The First Words of Kwon Ki-chang, Andong Mayor of the 8th Civilian Administration: "A Mayor Who Meticulously Cares for Every Corner, Leaving No Place Isolated Across Mountains and Rivers"

Andong City Hall.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwiyeol] The 8th term of Andong City under Mayor Kwon Ki-chang officially started with an inauguration ceremony held at 10 a.m. on July 1 at the Andong International Convention Center.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by about 3,000 people, including national, provincial, and city council members, heads of organizations, Confucian scholars, senior citizens' association presidents, resident autonomy committee members, and citizens.

There is also an intention to widely promote the World Confucian Scholar Culture Park (Andong International Convention Center and World Confucian Culture Museum) and the Korean Culture Theme Park, which were developed as part of the 3rd Cultural Belt Project but are still unfamiliar to many, through the inauguration ceremony.

Starting early at 5 a.m., as usual, Mayor Kwon toured traditional markets and various local areas on his first day in office, then officially began the day’s schedule with a visit to the Chung Hon Tower for a memorial tribute at 8:30 a.m.

From 10 a.m., the inauguration oath, inaugural address, congratulatory songs, and other modest yet dignified events were held, receiving the blessings of the citizens and marking the launch of the 8th term.

Born in 1962, Mayor Kwon graduated from Andong Gyeongil High School and Andong University with a degree in Public Administration, then earned a Ph.D. in Science from Yeungnam University. He served as a professor at Andong Science College, Gyeongbuk Provincial College, and later at Andong University.

He has held positions such as evaluation committee member for the relocation of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office, new town construction committee member, advisory roles for Andong and Yecheon, and national policy advisory member for the People Power Party. After losing the 2018 Andong mayoral election, he won overwhelming support on his second attempt and now leads the 8th term of Andong city administration.

Having experienced one failure, he spent four years walking every corner of the region, understanding citizens’ needs and inner thoughts, and envisioning Andong’s future?traces of which are fully reflected in his inaugural address.

In his inaugural speech, Mayor Kwon said, “I stand in this honorable position carrying the hopes and expectations of citizens who desire a new Andong,” adding, “Rather than joy, I feel a solemn responsibility to carefully watch over all citizens without exclusion, to carve paths when meeting mountains, and to build bridges when meeting water, turning crises into opportunities to enrich citizens’ lives.”

He intends to turn Andong’s pressing challenges?such as aging population, population decline, urban hollowing, difficulties faced by small business owners, youth unemployment, and rural issues?into opportunities and a stepping stone for a new future.

To this end, he announced the city administration policy of “Enjoyable Life, Added Happiness, Shared Future” and outlined eight major directions for city governance.

▲ A great citizen autonomous city ▲ An administrative city where public officials are happy ▲ A growth city abundant with jobs ▲ A new growth hub city of Gyeongbuk ▲ A tourism city flowing with culture ▲ A competitive rural convergence city ▲ Restoration of the reputation as an educational city ▲ A lifelong welfare city without discrimination or boundaries?he urged gathering citizens’ passion to move toward a new Andong.

Mayor Kwon concluded, “I will be a mayor who achieves with citizens as if celebrating a festival, humble and lowly, but firm and resolute for Andong’s development. I will be a local government head who thinks of the next generation, not a politician thinking about the next election, and will advance forward with citizens to become a mayor who will be judged by history.”

The first official document for approval after the inauguration is expected to be the “Rainy Season Disaster Response Plan” to prepare for heavy rain and heatwaves.

Following document approval, he will personally visit sites. He plans to inspect the ongoing construction of the “Taehwa-dong Drainage Pump Station” to check emergency operation plans in preparation for heavy rain.

He will then visit the public health center to review COVID-19 quarantine measures, phased return to normal life, and the progress of citizen health promotion projects.

The slogan for the 8th term of Andong City is “Great Citizens, New Andong,” and with 110 pledges across 17 sectors, the administration aims to lead the city toward “a vibrant growth city and a hopeful Andong created together.”