Governor Lee Jae-myung's New Year Address: "I Will Meticulously Complete Changes in Gyeonggi Province"
Suwon NewsUpdated 2019.12.30 06:36
Published 2019.12.30 05:56
Updated 2019.12.30 06:36
[New Year Address] I Will Meticulously Complete Changes in Gyeonggi Province.
Respected 13.6 million residents of Gyeonggi Province!
I hope the sun of the new year in the Year of the Rat will shine brightly upon all of you, bringing light and warmth.
The Gyeonggi provincial government under the seventh elected term is now entering its midway point. Over the past year and a half, Gyeonggi Province has done its utmost to keep its promises with the residents. We are confident that we have achieved considerable results.
We have laid the framework for 'New Gyeonggi, Fair World.' Now it is time to scrutinize every detail meticulously and increase completeness. This year, building on the achievements of past administration, I will examine more carefully and supplement insufficient areas to focus on improving the lives of residents.
I am well aware that change is not completed in a single moment. There are no quick fixes in administration either. I will examine more carefully and refine with greater sincerity to create many small changes. I promise that these small changes will accumulate to bring about significant change that all residents can feel.
First, I will dedicate myself to completing a fair society.
We cannot eradicate major corruption while turning a blind eye to minor corruption. Whether large or small, I will meticulously ensure that corruption finds no foothold in Gyeonggi Province.
In particular, I will more closely monitor real estate corruption such as subcontracting fraud in the construction industry, bid rigging, and paper companies that have deepened inequality and polarization.
Illegal private finance and crimes that violate people's livelihoods such as expiration date forgery will be strictly cracked down upon until they completely disappear.
The collection management unit, which is achieving a three-pronged effect of uncovering hidden tax sources, resolving welfare blind spots, and realizing tax justice, will be further expanded to realize protection of the weak and restraint of the strong.
Upon completing maintenance of streams and valleys, this summer I will return clean and pristine valleys to the residents of Gyeonggi Province.
I will not stop efforts to advance toward a society that respects labor. I will guarantee cultural enjoyment rights for non-regular workers and establish rest areas for mobile and field workers.
Second, I will make full preparations for a era of peace.
U.S.-North Korea relations and inter-Korean relations are not smooth. Many difficulties are anticipated on the path to peace and prosperity. However, we cannot sit idly by. Peace is directly linked to the survival rights of residents. The worse the situation, the more proactive efforts are needed to create peace.
I will actively work to reopen Kaesong tourism. By opening the doors of Kaesong that had been closed, I will untangle the complicated inter-Korean relations. I will open the path to peace for the Korean Peninsula amid rising tensions. I believe that Kaesong tourism will be the catalyst for reopening the Kaesong Industrial Complex, a symbol of peace economy.
Gyeonggi Province was designated as a North Korea support operator by the government in November last year. With the foundation laid to pursue independent inter-Korean exchange and cooperation projects, I will prepare meticulously.
I will also make efforts to spread consensus on peace with resident participation and transform the DMZ into a symbol of peace. Additionally, I will work to establish a peace economy foundation including the attraction of unified economic special zones.
Efforts for balanced development will continue. I will seamlessly promote the relocation of three public institutions to northern Gyeonggi and focus on raising the quality of life for residents in northern Gyeonggi through expansion of living SOC facilities.
Third, I will guarantee residents' welfare rights.
Expansion of welfare is a constitutional duty of the government. In today's age of stalled growth, welfare investment is the most useful means of invigorating the economy and inducing sustainable economic growth.
Gyeonggi Province's welfare policies are designed to contribute more directly to local economic revitalization by combining with local currency. In fact, it is being confirmed that local currency is helping alley commerce. I will meticulously search for high-value welfare policies with economic effects so that welfare becomes a driving force for economic development.
I will firmly establish Gyeonggi Province's differentiated tailored welfare programs by life cycle, such as the dental primary care system for elementary students, youth basic income, and free school uniforms expanded to high schools and alternative schools. I will realize more comprehensive universal welfare through youth transportation support and farmer basic income.
The newly established Youth Support Division will contribute to advancing youth rights and interests based on active policy participation by young people. The youth interview allowance to be paid to job-seeking youth will ease the burden on young people who have become the most vulnerable group in this era.
I will also continue efforts to spread social consensus on basic income, an inevitable system in the era of the fourth industrial revolution.
Fourth, I will establish a mutually beneficial economic cycle of virtuous circulation.
Economy is circulation. No matter how abundant resources are, if they do not circulate, the economy is dead. It is the same principle as when blood circulates to every corner of the body, only then there is vitality.
I will supply blood from the capillaries of our economy—small business owners, alley commerce, and traditional markets. The Market Commerce Promotion Institute, which opened at the end of last year, will dedicate itself to revitalizing local commerce.
I will supply blood from the capillaries of our economy—small business owners, alley commerce, and traditional markets. The Market Commerce Promotion Institute, which opened at the end of last year, will dedicate itself to revitalizing local commerce.
The local currency issuance scale this year is expected to be 537.8 billion won. By utilizing local currency big data and returning profits to residents, I will ensure that local currency circulates through every capillary of Gyeonggi Province to create a vibrant economy.
Through the 'Jobs Policy Market' developed with municipalities, I will create quality public jobs, and I will make utmost efforts to create jobs through attracting private enterprises and creating an environment conducive to startups.
By establishing a systematic prevention system against technology theft by large enterprises from small and medium-sized enterprises, I will strengthen intellectual property protection and nurture.
I will support localization of semiconductor industry components and materials and cultivate semiconductor industry talent to ensure seamless protection and nurturing of the industry. In particular, Gyeonggi Province will become a leader in guiding paradigm shifts in the economy through nurturing future new industries such as artificial intelligence.
Fifth, I will meticulously reform residents' living environment.
I will expand public rental housing to stabilize housing conditions and make more comfortable living possible through Gyeonggi Province's urban regeneration projects.
I will continue making efforts to reduce fine dust. I will simultaneously pursue multifaceted policies including reducing diesel vehicle emissions and supporting pollution prevention facility installation for small businesses to improve air quality.
Transportation is also an important factor affecting quality of life. The Gyeonggi Province-style bus semi-public operation system, which will provide fairer and better service through route bidding method, is beginning. I will proceed seamlessly with expansion of transportation infrastructure such as railroads and roads, and improvements in public transportation services.
Gyeonggi Province is expanding CCTV installation into neonatal care units as well as hospital operating rooms. I will continue to meticulously relieve concerns about medical accidents.
Respected 13.6 million residents of Gyeonggi Province!
Residents are the compass of Gyeonggi provincial government. Thus far, Gyeonggi Province has walked following the will of residents as sovereign people. Going forward, I will move ahead without hesitation in accordance with that will.
I wish all residents of Gyeonggi Province health and happiness throughout this year. Happy New Year.
On the morning of the new year in the Year of the Rat
Governor of Gyeonggi Province Lee Jae-myung
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