Governor Park Wan-su pledges to expand automatic and ex officio welfare applications and reflect field voices in policy

Sponsors donate 8 million won to support welfare workers' rights

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Park Wan-su delivers an address at the 28th South Gyeongsang Province Social Welfare Workers Convention held Friday at Masan University's Cheonggang Memorial Hall. [South Gyeongsang Province]
South Gyeongsang Province Governor Park Wan-su delivers an address at the 28th South Gyeongsang Province Social Welfare Workers Convention held Friday at Masan University's Cheonggang Memorial Hall. [South Gyeongsang Province]

South Gyeongsang Province held the 28th South Gyeongsang Province Social Welfare Workers Convention on Friday at Masan University's Cheonggang Memorial Hall in Changwon.

The event drew about 350 attendees, including Governor Park Wan-su, Kim Sun-taek, chair of the provincial assembly's culture and welfare committee, Kang Oe-suk, chair of the South Gyeongsang Province Social Welfare Council, Cho Seong-cheol, founding chair of the South Gyeongsang Province Social Welfare Workers Association, Jang Su-yong, current chair of the association, and social welfare workers from across the province.

In an address, Park said that even the best welfare policies are meaningless if they do not reach residents. "Social welfare workers play a vital role in delivering welfare services directly to residents, closer than anyone else," Park said.

Park added that the province would move beyond the principle of application-only access by expanding automatic and ex officio applications, and would use an AI-based integrated welfare platform to make it easier for residents in need to receive benefits. "We will actively reflect the voices from the field in our policies," Park said.

Organized and hosted by the South Gyeongsang Province Social Welfare Workers Association and sponsored by the provincial government, the convention was held under the theme "Laugh big, communicate big, unite as one." The program included commendations for meritorious workers, a donation ceremony, a welfare workers' pledge, a talk show and a celebratory performance by singer Jeong Hong-il.

At the awards ceremony, 32 individuals received governor's commendations and other honors for their contributions to improving community welfare. Daeil Electric Co., 365 NCsoft Dental Clinic and Kyobo Life's Sanho branch donated a combined 8 million won ($5,990) to support the rights and welfare of social welfare workers.

A provincial official said the province has been pursuing initiatives including an emergency welfare support fund tailored to South Gyeongsang Province, the establishment of a dedicated integrated-care division and the operation of an AI integrated welfare platform. "We plan to further strengthen customized support across all stages of life," the official said.


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