Kim Dong-yeon: "Welfare is a Right, Not Charity—Please Call the Hotline Number"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hoon] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon announced the creation of a 'hotline' number in response to the recent Suwon three-mother case and expressed his conviction that "welfare is a right, not charity."

Governor Kim Dong-yeon stated on social media on the 25th: "First, I will create a 'hotline.' I sincerely urge those truly struggling at life's dead end to contact us. Please reach out via the hotline number (010-4419-7722)."

He continued: "In fact, there is already a '120 Gyeonggi-do Call Center' where residents can receive counseling on any matter. It's a number you can simply dial as 120. By the time after Chuseok, I will build a system to this number that carefully supports those in circumstances similar to this Suwon three-mother case. Until then, please contact the 'hotline' number above," explaining the background for creating the hotline number.

Governor Kim stated: "During my difficult times, I too felt despair, believing I was at a dead end in life. That is why I speak more earnestly. Welfare is a right, not charity," and urged active contact.

Below is the full text of Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon's SNS statement.

<Welfare is a Right, Not Charity>
I posted a message after hearing the sad news of the Suwon three-mother case, then deleted it. I tried to express my profound sorrow in words, but I thought—what use is the stereotypical, formulaic condolence that everyone offers when such incidents occur?
I am deeply ashamed and sorry.
Though it came from the heart, I am rewriting this with the thought that concrete commitments about what we will do are needed, not just emotion.
First, I will create a 'hotline.' I sincerely urge those truly struggling at life's dead end to reach out. Please contact the hotline number (010-4419-7722). Calls and text messages are both welcome. While I cannot directly respond, our specially designated staff will do their utmost to care for you.
In fact, there is already a '120 Gyeonggi-do Call Center' where residents can receive counseling on any matter. It's a number you can simply dial as 120. By the time after Chuseok, I will build a system to this number that carefully supports those in circumstances similar to this Suwon three-mother case. Until then, please contact the 'hotline' number above.
The problem of welfare blind spots cannot be solved by public efforts alone. It requires community participation. You need not be directly involved. Should anyone become aware of someone in a desperate situation in their vicinity, please contact the 'hotline' above or dial 120. We will provide appropriate rewards to those who lead the way in addressing our social problems.
We will also expand the existing 'Honorary Social Welfare Official System' to provide greater incentives. We ask for the active participation of churches, temples, pharmacies, real estate agencies, and neighborhood shops, which have relatively frequent opportunities to encounter those in desperate circumstances.
During my difficult times, I too felt despair, believing I was at life's dead end. That is why I speak more earnestly. Welfare is a right, not charity. Please do not hesitate in the slightest and contact the hotline. I make this request with utmost sincerity from the heart.