Kim Hee-gyeom, Executive Vice Governor for Administration, Inspects New Year Livelihood Sites

Kim Hee-gyeom, Executive Vice Governor for Administration of Gyeonggi Province, began inspecting major sites in northern Gyeonggi Province in 2014, starting on the 3rd with field visits to a frontline military unit and a Happy Learning Center.

Upon arriving at the Typhoon Observatory located within the Army's "Invincible Typhoon" Unit on the western front in Jungmyeon, Yeoncheon County, Vice Governor Kim received a briefing on the unit's new year security posture. He then visited guard posts along the barbed wire fence within the civilian control line, where he encouraged the soldiers on duty and delivered consolation payments.

He then shared lunch with the soldiers on fence guard duty, commending their efforts and urging them, "Even though military service may be challenging, take pride in the fact that your presence protects the safety of our citizens, and do your best in your guard duties."

In the afternoon, he visited the Happy Learning Center in Geoklsan Village within the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division in Geolsan-dong, Dongducheon City, and the Happy Learning Center in Jangja Village within the Hansen's disease settlement in Sinbuk-myeon, Pocheon City, checking their operational status and resident usage.

Geolsan Village in Dongducheon, which has become an isolated island due to the stationing of U.S. forces in Korea, is a region symbolizing the pain of national division. The province opened a Happy Learning Center in October 2011 to develop the area into a happy learning village.

Currently operated by the Dongducheon City Lifelong Education Center, approximately 80 villagers are participating in five programs including yoga classes.

Jangja Village in Pocheon is a settlement concentrated with Hansen's disease patients in an underprivileged area. The province opened a Happy Learning Center in June 2010, which is managed by Daejin University. Approximately 2,300 villagers use 12 programs including nanta classes.

Vice Governor Kim said, "We will ensure that socially and educationally disadvantaged areas promote lifelong learning tailored to their village environment through the Happy Learning Center, enhancing residents' quality of life," and added, "Going forward, we plan to actively support regional happy learning villages so they can develop self-sustaining learning capabilities."