Choo Mi-ae: "Tightening Belt to Prepare Future for Children... Will Achieve Inclusive Gyeonggi Province"

Governor Choo Mi-ae of Gyeonggi Province said in her commemorative address on the 81st Liberation Day on the 15th, "Today we celebrate the 81st Liberation Day, a light we reclaimed through the aspirations and struggles of our entire people," and added, "Eighty-one years ago today, the light of liberation that brightened every corner of this land did not come by itself."

Governor Choo stated, "It is the fruit of the blood and sweat of independence fighters and patriots who gave up their lives, property, and everything against Japan's brutal plunder and oppression, solely for the recovery of national sovereignty and independent self-determination."

Governor Choo said, "Because they protected our nation and restored our freedom and right to choose our own future, the Republic of Korea was able to grow from ruins into an economic powerhouse. From steel, shipbuilding, and automobiles to semiconductors, secondary batteries, AI, and K-content, the Republic of Korea has now become a nation leading global change."

Governor Choo continued, "Gyeonggi Province has also grown to become the heart of Korea's economy, accounting for about one-quarter of the nation's regional GDP, exports, and businesses," and emphasized, "The freedom and peace we enjoy today and our ability to dream of a better future all exist because of the Republic of Korea that they protected."

In her address, Governor Choo said, "Gyeonggi Province was the center of the independence movement. Numerous patriots of Gyeonggi Province led the way toward Korean independence, from armed struggle and righteous army movements to national education and the establishment of the Provisional Government," and noted, "Master Shin Ik-hee of Gwangju led the establishment of the Korean Provisional Government and the Provisional Assembly, Master Lee Seok-young of Namyangju devoted his entire fortune to securing independence movement funds, Master Kim Gyou-sik Noe of Yangju dedicated himself in the forefront of armed independence struggles, and Master Yun Ki-seop of Paju devoted his entire life to training independence fighters at the Shinheung Military Academy."

Governor Choo continued, "We deeply remember in our hearts the noble life and resolute will of Patriot O Seong-gyu, Gyeonggi Province's only surviving patriot and the Republic of Korea's eldest patriot," and stated, "Inheriting that indomitable spirit of those who walked toward the Korean Liberation Army through bleeding hardship, Gyeonggi Province will not leave a single independence activist behind in the pages of history."

Governor Choo said in her address, "The nation our forebears dreamed of was not simply about reclaiming lost national sovereignty," and continued, "It was a nation where citizens are the masters, everyone is treated fairly, people create a better future for themselves, and people live together transcending their differences. I believe that spirit represents the values of fairness, innovation, and inclusion that we must uphold today."

Governor Choo stated, "The people rose up through the March First Movement to reclaim the sovereignty of the stolen nation, and through the April 19 Revolution, the May 18 Democratization Movement, and the June Democratic Struggle against dictatorship and injustice, the people protected their status as the nation's masters," and added, "The power to protect democracy against illegal martial law and rebellion that threatened constitutional order also came from the people."

Governor Choo pledged, "Sovereignty belongs to the people, proper treatment for dedication, and special compensation for special sacrifice. That is the fairness we must uphold. I will create a fair Gyeonggi Province where privilege and shortcuts do not work and people living sincerely are not disadvantaged."

In particular, Governor Choo said, "Currently, Gyeonggi Province also faces challenging financial circumstances. However, we cannot stop because of difficulty. We must protect residents' lives and prepare our children's future. We will save what can be saved, reduce what can be reduced, and firmly protect what must be done. We will tighten our belt with a heart of sacrifice, but will not stop preparing for the future," clearly expressing her resolve to overcome the financial crisis.

Governor Choo continued, "Gyeonggi Province must also become a community where no one despairs because of their starting point, no one is pushed out of the community because of hardship, and south and north, urban and rural areas, and different generations and classes share opportunities together," and emphasized, "Not taking any single life lightly and embracing the lives of 14.2 million residents with different circumstances within one Gyeonggi Province—that is Gyeonggi Province's inclusivity."