Kim Gil-seong Inaugurated as 8th Term Elected Mayor of Seoul Jung-gu... "I Will Create a United Jung-gu"

Kim Gil-seong, Jung-gu Mayor, Holds Inauguration Ceremony at 3 PM on July 1 at Chungmu Art Center Grand Theater, Launching the 8th Elected Term... ▲Jung-gu Where Forest, People, and Buildings Unite ▲Happy Welfare Jung-gu for All Ages ▲Education Jung-gu That Brings People Back ▲Vibrant Economic Jung-gu ▲Jung-gu Where Residents Are the Owners, Starting Strongly

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim Gilsung, the 8th elected mayor of Jung-gu, Seoul, held his inauguration ceremony on July 1st at 3 p.m. at the Chungmu Art Center Grand Theater, marking the start of his term as the 8th elected mayor of Jung-gu.

The inauguration was attended by about 1,200 people, including Ji Sangwook, the party district committee chairman, National Assembly member Park Seongjun, transition committee chair Choi Myeongok, advisory committee chair Jeong Dongil, city and district council members, and residents of Jung-gu, adding luster to the event. Above all, the ceremony was well-organized under the theme "All Jung-gu residents are the owners," forming a united one team where local residents directly planned and participated in cultural performances.

In particular, a 5-minute video was screened featuring residents from various walks of life?from children to youth, parents, merchants, and seniors?expressing their hopes and expectations for Mayor Kim Gilsung, drawing attention. A caf? owner in Cheonggu-dong expressed anticipation for the development of Dasan-ro, a manufacturer in Bangsan Market requested revitalization of the market, a youth representative from Dasan-dong asked for youth jobs and housing supply, and a senior from Yaksu-dong earnestly requested expanded elderly welfare, sincerely conveying their hopes and expectations to the mayor.

The Kim Gilsung administration of the 8th elected term has set the district administration direction with the united effort of all staff to make Jung-gu vibrant 365 days a year, focusing on ▲ Jung-gu where forest, people, and buildings become one ▲ welfare Jung-gu where all ages are happy ▲ educational Jung-gu that attracts people back ▲ economically vibrant Jung-gu ▲ and Jung-gu where residents are the owners, and has started vigorously.

Mayor Kim Gilsung said, "I thank the residents who placed me in the mayor's seat with their warm support. I will do my best to realize all the expectations and hopes sent by the 122,000 residents," adding, "I will constantly communicate with residents and unite divided hearts to create 'a united Jung-gu, a Jung-gu that works together.'"

Inaugural Address

Respected residents of Jung-gu!

And distinguished guests attending this event!

With the passionate support of the residents in the June 1 local elections, I have been inaugurated as the 10th mayor of Jung-gu for the 8th elected term,

Kim Gilsung.

First, I bow my head in deep respect and gratitude to the residents who entrusted me with the heavy responsibility of representing the 120,000 residents of Jung-gu.

Respected residents!

This election was fiercer than ever before.

The public sentiment that decided the election outcome is a solemn responsibility that I must bear as the mayor of Jung-gu.

I regard it as a solemn mission given by the residents and will devote all my passion and capabilities solely for the residents over the next four years

to the development of Jung-gu.

I will revive the past glory of Jung-gu, which was bustling with people day and night 365 days a year, making it a lively and vibrant place where people gather and residents live well.

To this end, I make five promises to you, the residents, gathered here today.

First, I will create a harmonious Jung-gu where forest, people, and buildings become one.

First, we will promote a comprehensive development plan for the Yaksu, Cheonggu, and Sindang station areas, where 70% of Jung-gu residents live.

We will upgrade the Dasan-ro area along Yaksu, Cheonggu, and Sindang stations from a type 3 residential zone to a quasi-residential zone, developing it into a central axis of business, commerce, residence, and culture with coexistence of high-rise buildings and eco-friendly residential areas, surpassing Gangnam’s Teheran-ro.

