[This Person] Where Does the Overflowing Energy of 'Indomitable Man' Yoodonggyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, Come From?

Overcoming Poverty, Mayor Yoodonggyun of Mapo-gu with Indomitable Will, Highly Rated for 'Monthly Taxi Driver Visits' and '5 Million Trees Planted During Tenure,' Draws Attention for Warmth Toward Staff and Boundless Energy

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Formal education: graduated from elementary school. Passed middle and high school equivalency exams and graduated from Korea National Open University.

Currently enrolled in Yonsei University Graduate School of Public Administration, working as a district mayor by day and studying by night, embodying the spirit of diligent study.

This is a brief profile of Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo District.

Even from his simple career, it is clear that Mayor Yoo is an inspirational figure who has achieved his goals despite poverty. At the young age of 13, he moved from his hometown, Gochang, Jeonbuk, to Seoul with his parents and settled at the foothills of Seongmisan Mountain behind the old Mapo District Office. As the eldest son in a poor family, Yoo was a responsible boy who, despite his young age, worked in a factory after graduating elementary school to support his family.

In 1995, he was elected as a member of the first popularly elected Mapo District Council, awakening his sense of service to the community and residents. Recalling that time, former Mapo District Director Han said, “When Yoo was a first-term council member, I heard him say, ‘I want to become the mayor of Mapo District someday and make a great contribution to the development of the area.’” He expressed respect for Mayor Yoo’s determination, having achieved his goal after more than 20 years.

After serving as a council member, Yoo returned to his livelihood, not hesitating to take on difficult jobs such as running a bag factory and driving a taxi. Despite these hardships, he never gave up his spirit of service to the community. He spent over a decade as the Democratic Party secretary of Mapo District, served as a Seoul city council member, and was eventually elected as the mayor of Mapo District in the 7th popularly elected term.

Mayor Yoo’s career and determination aside, his actions after being elected?such as delivering scholarship funds earned from driving a taxi once a month, planting 5 million trees, and showing love for his staff?have touched many and become a hot topic, revealing the human side of Yoo Dong-gyun.

Since his election in the 7th term, Mayor Yoo has consistently worked as a taxi driver once a month. He drives a taxi from a local company from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., working a full 12 hours.

All the earnings are donated to the Mapo Scholarship Fund. However, despite this being known, he firmly declines interview requests related to this activity.

This seems to stem from his painful experience of not being able to study properly during his childhood, motivating him to continue this work even while busy with his mayoral duties.

Additionally, since taking office, Mayor Yoo has been pursuing a goal to plant 5 million trees during his term to create a ‘Healthy Green City Mapo’ that protects residents’ health from fine dust and other pollutants, finding every possible place to plant trees.

Alongside this, he has established a ‘Peace Graduate School’ program for Mapo residents to foster a learning environment and promote awareness for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

In particular, Mayor Yoo urges his staff to focus solely on their work and become ‘warm public officials who prove themselves through their work.’

Mayor Yoo, who has a warm heart for residents in need, is also known for his exceptional care for his staff. One employee said, “Mayor Yoo always greets us warmly and encourages us without reservation,” adding, “He especially urges us to be public officials with a warm heart for the residents.”

Another employee shared, “He listens to staff concerns and always encourages us to study, like a caring parent.”

Above all, Yoo Dong-gyun, who has a lively personality, is known as an ‘energetic mayor’ to everyone, sparking curiosity about the source of his energy.