Choo Mi-ae: "I am grateful that religion embraces and supplements the parts that the nation and society cannot fully accommodate"

[News S=Cheon Ui-hyeon Reporter] Governor Choo Mi-ae of Gyeonggi Province held her first meeting with leaders of the three major religions in the province at Dotamso on the 7th, expressing her commitment to communication for provincial governance cooperation and community harmony.

Governor Choo said that day, "Politics is about deciding how to allocate and effectively use limited budgets and resources, and it seems endless and always insufficient no matter how much we do," and added, "I sincerely appreciate religion for embracing and supplementing the parts that the nation cannot accomplish and our society cannot fully accommodate." She also said, "I hope there will continue to be opportunities like today to consult with the leaders."

In response, Kim Young-jin, Chairman of the Gyeonggi Province Religious Leaders Council, said, "As the first female metropolitan local government leader in the constitutional history of the Republic of Korea and having served as a judge, minister, and National Assembly member, I believe she will lead Gyeonggi Province well. I will hold even greater expectations going forward."

This meeting marks the first official encounter between the governor and leaders of the three major religions—Protestantism, Buddhism, and Catholicism—since the launch of the 9th popular election term. Governor Choo expressed her gratitude to the religious community for its efforts in community harmony and social solidarity, and requested their interest and cooperation on major provincial policies.

The meeting was attended by key religious figures including Kim Young-jin, Chairman of the Gyeonggi Province Religious Leaders Council; Lee Sung-hwa, Chairman of the Gyeonggi Province Christian Federation; Venerable Seong-hyo, Chief Priest of Yongju Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and Venerable Ho-san, Chief Priest of Bongson Temple; Bishop Lee Yong-hun, Bishop of the Suwon Diocese of the Catholic Church; and Father Lee Eun-hyung, Vicar General of the Uijeongbu Diocese.

Meanwhile, the Gyeonggi Province Religious Leaders Council, established in 2012, has continued activities for interfaith harmony and social solidarity and integration. It is promoting various projects including mentoring programs for religious leaders, joint pilgrimages to sacred sites for religious harmony, and interfaith gatherings.