Gangwon Province Selects 'Dongjugongje (Together in the Same Boat)' as 2026 Theme... "Full Commitment to Resident Empathy Administration"

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Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jintae) has expressed a strong determination to overcome challenges together with its residents and achieve a new leap forward in the Year of Byeongo (2026).

Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, is holding a press conference on the 5th. Provided by Gangwon Province

On January 5, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province announced that it had selected "Dongjugongje" (同舟共濟) as its 2026 New Year's theme. This idiom, which means "crossing the river together in the same boat," encapsulates the provincial administration's philosophy of moving forward in unity and cooperation with the residents, no matter the adversity.

This year's idiom was also chosen through a public contest among residents, as was done last year. A total of 122 people participated and proposed 107 idioms. After two rounds of rigorous screening, "Dongjugongje" was selected as the final choice, ranking first in both the working-level and committee evaluations.

During the contest process, many keywords such as "leap," "takeoff," "pioneering a new path," "future industries," "listening and communication," and "coexistence, mutual prosperity, and shared growth" were suggested, reflecting the strong aspirations of Gangwon residents for change and mutual growth in the province's 2026 administration.

The province has decided to further advance its field-oriented "Into the Lives of Residents" administration, which was promoted in 2025, by making "Resident Empathy Administration" the core operational direction for 2026.

This demonstrates a commitment to go beyond simple communication and implement policies that bring tangible changes to residents' daily lives. The plan is to realize an administration where residents are not just beneficiaries of policy but also active agents of change.

Governor Kim Jintae stated, "Dongjugongje, which means that the residents and the administration will work together, was selected as the idiom for 2026 through a public contest. In the new year, the direction of provincial administration will be Resident Empathy Administration, and based on policies that resonate with residents, we will build a global city for future industries."

Meanwhile, as his first official engagement of the new year, Governor Kim Jintae will visit "Chueokui Sarangbang" on the afternoon of the 5th to meet with senior citizens. At this event, he plans to directly explain the basic pension system and guide them on how to apply, thereby officially launching his "Empathy Administration" by addressing residents' needs on site.