Cheongdo-gun successfully held the 28th Cheongdo-gun People’s Day and the 73rd County-Citizen Harmony Festival. Cheongdo-gun (Governor Kim Ha-su) and the Cheongdo-gun Sports Association (Chairman Cha Cha-dae) successfully held the 73rd County Sports Festival along with the 28th Cheongdo Citizens’ Day event at the Cheongdo Public Stadium on the 30th.
On the 29th, the day before the game, a torch lighting ceremony was held in Sindo-ri, Cheongdo-eup, the birthplace of the Saemaeul Movement, with Cheongdo-gun Governor Kim Ha-soo, executives of the Sports Council, and county office officials in attendance. A torch relay event was held passing through nine towns and villages amid enthusiastic welcome from residents, and the torch relay was held in front of the county office. At the plaza, a torch enshrining ceremony was held amidst a performance by the Hwayang-eup Nongak Band to celebrate the opening of the sports festival.
This county sports competition was held under the slogan of “Cheongdo, a place where people want to live by practicing the Happiness Charter,” and was held as a healthy sports event with over 10,000 people in attendance, including Cheongdo County Mayor Kim Ha-soo, Cheongdo County Council Chairman Jeon Jong-yul, National Assembly member Lee Man-hee and Provincial Assembly member Lee Seon-hee, as well as major guests and visitors. In the spirit of this, it was created as a sports festival for residents and citizens to unite by competing in competitions in good faith.
On this day, the competition was held as a cultural and sports competition that all residents of the county could enjoy as one by preparing not only athletic competitions but also cultural events such as town and village singing competitions and performances by invited singers.
At the opening ceremony, a unique entrance procession of the flag corps and athletes from 9 towns and villages was held to the marching music of the 1st Marine Division military band, which was invited to celebrate Cheongdo Citizens’ Day and the holding of the County and People Harmony Festival.
At the torch lighting ceremony that followed, runners from all walks of life, active in various fields, participated in the torch relay, and with the torch lighting shout and the fire burning on the cauldron, the start of the sports competition was announced.
After lighting the torch, the 28th Cheongdo Citizens’ Day event included the presentation of appreciation plaques to sponsors of the sports competition, and the presentation of the Proud Citizens’ Award and Local Service Award. Afterwards, the official sports competitions were held.
The official sports competition consisted of a total of 7 events, including elastic pants running, sand bag carrying, bean bag throwing, and wrestling, and was held against towns and villages.
As a result of the match, Cheongdo-eup won the overall championship, Gaknam-myeon took second place, and Punggak-myeon took third place. Unmun-myeon won the Exemplary Athlete Award, Hwayang-eup, Gakbuk-myeon, and Maejeon-myeon won the Harmony Award, Geumcheon-myeon won the Achievement Award, and Iseo-myeon won the Entrance Award.
In addition, one representative from each town or village participated in a singing contest to unite the residents, and a drawing was held for various prizes such as lawnmowers, TVs, and refrigerators sponsored by various local companies and people visiting the area, attracting the attention of many people, and invited singers Seo Geo, Park Mi-young, and Choi Ji-hyeon. The celebratory performance further heightened the atmosphere of the competition.
As the last part of the county-citizen sports competition on this day, a comprehensive award ceremony for the game results was held, and the closing declaration
Cheongdo County Governor Kim Ha-soo said in his speech at the event, “Despite the busy autumn harvest, I sincerely thank the residents who came together for the County-Citizen Harmony Sports Festival and wish good luck and good health to all who attended.” reported.
Meanwhile, Cheongdo-gun successfully held the 2024 Elderly Harmony One Mind Contest at the National Sports Center Indoor Gymnasium on the 31st, with about 800 seniors in the district attending to commemorate the 28th Senior Citizens’ Day.
Hosted by Cheongdo-gun and organized by the Cheongdo-gun branch of the Korean Senior Citizens’ Association (Chairman Hwang Yun-seong), the event was attended by Cheongdo-gun Mayor Kim Ha-soo, National Assembly member Lee Man-hee, Cheongdo-gun Vice-Chairman Park Seong-gon, provincial and county council members Lee Seon-hee, and heads of related organizations in the area, including Jae-kyung Yang, president of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Federation of the Korean Senior Citizens’ Association. He attended and graced the occasion.
In the first part of the event, commendations were awarded to 31 exemplary seniors and people of merit who have devoted themselves to promoting the welfare of the elderly in the community.
In addition, commemorative plaques were awarded to the Bongha Odong Senior Center in Unmun-myeon as the best model senior center, the Myeongdae 2-ri senior center in Gakbuk-myeon and the Haksan 2-ri senior center in Iseo-myeon as the best model senior center, and six other model senior centers.
The second part of the event included lunch, a prize drawing, a congratulatory performance, and a singing contest by seniors representing each branch, which was more enriching than previous years and brought happy smiles to the faces of the seniors.
Cheongdo County Governor Kim Ha-su said, “We will expand and promote various welfare policies so that the elderly can spend their golden years in a healthy and lively manner. We will look more closely at whether the elderly are experiencing any inconveniences and realize thorough welfare services without any shortages to ensure that there are no shortages.”
