Governor Lee Jae-myeong: "Policies that emerge from the field are more efficient than those made at a desk"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Noh-hun] Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myeong held a discussion meeting with multicultural families and family support center officials from the Hwaseong region, emphasizing the importance of on-site administration while urging them to actively propose policies that reflect residents' opinions and voices.

At the discussion meeting held on the 21st at Hwaseong Songrin Community Center, Governor Lee stated, "Policies that emerge from the field are far more efficient than those made at a desk," and requested, "I hope you will make efforts so that the thoughts of those working hard in the field can be reflected in policy."
The discussion was conducted with the attendance of about 10 multicultural and family support-related officials from the Hwaseong region, including Hwaseong Mayor Seo Chul-mo, National Assembly Member Song Ok-ju, Hwaseong Family Support Center Director Yu Hee, Hwaseong Multicultural Family Support Center Director Lee Hyun-joo, and Banan Mansei Market Merchant Association President Lee Hyo-jeong.
Governor Lee said, "With many multicultural families and many migrants, I hope that a culture that recognizes differences and acknowledges that they are not wrong will take root, but it seems difficult at this point," and continued, "I will ensure that Gyeonggi Province actively supports and pays attention," before beginning substantive communication.

First, at the discussion meeting today, requests for "support for constructing a family center in Hwaseong" were made.
Residents requested that provincial funds be provided to build a family center in Hwaseong region where many multicultural families reside, equipped with multicultural and healthy family support functions, shared childcare spaces, a small library, and multi-purpose communication spaces.
In response, Governor Lee said he would "proceed in the direction of active support."
Opinions were also actively raised regarding the necessity of education targeting multicultural family parents.
Hwaseong Multicultural Family Support Center Director Lee Hyun-joo stated, "Asian migrants are using childcare methods from the 1970s in our country, which is causing many misunderstandings regarding corporal punishment and child abuse," and added, "I think by providing parent education for multicultural families, helping them understand unfamiliar aspects such as cultural differences and human rights, they could adapt better to Korean society."
In response, Governor Lee said, "In places like Europe, the United States, and Canada, there are many cases where our citizens are taken to police stations while disciplining their children," and continued, "Since this is a reasonable proposal, I will take it into consideration in provincial policy."

In addition, at the discussion meeting today, various discussions on multicultural family issues were held, including ways to establish a system so that children of multicultural families can learn not only the languages of their home countries and Korea but also culture and history.