emergency Support Project, Hope Welfare Community Support, sponsorship matching, and nursing care support.

In particular, the "Gimcheon Model SOS Emergency Support," which proactively assists families in crisis, is regarded as a benchmark case nationwide and is recognized as a leading model of community-driven customized welfare.

Gimcheon Welfare: Moving Beyond Formality to Substance The decisions made at this board meeting are significant because they mark a shift from administrative budget reviews to creating a welfare environment that citizens can directly experience. The small-scale facility improvement project promoted by Gimcheon is expected to serve as a barometer for qualitative improvements in local welfare.

To address challenges such as an aging population, gaps in care, and a weakened social safety net, practical and tailored measures are essential. The latest decision by the Gimcheon Welfare Foundation will be recorded as an example of how local welfare policies should evolve.