On the 31st, Cheongdo-gun conducted training at the Agricultural Technology Center for employed farmers and seasonal workers hiring foreign seasonal workers in the second half of 2024.
The training was conducted on this day for 118 seasonal workers from the Philippines and Laos and 29 employed farm owners who entered Cheongdo-gun on October 2, and fingerprint registration was also conducted to register workers as foreigners.
Through this training, employed farmers were provided with information on employer-required compliance requirements, human rights violation prevention training, explanation of the Labor Standards Act, and the four major insurance subscription procedures. In addition, workers were provided with agricultural work environment and equipment to prevent safety accidents during agricultural work. Training was provided on maintenance, safety management rules for agricultural workers during heat wave warnings, and first aid tips in the event of heat-related illness.
In addition, in order to create a stable working environment for seasonal workers, we conducted a full survey of working workers to determine whether there were any cases of wage exploitation or human rights violations. We also conducted on-site inspections at least once a month to ensure that the grievances of employed farmers and workers do not worsen. Monitoring is being carried out.
Cheongdo-gun Mayor Kim Ha-su said, “I hope that today’s training will serve as an opportunity for mutual understanding and communication between seasonal workers and employed farm owners, who have become reliable workers for farms struggling due to labor shortages during the busy farming season.” “We will spare no effort in providing administrative support and continuous attention to create a stable working environment and prevent employee defection,” he said.
Economy Queen Reporter Hana Choi Photo: Cheongdo-gun
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Cheongdo-gun Community and Sports Expert
Editor: Thank you for joining us today. It’s exciting to hear about the recent events in Cheongdo-gun, especially the 28th Cheongdo-gun People’s Day and the 73rd County-Citizen Harmony Festival. Could you give us a brief overview of these events and their significance?
Expert: Absolutely! The events you mentioned are a celebration of community spirit in Cheongdo. The Cheongdo-gun People’s Day and the County-Citizen Harmony Festival aim to strengthen the bonds among residents through sports and culture. This year’s festival saw over 10,000 attendees, showcasing how deeply rooted the spirit of unity is within the county.
Editor: That’s impressive! The torch lighting ceremony sounded particularly symbolic. Could you elaborate on the importance of that tradition in Korean culture and at this festival?
Expert: The torch lighting ceremony is rich in significance. It represents unity, perseverance, and the spirit of the Saemaeul Movement, which seeks to cultivate a prosperous and harmonious community. This year, the ceremony was particularly special as it involved locals from various walks of life, which made it a grassroots demonstration of togetherness and support for the community values.
Editor: I noticed that the festival incorporated both athletic competitions and cultural performances. How do you think this combination impacts community engagement?
Expert: Integrating sports with cultural events fosters a sense of inclusion and participation among diverse groups within the community. It allows people of all ages and backgrounds to connect— whether they are athletes competing in traditional games like sandbag carrying or enjoying singing contests. It transforms the festival into a vibrant hub of activities where everyone can find something they enjoy, ultimately enhancing community pride and cohesion.
Editor: It sounds like the competition was not only about winning but also about celebrating participation. Can you share more about the types of events that took place and their impact?
Expert: Definitely! The festival featured a range of events, from the more traditional elastic pants running to wrestling. These events are designed to be fun and accessible for all ages. The results from the competitions not only promote healthy competition but also foster local pride. For instance, Cheongdo-eup winning the overall championship ignited enthusiasm among its residents, leading to a stronger community identity.
Editor: We also heard about the Elderly Harmony One Mind Contest held shortly after. How does this event reflect the community’s commitment to its older residents?
Expert: The Elderly Harmony One Mind Contest is another expression of Cheongdo’s commitment to social welfare. By recognizing the elderly through awards and events, the community emphasizes respect and value for seniors’ contributions. The festival not only provides entertainment but also enriches their lives—promoting social interaction and mental well-being, which is crucial in fostering an age-inclusive environment.
Editor: Speaking of community welfare, Governor Kim Ha-soo’s remarks emphasized a focus on improving senior citizens’ quality of life. What initiatives do you think could further enhance their living conditions?
Expert: There are several initiatives that can be beneficial. Expanding access to healthcare services, organizing regular social activities, and ensuring that community spaces are age-friendly could make a significant difference. Additionally, creating more outreach programs that directly assess seniors’ needs can lead to tailored solutions that enhance their daily lives.
Editor: Thank you for that insightful response! Lastly, what do you think is the future of such community events in Cheongdo-gun?
Expert: The future looks promising. As the community recognizes the importance of events like these for fostering social ties and pride, I anticipate even greater participation and broader initiatives to include all demographics. This positive momentum can lead to happier, healthier, and more cohesive communities, making Cheongdo-gun a model for community engagement in South Korea.
Editor: Thank you for your time and insights today! It’s refreshing to see how community spirit and welfare are prioritized in Cheongdo-gun, and we look forward to hearing more in the future.
Expert: Thank you for having me! It was a pleasure to discuss these important events and the vibrant community here in Cheongdo.