Kim Dong-yeon: "Most Urgent Issue is Youth Employment...I Will Endeavor to Communicate"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon shared his thoughts after spending time communicating with journalists.

Governor Kim stated on the 27th via SNS, "I met informally with journalists accredited to the Gyeonggi Provincial Government. Rather than standing at the podium in the briefing room, we sat around a table in the conference room on the 4th floor and exchanged questions and answers on various issues," and added, "Regarding the most urgent issues, I answered 'youth employment.'"

He then introduced policies related to 'youth employment' and also expressed his views on the recent issue of the 'Complete Investigative Powers Suspension and Abolition Act.'

Governor Kim stated, "I expect the media to play a role in oversight of Gyeonggi provincial governance and present alternatives. I, too, will endeavor to communicate with a listening attitude."

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

<We Communicated More Closely on Current Issues with Journalists>

I met informally with journalists accredited to the Gyeonggi Provincial Government. Rather than standing at the podium in the briefing room, we sat around a table in the conference room on the 4th floor and exchanged questions and answers on various issues.

There are a few things I remember from today's conversation.

When asked what the most urgent issue is, I answered 'youth employment.' Our young people face a double crisis of 'underemployment' and 'overwork' that no previous generation has experienced.

To provide our youth with more opportunities, more equitable opportunities, and better opportunities, I introduced three directions and promised swift implementation.

While we will pursue policies to address current difficulties for our youth, such as 'opportunity ladder finance' loan policies and expansion of 'interview allowances,' we will also provide broad opportunities for training at foreign universities and domestic and international companies through 'youth ladder' and 'gap year' programs to foster future competencies. Furthermore, to create more work opportunities for young people, we will enhance the dynamism of our economy by attracting investments of over 100 trillion won during my term.

There were also inquiries about the recent Constitutional Court decision regarding the so-called 'Complete Investigative Powers Suspension and Abolition Act' and the subsequent exchanges between the government and political circles.

The ruling party, particularly President Yoon Suk Yeol, has advocated for the protection of constitutional values since his candidacy. It is entirely inappropriate for the ruling party to issue harsh criticism of a decision made by the Constitutional Court, the last bastion of constitutional protection.

Whether it was a unanimous decision or a 5-4 decision, the Constitutional Court's decision should be fully accepted. However, the government's position of 'not sympathizing with the conclusion' is difficult to understand.

Today's conversation with journalists was enjoyable. I expect the media to play a role in oversight of Gyeonggi provincial governance and the presentation of alternatives, and I will endeavor to communicate with a listening attitude.