Gyeongbuk Province was recognized for the achievements of the Saemaeul Movement... First presidential commendation in 53 years

(Andong = Yonhap News) Reporter Kwan-sik Yoon = Gyeongbuk Province announced on the 8th that it received the first presidential institutional commendation in 53 years at the '2026 Saemaeul Movement Merit Government Award' hosted by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security.

The province explained that this recognition is the result of recognition of the Saemaul Undong's globalization and talent development achievements, including the creation of pilot villages in 16 overseas countries and the training of 306 global leaders in 49 countries.

Together with the Saemaul Foundation, the province contributed to the globalization of the Saemaul Movement by holding a Saemaul Global Cooperation Ministerial Meeting attended by over 500 people from 35 countries, establishing Saemaul pilot projects in 90 villages in 16 overseas countries, and promoting national transformation projects in Sri Lanka and the Central African Republic.

Ho Chi Minh University in Vietnam and Bangui University in the Central African Republic operated overseas Saemaul Research Institutes to promote Korea's development experience and community values ​​to the international community.

By supporting the degree program at Yeungnam University's Saemaul Graduate School, it systematized the Saemaul Movement as an academic discipline and produced 306 global leaders from 49 countries who will lead global development cooperation (ODA), thereby contributing to nurturing talent.

In addition, Saemaul Leaders College trained 2,694 leaders equipped with regionally tailored planning and field implementation skills.

In Korea, we are laying the foundation to learn the Saemaul spirit and community values ​​through activities such as Saemaul Companionship for Gyeongbuk and Jeonnam college students, Saemaul Movement theme park program operation, and Saemaul child development project.

The Saemaul Undong continued with projects that felt tangible for residents, such as making Gyeongbuk a better place to live in at 691 locations and creating happy homes for 150 households.

In the future, the province plans to spread the future Saemaul Undong, which combines youth and artificial intelligence (AI), based on the Saemaul spirit, including research services for establishing the third generation Saemaul Undong strategy.

Kim Sang-cheol, head of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Safety Administration, said, “As the leader of the Saemaul Movement, we will continue to create a new Saemaul Movement with deep pride and responsibility that leads the era led by artificial intelligence and the young generation.”