March 1 'Green Seoul Independence Declaration'
We Will Achieve Independence from Masks, Fine Dust, Carbon Pollution, Real Estate Worries, Job Concerns, and Traffic Hell
[Asia Economy Reporters Chae-eun Koo and Jin-young Jeon] Park Young-sun, former Minister of SMEs and Startups, who was selected as the final candidate for the Seoul mayoral by-election from the Democratic Party of Korea, stated in her acceptance speech on the 1st, “I will become the mayor of Seoul who turns crisis into opportunity and transforms the wind into the energy of change.”
At the announcement event for the Seoul mayoral candidate primary winner held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, Park said, “The Seoul mayoral election on April 7 is a very important election that will determine the fate of Seoul and the Republic of Korea.”
She added, “Historically, the Black Death brought about the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Renaissance. Seoul after COVID-19 must be different,” and said, “When the wind blows strongly, some build walls, but others install windmills.”
Referring to her campaign pledge of the “21-minute city” from the primary, Park said, “It is a comfortable city where almost everything in my life can be resolved within a 21-minute living zone. Now, we will live in such an exciting and comfortable city.”
She continued, “On March 1, 2021, we will declare the ‘Green Seoul Independence,’” emphasizing “independence from masks, independence from fine dust, independence from carbon pollution, independence from worries about real estate, jobs, and traffic hell.” She said, “To achieve this, we will increase Seoul’s green space ratio to 40% by 2025. We will create urban forest trails, vertical gardens, rooftop gardens, and connect ‘green paths’ to build a healthy Seoul free from fine dust and moving toward carbon neutrality.”
Regarding real estate, she said, “I will be a mayor who advances the dreams of ordinary citizens owning homes with half-price apartments at around 10 million won per pyeong.” On youth and small business issues, she said, “We will place a ladder of hope with a bold 50 million won interest-free loan for youth and small business owners. The 1 trillion won Seoul mother fund and the establishment of 21 innovation clusters will make Seoul a leading startup city where youth entrepreneurship and new jobs spring forth.”
Targeting the opposition party, she said, “Political strife brings destruction and regression,” and added, “Seoul is not a subject of political strife.” Park emphasized, “This election will decide the fate of Seoul and the Republic of Korea and mark the future coordinates of Seoul as a world-standard city,” and said, “I will be a mayor like spring. I will gift ten million springs to the hearts of each Seoul citizen.”
She concluded her acceptance speech by saying, “I will be a mayor who listens to the voices of ten million citizens. A joyful city succeeds.”
Byun Jae-il, the Democratic Party election commissioner, announced that as a result of the Seoul mayoral candidate primary held from the 26th of last month until the afternoon of this day, Park Young-sun was confirmed as the final candidate by defeating Woo Sang-ho with a total vote share of 69.56% to 30.44%.
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