Kim Dong-yeon Attends Traditional Market, Fire Station, and Welfare Facilities on First Day of Lunar New Year Holiday to Care for People's Livelihoods

[Suwon Ilbo=Kim Gab-dong Reporter] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon visited Jowon Market in Suwon, Suwon South Fire Station, and a social welfare facility located in Gunpo on February 14, the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday, to observe the people's livelihoods ahead of the holiday.

Governor Kim first visited Jowon Market located in Jowon-dong, Suwon at 11 a.m. on that day. The visit to Jowon Market was arranged to assess the current state of the people's economy ahead of the holiday and to encourage small business owners and traditional market merchants facing difficulties due to economic slowdown.

National Assembly member Kim Seung-won accompanied Governor Kim's visit to Jowon Market.

Governor Kim went through each store, purchased necessary holiday preparations items, and shopped directly while offering remarks such as "How is business these days?", "I heard your bread is famous. I hope you have a big holiday season", "Jowon Market kimchi is delicious, I heard", and "Wishing you good luck in the new year and prosperous business".

He then had lunch with members of Jowon Market's merchants' association and directly listened to their voices.

After lunch, Governor Kim visited Suwon South Fire Station to encourage firefighters on special alert duty during the Lunar New Year holiday and urged them to respond smoothly throughout the holiday.

Governor Kim encouraged them, saying "You are public servants that residents trust the most, so please take pride in your work and continue to serve well without any disruptions during the holiday, despite the hardship", and "I am grateful that because of you all, we can peacefully engage in our livelihoods and live our daily lives. I wish you a good holiday and much good fortune in the new year".

A presentation ceremony for a plaque of appreciation prepared by the firefighters' union was also held to coincide with the governor's visit to the fire station.

Jeong Yong-woo, chairperson of the firefighters' union, said, "We prepared this plaque of appreciation with gratitude because you resolved the long-standing issue of unpaid wages that we have been dealing with for over 10 years all at once".

The province recently decided to pay a total of 34.1 billion won in unpaid overtime allowances to 8,245 current and former firefighters in Gyeonggi Province by March 31, resolving the unpaid overtime allowance issue that had continued for 16 years since 2010.

After the fire station visit, Governor Kim met with reporters and explained the background of the payment decision, stating "The unpaid overtime allowances for firefighters accumulated to over 3.4 billion won and the matter went to court. The court ruled that Gyeonggi Province won and did not have to pay, but considering the passion, dedication, and sacrifice of firefighters, I thought it was wrong to say we cannot pay money that should rightfully be paid because the statute of limitations has expired".

As the final schedule, Governor Kim visited Yangji House, a severe disability social welfare facility located in Dangjeong-dong, Gunpo, toured the facility, and had a conversation with people with disabilities and staff members. Approximately 30 people with disabilities reside in this three-story building. Yangji House has a connection with Governor Kim's spouse, Jung Woo-young, who visits the facility every month to volunteer.