▲ Magokhwa Across All Areas of Gangseo ▲ Gangseo, a Great Place to Raise Children ▲ Walking Together with the Socially Vulnerable ▲ Gangseo Overflowing with Culture and Arts ▲ Gangseo Safe from Hate and Hazardous Facilities: Announcement of 5 Pledges
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] On the 1st at 3 p.m., Kim Tae-woo, Mayor of Gangseo District, Seoul, held an inauguration ceremony at the Ujang Hall of the Gangseo District Citizens' Hall, officially announcing the launch of the 8th term of the elected government.
On this day, Mayor Kim firmly expressed his determination for the administration of the 8th term, stating, "I will walk with the socially vulnerable and carry out 'administration' solely for the residents of Gangseo to radically change Gangseo."
To this end, Mayor Kim announced the "5 Major District Administration Pledges" that will be focused on and promoted during the 8th term.
First, he said, "I will turn the entire Gangseo District into Magok," pledging to support comprehensive reconstruction and redevelopment.
He also declared that he would create a "Gangseo good for raising children," where the laughter of children never ceases.
Next, promising "walking together with the socially vulnerable," he said he would expand support for the socially vulnerable, including the construction of a comprehensive social welfare center for the disabled and upgrading rental apartments.
Mayor Kim said that to create a "Gangseo full of culture and arts," a complex cultural center will be built on the current Gangseo District Office site, establishing a cultural belt in the southwestern region of Seoul.
As the final pledge, he promised to make "Gangseo safe from hateful and hazardous facilities" by closely consulting with the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the Magok combined heat and power plant and the Banghwa-dong landfill site issues and resolving them reasonably.
Mayor Kim said, "The owners of Gangseo are the residents of Gangseo," and added, "I will do my best to create a hopeful future for Gangseo together with the residents."
Before the inauguration ceremony, Mayor Kim visited flood-prone areas to inspect the damage caused by heavy rain and directly checked flood control measures.
Inaugural Address
Dear and respected 600,000 residents of Gangseo District!
And distinguished guests!
I am Kim Tae-woo, inaugurated today as the Mayor of Gangseo District for the newly launched 8th term of the elected government.
First, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the 600,000 residents of Gangseo District who have generously supported me to stand in this honorable position.
Also, I sincerely thank the members of the National Assembly, regional committee chairs, city and district council members, religious leaders, heads of related organizations, school principals, heads of district and neighborhood organizations, community leaders, and resident representatives who have attended today to brighten this occasion.
Respected residents of Gangseo District!
Our Gangseo District is a beautiful city where history and culture blend. It is the only place in Seoul that preserves over 600 years of history with the 'Yangcheon Hyanggyo' Confucian school,
the footsteps of Heo Jun, the greatest physician of the Joseon Dynasty,
and the art of the late Joseon painter Gyeomjae Jeongseon.
Looking at Gyeomjae Jeongseon's painting 'Soakhuwol (Waiting for the Moon at Soakru)',
it clearly shows how beautiful our Gangseo is.
'Soakhuwol' means 'waiting for the moon at Soakru.' In the past, from Gungsan in Gayang-dong, looking at the Han River,
it depicts the calm Han River and the full moon rising over Namsan in the distance.
Today, I am very moved and feel a heavy responsibility as a public official to start together with the residents as the mayor of such a beautiful Gangseo District. I sincerely thank the residents once again for giving me the opportunity to serve as mayor.
With respect and gratitude,
I greet all residents.
Respected residents of Gangseo District!
First, I will reveal my administrative philosophy that will lead Gangseo District in the future. I will not engage in 'politics.'
I will carry out 'administration.' Politics that divides parties and fights is enough in the National Assembly in Yeouido. The district office is a place for administration. I will carry out 'administration' solely from the perspective of the residents and for the residents.
President Abraham Lincoln defined a true democratic government as 'government of the people, by the people, for the people.' I will define a true local government as 'district office of the residents, by the residents, for the residents.' I will realize the true 'democratic local government' Lincoln spoke of here in Gangseo District.
I will carry out 'life administration' that solves even the smallest complaints of residents. All administration starts with the nearest neighbors. This is the spirit of local autonomy. During the recent election process, I met many residents. It was a good opportunity to hear diverse voices from all walks of life on the ground.
Among them, the voice that resonated most with me was the expectation for change. Everyone consistently said, 'Gangseo must change now!' I will radically change Gangseo. Gangseo has now entered a new era of change. I will lay the foundation for the 'Gangseo Renaissance 100 Years.' I will create hope together with you. To this end, I will also share the specific '5 Major District Administration Pledges' that will be promoted as core tasks.
Magok development throughout Gangseo!, Gangseo good for raising children!, Walking together with the socially vulnerable!, Gangseo full of culture and arts!, Gangseo safe from hateful and hazardous facilities! This is the blueprint of Gangseo I dream of. During the election, I promised concrete visions and alternatives. Now, it is time to fulfill those promises.
First, Magok development throughout Gangseo! I will support comprehensive reconstruction and redevelopment for 'new town-level development.'
Second, Gangseo good for raising children! I will create safe and happy homes where children's laughter never ceases.
Third, walking together with the socially vulnerable! I will build a comprehensive social welfare center for the disabled and expand sports facilities for the disabled,
and upgrade rental apartments.
Also, support for socially vulnerable groups such as North Korean defectors and multicultural families will be drastically expanded. Fourth, Gangseo full of culture and arts! I will build a complex cultural center on the current Gangseo District Office site and establish a cultural belt in the southwestern region of Seoul.
Fifth, Gangseo safe from hateful and hazardous facilities! I will consult with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to reasonably resolve the issues of the Magok combined heat and power plant and the Banghwa-dong landfill site.
Respected residents of Gangseo District!
I fundamentally believe that both politics and administration are for the socially vulnerable. Walking together with the vulnerable is the most important reason I carry out administration. Just as the people are the owners of the nation, the residents are the owners of Gangseo. I will return Gangseo District to the residents. I will place residents at the center of all administration. Regarding the 'Gimpo Airport relocation' issue, which became a political issue at the end of the last election,
I will approach it from the perspective of national interest and the future of Gangseo District. Why should a politician from Gyeyang District in Incheon intervene in the relocation issue of Gimpo Airport located in our Gangseo District?
As the Mayor of Gangseo District, I will not tolerate any actions that infringe on the rights and interests of Gangseo.
In Tokyo, Japan, there is a division of roles between Haneda Airport, which mainly handles domestic flights as a city airport, and Narita Airport, which mainly handles international flights as an outer airport.
Beijing in China and the capitals of all European countries also adopt multiple airports due to the need for alternative airports in emergencies.
I will utilize Gimpo Airport's advantage as a city airport to create a base for new aviation industry jobs such as drone taxis.
Instead, I will significantly ease airport height restrictions to protect residents' property rights.
Once again, I say, the owners of Gangseo are the residents of Gangseo. I, Kim Tae-woo, will trust only the residents of Gangseo. I will be a mayor who creates hope! I will be a mayor who keeps promises! I will be a mayor who works with the residents!
I ask for your generous support and encouragement as we create the future changes of Gangseo together.
Finally, I sincerely wish health and good fortune to all the families of the distinguished guests who have brightened this occasion.
Thank you.
July 1, 2022
Mayor of Gangseo District, Seoul Kim Tae-woo
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