Do Je-hae edits news stories as part of the AI team.
Professor to lead committee on balanced regional growth
By Do Je-hae
Ghim Sa-youl, chairman of the Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development / Yonhap
By Do Je-hae
The presidential office has announced the appointment of Ghim Sa-youl, a professor at Kyungpook National University, to lead the Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development.
Ghim has served as a faculty member of the university's School of Life Science after completing his graduate studies in biology at the same university. He acquired a Ph.D. from the University of Copenhagen, Demark, in molecular biology. Born in 1956, the scholar has also served in various organizations, including an association of civic groups in Daegu and the Presidential Committee on Education Innovation.
“As a professor at Kyungpook National University, Ghim has carried out various research activities and fostered the next generation of experts in his field. He has also contributed to improving his community by working actively at cultural and civic organizations in the Daegu region,” Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok said in a statement Monday.
“With his extensive knowledge and experience on balanced national development, we hope that he will contribute to achieving the Moon administration's goal of sustainable economic, social and cultural growth in provincial areas.”
The committee was launched in 2003 during the Roh Moo-hyun administration. Its chairman's post is ministerial level. Ghim's term began Tuesday.
During a media interview, Ghim said his task would be resolving problems in the provinces such as a shortage of jobs, the low birthrate and decreasing population.
He also underlined his interest in additional relocation of public agencies to areas outside the Seoul metropolitan area, a policy that was first initiated during the previous Roh administration to strengthen regional economies.
“Seeking balanced national growth through developing the provinces is among the main missions of the Moon administration. For this, we need to complete the relocation of public agencies and pursue all-around development in areas of culture, arts and education,” he said.
President Moon Jae-in speaks during a 2018 event to promote his strategy for balanced national growth. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae