Suwon City's 'Nomunggwonsang' Philosophy Stands Out in Supporting Neighboring Communities in Difficulty

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] As everyone faces hardship from the novel coronavirus pandemic, the significance of 'Nomunggwonsang (勞民勸相),' Suwon City's theme for 2020, is drawing attention.

Nomunggwonsang means "Let us become a city of people who comfort and help one another." It embodies the meaning of comforting citizens in difficult circumstances and citizens joining forces to overcome internal and external challenges together.

Suwon City, the largest among 226 local governments nationwide, has shown actions befitting the status of 'elder brother' by extending a helping hand first whenever local governments across the country face various disasters and calamities as well as economic hardships.

In October last year, when Gangneung suffered severe flooding damage due to Typhoon Mitag, approximately 40 disaster and emergency specialists from the Suwon City Volunteer Center participated in recovery efforts. Additionally, when many towels were needed to restore flooded homes, 1,500 used towels donated by citizens were sent.

Earlier in early April, when wildfire devastated Goseong, Gangwon Province, both city officials and citizens worked together without hesitation to provide support.

On the 5th, the day after the fire broke out, a city delegation visited the Goseong wildfire situation control center (Goseong-gun Toseong-myeon office) and delivered 10 million won worth of relief supplies (toothpaste, shampoo, wet wipes, tissues, towels, etc.) to disaster victims. Furthermore, approximately 3,600 public officials and employees of affiliated organizations voluntarily raised funds totaling approximately 35.7 million won.

In addition, the Suwon City Volunteer Center supported volunteer workers to assist in recovery work, and through 'Love Rice Wagon' support for disaster victims and volunteers, provided approximately 1,800 meal portions over three days to disaster victims living in gymnasiums.

Private organizations' support followed, including 2.5 million won raised by officials from the Suwon City Volunteer Center, Suwon City Stepping Stone Volunteer Group, and Gyeonggi Province Education Volunteer Organization Council, as well as approximately 2 million won raised by approximately 90 neighborhood committee members from Suwon City through joint contributions.

During the Pohang earthquake in November 2017, which displaced approximately 1,500 people, Suwon City also rolled up its sleeves to help disaster victims. In particular, when disaster struck sister city Pohang, Mayor Yeom Tae-young of Suwon City visited the site immediately on the 16th and comforted disaster victims taking refuge at Heunghae Indoor Gymnasium. Suwon City provided 800 meal portions of instant ramen, bottled water, ready-to-eat rice, kimchi, wet wipes, and toilet paper.

At that time, the 'Jungsamo' volunteer group, composed of Chinese restaurant owners in Suwon City, operated a 'Love Rice Wagon,' and public officials voluntarily collected and delivered 25.54 million won. Suwon City actively supported Pohang by purchasing agricultural and special products produced in the Pohang area for use in the city hall cafeteria.

In July of the same year, when Cheongju City suffered flood damage and landslides from record-breaking heavy rains, Suwon City's assistance also came without fail. The city delivered relief supplies including 100 comforters and 100 fans for disaster victims, supported restoration work with approximately 100 public employees and volunteers, and actively provided equipment such as excavators and dump trucks to aid disaster recovery.

When local governments relying on agricultural specialty products faced difficulties in product sales due to bumper crops, Suwon City also actively assisted. Last summer, to support Muan County farmers struggling with onion price collapse, Suwon City conducted a 'Help Muan County Onion Farmers' campaign for a week targeting city hall, affiliated business offices, district offices, and related organizations, selling a total of 11.7 tons of onions.

Subsequently, in September, upon learning of Jangsu County's circumstances where the regional representative festival was canceled due to Typhoon Lingling, Suwon City participated in an 'apple sales promotion campaign,' achieving sales of 1,000 boxes of 10kg apples. Additionally, in October, the city sold 1,100kg of Danggin City's loess potatoes, providing relief to residents of the area.

An official from the Suwon City Volunteer Center stated, "Whenever a situation requiring help arises anywhere in the country, Suwon City and its citizens will be the first to extend a helping hand through volunteer service."