[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seo-gu, Gwangju, held an inauguration ceremony at the Deulbul Hall of Seo-gu Office on the 1st, marking the start of his four-year term.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by about 150 people, including representatives of residents from 18 neighborhoods, Seo-gu citizens, members of related organizations and professional groups, National Assembly member Song Gap-seok, Seo-gu metropolitan and basic council members, and staff, sharing the vision of the 8th popularly elected term and strengthening unity and cohesion among the residents.
President Yoon Seok-yeol, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, and Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City Kang Ki-jung also sent congratulatory messages for the inauguration.
This inauguration ceremony was conducted focusing on 'communication' by putting aside 'authoritative formality,' and a video message reflecting the expectations and wishes of Seo-gu residents was screened.
Mayor Kim responded to voices from the field by introducing the vision and direction of the 8th popularly elected term through an active communication method called a presentation.
Mayor Kim said, “The reason the district office exists and why we public officials work is to make Seo-gu residents live a little happier, a little safer, and a little more convenient life,” adding, “I will become a ‘Mayor by your side’ who finds answers on-site to what Seo-gu residents want and need.”
He continued, “As the vision for the 8th popularly elected Seo-gu, I propose ‘Together Seo-gu, Standing Tall Seo-gu,’ and believe that ten people taking one step each have more power than one person taking ten steps,” adding, “With the united strength of 300,000 Seo-gu residents, we will raise Seo-gu as the center of Gwangju.”
He presented five major administrative directions: village-centered autonomous city, alley-centered economic city, people-centered welfare city, ecology-centered safe city, and happiness-centered cultural city.
Mayor Kim said, “The new change in Seo-gu will start from the village, the closest place to Seo-gu residents,” and introduced the execution direction of the village government, where residents directly decide policies and budgets, leading innovation and change in daily life.
He pledged, “To revive the collapsed local economy and the alley economy that has lost vitality, we will create communication-themed streets blending history and culture in each of the 18 neighborhoods and connect them with alley commercial districts to complete Seo-gu as an alley-centered economic city where people, villages, and the economy coexist.”
Along with this, he expressed a strong will, saying, “To ensure a safe Seo-gu, we will rebuild trust in administration first,” and “We will not allow even the slightest error or exception in safety, which is directly linked to citizens’ lives.”
He also revealed plans to complete the ‘Together Seo-gu Care System,’ combined with the local community through volunteer work and talent donation, making it an autonomous success model, and to add Seo-gu’s unique color to what Seo-gu can do best.
Mayor Kim said, “Administration is both the beginning and the end of trust,” and “We will cultivate social assets called trust and faith in Seo-gu.”
Meanwhile, before the inauguration ceremony, Mayor Kim Ikang held a luncheon meeting with civil service staff working at the forefront of daily administration in the district office’s civil affairs office.
At the meeting, he promised, “We will create a public service culture that works enthusiastically with democratic leadership that trusts and respects each other, draws out potential capabilities, and grows together.”
Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho baekok@asiae.co.kr
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