![[Provided by North Gyeongsang Province]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/10/26/news-p.v1.20261026.c471b09892d2479db4463f4095de8d5b_P1.jpg)
North Gyeongsang Province held its 2026 Provincial Citizens' Day ceremony Friday at Dongnak Hall of the provincial government building in Andong, marking the 130th anniversary of the province's establishment and the 30th anniversary of the designation of Provincial Citizens' Day.
About 1,000 people attended the event, including North Gyeongsang Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo, provincial assembly Speaker Kim Hee-su, provincial education superintendent Im Jong-sik, mayors and county chiefs from all 22 cities and counties, provincial assembly members, heads of public institutions, representatives of provincial diaspora associations and residents.
The ceremony opened with the entrance of flags representing the 22 cities and counties alongside the provincial flag. A celebratory performance by the Dokdo Love Sports Performance Group was followed by a presentation of the Proud Provincial Citizens Awards, an AI-themed video screening, a future vision performance and a chorus of the Provincial Citizens' Song.
As promotional videos highlighting the characteristics and development plans of each of the 22 cities and counties played, mayors and county chiefs entered carrying their respective flags. The gathering of local leaders on a single stage created a scene symbolizing the province united as one.
A total of 41 residents who have brought honor to the province and contributed to local community development received the Proud North Gyeongsang Provincial Citizen Award — eight received special awards and 33 received main awards.
The special awards went to Jeong Hye-sun, CEO of Jungwoo Hitech; Namadi Joel Jin, an athlete on the Yecheon-gun county office track and field team; Lee Gil-ho, chairman of the North Gyeongsang Province Medical Association; Ko Un-ja, director of the Andong Volunteer Center; Choi Cheol-yeong, a professor at Daegu University; Kim Chan-su, chairman of the North Gyeongsang Province chapter of the Nature Conservation Central Federation; Yun Nan-suk, director of the North Gyeongsang Province Comprehensive Volunteer Center; and Shin Sun-ok, CEO of Bokteojinjip F&B.
Main awards went to Kim Seong-hun, Lee Chi-gwang and Ju Ji-hong of Pohang; Lee Gyeong-seop, Lee Mu-geun and Heo Hak-sun of Gyeongju; Park Mi-hwa and Jang Rak-gi of Gimcheon; Kim Do-eun and Kim Eun-hyeon of Andong; Son Gwang-sik, Lee Jae-suk and Jeong Seong-gi of Gumi; Kim Ho-gi of Yeongju; Lee Suk-ja of Yeongcheon; Park Jun-ho of Sangju; Lee Seong-yu of Mungyeong; Kim Yun-hui, Song Yeong-man and Lee Jong-tae of Gyeongsan; Park Jun-gyeong of Uiseong-gun; Yun Myeong-hak of Cheongsong-gun; An Hyeong-uk of Yeongyang-gun; Lee An-guk of Yeongdeok-gun; Lee Jae-dong of Cheongdo-gun; Park Jung-gyu of Goryeong-gun; Park Deok-im of Seongju-gun; Gang Yeong-mi and Kim Su-cheol of Chilgok-gun; Jin Gi-seok of Yecheon-gun; Hong Sun-tae of Bonghwa-gun; Baek Tae-jin of Uljin-gun; and Lee Chang-gwan of Ulleung-gun.
During the "Illuminating the Future of North Gyeongsang Province" performance, Governor Lee and other key guests jointly lifted a seed symbolizing the province's future.
Attendees chanted "A united North Gyeongsang Province, building a local era together." The ceremony concluded with a performance of the Provincial Citizens' Song alongside the children's choir of Homyeong Elementary School.
In his commemorative address, Governor Lee said, "Let us bring together the capabilities of 22 cities and counties and the passion of our residents to leave greater opportunities and hope for the next generation, and open a new future for the Republic of Korea with the strength of North Gyeongsang Province."
kbj7653@heraldcorp.com
