Choo Mi-ae: "Grateful for Religion Filling the Gaps that State and Society Cannot"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Cheon Ui-hyun] Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae held her first meeting with religious leaders of the three major religious communities in the province at Dodamso on the 7th, expressing her commitment to communication for provincial administration cooperation and community harmony.

Governor Choo said on the day, "Politics is about determining how to distribute and effectively use limited budgets and resources, and it seems endless and always insufficient no matter how much we do," adding, "I express sincere gratitude to religions for embracing and complementing the parts that the country cannot handle and our society has not yet fully embraced." She continued, "I hope there will be opportunities like today to consult with you leaders."

In response, Kim Young-jin, chairperson of the Gyeonggi Province Religious Leaders Council, said, "As the first female metropolitan autonomous government head in Korean constitutional history and having served as a judge, minister, and lawmaker, I expect you will lead Gyeonggi Province well. I will have even greater expectations going forward."

This meeting marks the first official encounter between the provincial governor and leaders of the three major religious communities—Protestantism, Buddhism, and Catholicism—since the launch of the ninth popular election administration. Governor Choo conveyed gratitude to the religious community for its efforts in community harmony and social solidarity, and requested interest and cooperation on major provincial administration policies.

The meeting was attended by key religious figures including Kim Young-jin, chairperson of the Gyeonggi Province Religious Leaders Council; Lee Sung-hwa, president of the Gyeonggi Provincial Christian Council; Venerable Seong-hyo, chief abbot of Yongjusa Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and Venerable Ho-san, chief abbot of Bongseonsa Temple; Bishop Lee Yong-hun of the Suwon Diocese of the Catholic Church; and Father Lee Eun-hyung, vicarch of the Uijeongbu Diocese.

Meanwhile, the Gyeonggi Province Religious Leaders Council has been carrying out activities for interfaith harmony and social solidarity and integration since its establishment in 2012. It is promoting various projects including mentoring programs for religious leaders, joint pilgrimages for interfaith harmony, and interfaith fellowship gatherings.