Establishment of Our Home Counseling Center, Promotion Media Jongno Platform Construction, Jongno-gu Artisan Certification System, Insadong International Antique Fair and Other Key Pledges Presented
[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Go Byeong-guk, Seoul City Council member (Democratic Party of Korea, Jongno-gu), held a declaration of candidacy and a press conference at 2 p.m. on the 10th, announcing his run for the Jongno-gu mayoral election in the June 1 local elections.
Council member Go Byeong-guk stated, "I have long dreamed of being a ‘kind mayor’" and emphasized, "The responsibility and duty of public officials, including mayors, is ‘kind service.’"
He also expressed his conviction that kindness is the source of innovation. He argued, "Efforts to be kind in the process of delivering necessary information to residents and promoting policies and projects ultimately lead to ‘innovation.’"
Council member Go stressed that the mayor should be a service position rather than an elected office. Based on his experience of over 20 years handling legislation, policy, and budget, the political attitude and demeanor he learned as an aide to former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, and his achievements addressing local issues as a Jongno-gu council member, he expressed his ambition to become the kindest mayor in South Korea.
Go Byeong-guk also revealed his vision and ambition to create a ‘charming and attractive Jongno.’ To unleash Jongno’s potential?such as residential environment, floating population and commercial districts, cultural and artistic resources, and urban industrial base?he emphasized removing obstacles to innovation like excessive regulations, inert administrative culture, and passive investment.
Go presented key pledges including the establishment of a ‘Our Home Counseling Center.’ The plan is to provide transparent and sufficient information related to residents’ homes, from maintenance projects to house repairs, and if possible, offer consulting support. Additionally, he proposed unique pledges such as building a ‘Jongno Promotion Media Platform’ to revitalize commercial districts, introducing a ‘Jongno-gu Artisan Certification System,’ and attracting the ‘Insadong International Antique Fair.’
Finally, Council member Go expressed his determination to be recognized as ‘Go Byeong-guk is different,’ pledging to earn the choice of Jongno residents with the mindset, way of thinking, and competence required of a new Jongno-gu mayor.
Go Byeong-guk, at the relatively young age of 49, is mentioned as a strong Democratic Party candidate for Jongno-gu mayor due to his substantial career and deep understanding of Jongno’s issues and circumstances.
Declaration of Candidacy for Jongno-gu Mayor Election
Like Jongno! Different Go Byeong-guk!
I am Go Byeong-guk, Seoul City Council member. I hereby declare my candidacy for Jongno-gu mayor.
[The Duty and Responsibility of Kindness]
The self-image of a mayor I have long dreamed of is a ‘kind mayor.’ Is this too obvious? Does it seem too easy?
Then let me ask you this: Have you ever been moved by ‘kindness’ while dealing directly or indirectly with the district office? It should be natural, but in reality, it is not. It seems easy, but it is probably one of the hardest things in the world.
You might think the mayor just needs to do the job well. My view is a bit different. What is the standard for a mayor or public official to be considered ‘doing the job well’? It is to serve residents kindly in everything. I believe that is the best way to do the job. It is the duty and responsibility of a basic local government.
[Kindness is Innovation]
The kindness I speak of is not just polite greetings. The kindness I envision is a kind of ‘innovation.’
How can we deliver information to residents sufficiently and easily? How can we promote policies and projects that residents truly need? How can we help residents’ livelihoods and households? How can we enable residents to participate in administrative processes without burden? How can socially vulnerable groups live together harmoniously? How, in fact, can we become kinder? These concerns and efforts for improvement lead to ‘innovation.’ In that sense, I believe kindness is the source of innovation.
[The Mayor is a Service Position]
To be kind, you must first know well. You must understand the operating principles of central and local governments. You must know the legislative and policy processes well. You must be familiar with the practical work of projects and budgets. Above all, you must understand the circumstances and needs of residents throughout Jongno.
I have handled legislation, policy, and budgets for over 20 years. Working in a large corporation taught me systematic ways of working. As a long-time aide to former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, I learned the proper attitude and demeanor of a good politician. Especially in the past four years as a Seoul City Council member for Jongno-gu, I have prioritized grassroots politics and directly managed various local issues and residents’ concerns.
I believe the mayor should be a service position rather than an elected office. I confidently say I am prepared and determined to become the kindest mayor in South Korea.
[Charming and Attractive Jongno]
As Jongno mayor, I want to create an ‘attractive Jongno.’ In other words, a Jongno full of charm. A place where anyone would want to live at least once.
Jongno already has sufficient potential. An ecological residential environment surrounded by greenery and parks. A rich floating population and commercial districts. A hub of tradition, culture, and arts resources. Urban industrial bases such as sewing and jewelry industries are representative strengths of Jongno.
The problem is that Jongno’s potential has been suppressed for a long time. Sometimes due to excessive regulations, sometimes due to an inert administrative culture. Lack of timely investment and insufficient efforts for innovation aligned with changing times have also been obstacles to unleashing Jongno’s potential.
Removing these obstacles one by one is the top priority for creating a charming and attractive Jongno as mayor. I will definitely do so.
[Key Pledges for Kindness and Innovation]
It is difficult to explain all the visions and policies for Jongno here today. However, I will share a few key pledges that I have long held in my heart.
First, the establishment of the Our Home Counseling Center.
I believe many worries, conflicts, and confusion related to homes stem largely from lack of information. From maintenance projects to house repairs, providing transparent and sufficient information about residents’ homes is most important. If possible, I want to help with basic consulting as well. Based on accurate information and policies, I will enable residents to plan for their homes on their own.
