Cultural, agricultural, and industrial cooperation between Indonesia and Korea will be intensified in the future."Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - The Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta conferred the Honoris Causa Doctorate degree on Governor of Gyeongsambuk-do Province, South Korea, Kim Kwan-yong for successfully implementing the Saemaul Undong movement, or urban development in Korea.
The Honorary Doctorate degree for social development was awarded by Rector of Gadjah Mada University Professor Dwikorita Karnawati in the presence of Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono (HB) X here, Tuesday (September 1).
During his speech, Kwan-yong stated that the development concept of Saemaul Undong has help Korea transform itself into a developed country, with a per capita income of US$28 thousand after 70 years of being among the poorest countries in the world.
"It is all due to the Saemaul Undong movement that Korea has now successfully established itself as a developed nation," he emphasized.
According to Kwan-yong, although the movement had begun in 1960, it is still relevant in the current times, as in fact, the global society still continues to face poverty and hunger due to the ongoing economic impact.
Until now, he pointed out that the Korean provincial administration has been working with nine countries and 27 villages in alleviating poverty.
Kwan-yong lauded the concept of Tri Sakti initiated by Soekarno, the first president of Indonesia. He is of the view that Tri Sakti and Saemaul Undong are the two concepts that have helped to strengthen ties between Indonesia and Korea.
"Cultural, agricultural, and industrial cooperation between Indonesia and Korea will be intensified in the future," he affirmed.
The Indonesian academician Professor Mochtar Masoed remarked that the concept of Saemaul Undong, under the leadership of Kim Kwan-yong, has not only been implemented in the province but is also taught in schools and other educational institutions.
"He has managed to establish Saemul Undong teaching institutions internationally that have spread to other countries through the mechanism of academic and development schemes," Masoed added.
(Uu.KR-LWA/INE/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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