Lee Jae-myung: "There Should Be No Theft Out of Hunger. We Must Provide for Everyone"

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun Reporter] Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province visited the "Gyeonggi Food Free Corner" established to support those in emergency livelihood crisis due to COVID-19, urging generous support by stating, "There should be no theft out of hunger."

On the 4th, Governor Lee visited the Gwangmyeong City-run Gwangmyeong Food Market in Gwangmyeong-dong, Gwangmyeong City, which operates the "Gyeonggi Food Free Corner," to hear about its operations and review the usage process.

Present at the event were Gwangmyeong Mayor Park Seung-won, Member of Parliament Im O-gyeong, Gyeonggi Province Councilor Kim Young-jun, Chairman of Gyeonggi Province Social Welfare Council Kang Ki-tae, and Director of Gwangmyeong City-run Gwangmyeong Food Bank and Market Center Park Young-soon.

Governor Lee explained the motivation behind launching "Gyeonggi Food Free," stating: "I heard from the police that many people are getting caught stealing because they have nothing to eat. I posted about it on social media and asked for opinions on how to prevent this, and people said it would be good to just give to everyone who comes. If people are in a situation where they need to use this place, they are actually eligible for support. Even if there is some abuse, we should provide to those who come here, and we can verify if they come again." He added, "Some people are formally ineligible but actually need support, so this will have an effect of discovering such cases. The budget may be tight, but the province will take full responsibility in whatever way possible, so just give to everyone who comes."

The "Gyeonggi Food Free Corner" at the Gwangmyeong City-run Gwangmyeong Food Market, which has been operating since December 29 of last year, provides 15 types of food including instant rice, ramen, and canned tuna from the metropolitan food bank. To date, 32 people have used it.

The province operates the "Gyeonggi Food Free Corner" at three food markets located in Gwangmyeong, Seongnam City, and Pyeongtaek City. Food markets are facilities that receive donations of food and daily necessities from corporations and individuals and provide them to low-income vulnerable groups in risk of missing meals.

When residents of Gyeonggi Province in urgent need of food and daily necessities visit a food market business location, they are first provided with five types of donated items including instant bread, beverages, masks, and hygiene products.

Afterward, if visitors consent, a list is reported to the relevant eup, myeon, or dong administrative welfare center to provide additional welfare services.

This month, the province plans to select one welfare facility each—such as comprehensive, disability, or elderly welfare centers—in each of the 31 cities and counties and install and operate the "Gyeonggi Food Free Corner."

Additionally, for homeless people on the streets, the province will install "Gyeonggi Food Free Refrigerators" at two homeless facilities in Bucheon City and Uijeongbu City this month, providing rice cakes free of charge up to once per person per day until daily supplies are exhausted.

At five homeless facilities in Suwon City, Seongnam City, Anyang City, Ansan City, and Siheung City, meal vouchers are separately distributed to homeless people who have difficulty visiting facilities.

Meanwhile, Governor Lee Jae-myung posted a post titled "Rising COVID-Era Jean Valjeans... We await your suggestions" on social media in November of last year, seeking public opinion.

Governor Lee stated, "The 'Jean Valjean' who had no choice but to steal bread out of hunger is now becoming our neighbor. While no crime can be justified under any circumstances, we must prevent crimes committed out of hunger. That is what the state and society must do," expressing his determination to develop countermeasures.