Second, building the Jongno Promotion Media Platform.
The key to success in all fields?food, products, markets, exhibitions, performances?is promotion. However, adapting and responding to the rapidly changing media promotion environment is very difficult for individuals. To revitalize Jongno’s commercial districts and boost cultural and artistic exhibitions and performances, I will build an innovative media promotion platform with the determination that the district office will take charge of promotion.
Third, introducing the Jongno-gu Artisan Certification System.
I believe Jongno’s representative growth potential lies in artisans in various fields. However, their legacy could be lost at any time. I will discover and document Jongno’s artisans and help pass on their skilled techniques. I want the products made by artisans’ skills to be recognized as special goods.
Fourth, attracting the Insadong International Antique Fair.
Tradition and culture should not be frozen as they are. They must be reinterpreted in a modern way and their economic added value increased to be properly inherited and developed. I mentioned the Insadong Antique Fair as an example, but I will economically and industrially regenerate Jongno’s unique traditional culture and arts overall.
Fifth, creating a youth vitality space.
Many think there are few young people in Jongno. This is a misunderstanding. MZ generation accounts for 28% of Jongno’s population. However, policies and projects for youth are very insufficient and weak. I will remodel existing youth policies and create spaces where young people can express their talents.
[Like Jongno, Different Go Byeong-guk]
My hope is to show that Go Byeong-guk is different. Different mindset. Different way of thinking. Different competence. I want to be evaluated as such. Summarizing this long story, I chose the election campaign slogan: ‘Like Jongno, Different Go Byeong-guk.’ Until you say “Like Jongno!” Until you say “Different Go Byeong-guk!” I will do my best. Thank you.
□ Go Byeong-guk Seoul City Council Member Profile
- Current) Seoul City Council member (Urban Planning and Management Committee)
- Former) Political Secretary to National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun (equivalent to Grade 2)
- Former) Manager at Hyundai Asan Co., Ltd.
- Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature, Korea University
- Master’s degree in Political Science and Diplomacy, Korea University
- Author of “The Law-Making Janitor (2021, Ibul Publishing)”
□ The Path of Go Byeong-guk, Seoul City Council Member
▶ School Years in Daejeon
* Born in 1973 in Daejeon, he grew up mainly in Daejeon until graduating high school. He had a relatively ordinary school life close to the ‘model student’ group. For some unknown reason, he liked writing and vaguely dreamed of becoming a writer.
▶ College Life Amid Confusion and Conflict
* In 1990, he entered the English Department at Korea University. Although the intense democratization movement of the late 1980s had peaked, he participated in student council activities that still upheld the ‘spirit of the university.’ It was more a sense of unavoidable duty than conviction. Like most of the class of 1990, he experienced much political and social turmoil during the transitional 1990s and chose to enlist somewhat late. After discharge, he filled his regret and thirst for ‘study’ through a master’s program in political science and diplomacy.
▶ Entering the National Assembly Out of Curiosity
* In 2000, he took the unfamiliar job of a National Assembly member’s secretary by chance. His curiosity about the National Assembly as a political science major was the main reason. For four years, he worked day and night as a legislative aide, witnessing the making and execution of laws and policies. He vaguely realized that ‘politics’ is the central axis of how the world works. It was a great fortune to learn the attitude and role of an elected official through politician Chung Sye-kyun, with whom he has worked for over 20 years.
▶ Longing for a Wider World
* In 2004, he joined Hyundai Asan, a company specializing in inter-Korean projects. Doubts and impatience about becoming a ‘frog in a well’ at the Yeouido National Assembly made him yearn for a different world and job. At the time when the Mount Kumgang tourism and Kaesong Industrial Complex projects were in full swing, he had the opportunity to join Hyundai Asan and chose boldly. The corporate world was clearly different from politics. It was a time to learn professionalism and systematic systems of a large corporation.
▶ Time of Inter-Korean Negotiations at Hyundai Asan
* After joining Hyundai Asan, he was assigned to planning and then as chief secretary to the president. His background as a National Assembly secretary seemed to be considered. The biggest task in the secretariat was managing negotiations with North Korea. Procedures and fees for Mount Kumgang tourism, development of new tourism courses like Naegumgang, and launching new Baekdu Mountain tourism businesses were decided through negotiations with North Korea. At that time, communication with North Korea’s top leadership was largely through ‘letters.’ It was a kind of letter politics. Drafting letters was often his responsibility. He devoted six years to inter-Korean projects with pride and passion. Experiencing both politics and business is a great asset in his life.
▶ Choosing Between Loyalty and Practicality
* In 2010, he returned to the National Assembly. Continuing in business was a path closer to ‘practicality,’ but it was time to play a small role in the career of four-term senior lawmaker Chung Sye-kyun. He chose the path of ‘loyalty.’ Thanks to the ‘work skills’ learned in a large corporation, he was able to work more competently than when he first started in the National Assembly.
▶ Two Battles in Jongno
* In the 2012 general election, Chung Sye-kyun left his constituency in Muju, Jinan, and Jangsu to run in Seoul’s Jongno. Although Jongno was called the ‘graveyard of the Democratic Party,’ Chung won the choice of Jongno residents with his characteristic sincerity. The second Jongno battle in 2016 was an election with meticulously designed policies and strategies. Contrary to most predictions favoring Oh Se-hoon, Chung won decisively. The victory was made by skinship with voters, practical policies, and scientific strategies. It was the most thrilling moment as a political aide.
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