Kim Dong-yeon: "Change in Awareness, New Culture Will Resolve Childcare Issues"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon expressed his resolve to address the population issue by "viewing it as the work of the entire provincial administration, not just a specific department."

In particular, he pledged that Gyeonggi Province will take the lead on childcare issues.

According to Governor Kim's SNS on the 14th, he stated, "Last July 11th was World Population Day. The population issue is not something to be left to a specific department, but rather something the entire provincial administration should address," and added, "I will make efforts to create Gyeonggi Province where people have more opportunities and more equal opportunities so there is no anxiety about the future."

He continued, "I believe what is just as important as these efforts is 'change in awareness' or 'new culture,'" and said, "We are also exploring ways to ensure that employees returning from maternity leave do not face disadvantages, but rather can benefit within the guidelines," raising the issue of childcare concerns.

Recalling his meeting with participants of 'Gyeonggi-do Dads Hi!', a gathering of fathers engaged in childcare, Governor Kim stated, "If the culture of concentrating childcare burdens on women remains unchanged, no policy will be effective," and emphasized, "Gyeonggi Province will take the lead in creating various changes in awareness."

The following is the full text of Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon's SNS post.

<Gyeonggi Province Will Lead in Change of Awareness>
July 11th was World Population Day. Following my participation in World Population Day events, I participated in a Gyeonggi Province population policy forum today.
The population issue is not something to be left to a specific department, but rather something the entire provincial administration should address. Additionally, I will make efforts to create Gyeonggi Province where people have more opportunities and more equal opportunities so there is no anxiety about the future.
I believe that what is just as important as these efforts is 'change in awareness' or 'new culture'.
Whenever I have time these days, I visit and meet with provincial government employees working in various offices. Each time, I try to offer special encouragement to employees preparing for maternity leave. We are also exploring ways to ensure that employees returning from maternity leave do not face disadvantages, but rather can benefit within the guidelines.
Change in awareness is needed not only in the workplace but also in the home. At the World Population Day event, I also met with participants in the 'Gyeonggi-do Dads Hi!' program, a gathering of fathers engaged in childcare. If the culture of concentrating childcare burdens on women remains unchanged, no policy will be effective.
It is natural for the provincial administration to do its best on population policy. Furthermore, Gyeonggi Province will take the lead in efforts to create various changes in awareness.