We will also resolve the long-standing wishes of residents in Hoehyeon-dong, Myeong-dong, Pildong, Jangchung-dong, and Dasan-dong, who have been restricted in various developments and property rights due to the Namsan height restriction zone.

The old Sewoon district will be redeveloped into a green ecological urban center combining apartment complexes, office facilities, neighborhood living facilities, and parks.

We plan to develop the old downtown area around Sewoon district into a high-density, mixed-use area while securing green spaces by district to form a green axis running through Jung-gu.

We will transform it into a nature-friendly future urban center like London in the UK or Manhattan City in New York, where high-rise building forests and tree forests coexist and nature and people live in harmony.

Additionally, we will create public housing for young workers, newlyweds, and university students to live close to their workplaces, injecting vitality and youthful energy throughout the city.

To draw this blueprint of a green ecological city, I will establish a 'Luxury City Construction Promotion Team' directly under the mayor’s office.

We will work closely with urban planning experts to focus on redeveloping the aging downtown of Jung-gu.

Second, I will create a welfare Jung-gu where people of all ages live happily.

We will support a happier life for seniors.

While maintaining the existing nutrition enhancement project, we will increase practical support measures such as transportation expenses for seniors and bathing support for those with mobility difficulties so that more seniors can benefit.

We will also support healthier lives for seniors.

By linking the Silver Sports Center, health counseling center, and local health centers, we will operate a visiting senior health center continuously, expand health helpers, provide medical expense support, and offer services tailored to health conditions to enable seniors to enjoy healthier lives, implementing customized care administration for the centenarian era.

We will make Jung-gu a good place to raise children and a good place for women to live.

Considering changes in childcare demand and parents’ preferences, we will expand public childcare centers to strengthen the public nature of childcare and dramatically increase childbirth incentives and postpartum care cost support as part of low birthrate countermeasures.

We will strengthen patrols at major subway stations and alleys during school commute and rush hours, expand CCTV for alley safety, and enhance pedestrian safety facilities in each neighborhood to create a safe Jung-gu where children and women can walk with peace of mind.

Third, we will improve the educational environment to create an educational Jung-gu that attracts people back.

One of the biggest reasons people leave Jung-gu is education.

We will ease parents’ worries such as "There is nowhere safe to leave my child" and "We have to move because there are no good schools."

By developing and distributing high-quality online educational content and operating demand-tailored programs that directly help students and parents,

we will create quality educational conditions.

We will focus on supporting specialized middle school programs, introduce a 1:1 mentoring system linked with renowned local figures and university professors with rich experience and knowledge,

and build a solid educational foundation through scholarship projects and various educational program support.

We will realize an education-equal Jung-gu. By operating a youth e-learning program platform where anyone can freely receive desired education online, we will fundamentally raise the education level to rival Gangnam.

We will transform Jung-gu from a place people leave because of education to a place they return to because of education.

Fourth, I will create an economically vibrant Jung-gu.

Our Jung-gu is a central city of economy and commerce, home to Korea’s representative commercial district Myeong-dong, business districts, financial districts, large department stores, traditional markets, and various urban industries such as fashion, sewing, lighting, and printing.

However, the Myeong-dong area is facing a serious crisis with commercial decline due to a decrease in foreign tourists and domestic floating population caused by COVID-19.

To restore Myeong-dong’s commercial district, we will cooperate with merchant associations to prepare various substantial support projects as a stepping stone for a new leap forward.

The shift from offline to online distribution and the prolonged economic downturn due to COVID-19 have caused great concern among traditional market merchants and small business owners.

We will revitalize traditional markets in the district through continuous environmental improvements, infrastructure, and commercial district development.

Namdaemun Market, Korea’s representative traditional market, will be completed early with parking lot construction and facility modernization projects to regain its status as a world-class tourist attraction.

Jungbu, Inhyeon, and Jungang markets will be nurtured as specialized and representative food markets,

and hot spots such as Mugyo-dong Nakji, Sindang-dong Tteokbokki, and Euljiro Nogari Alley will be branded as distinctive areas with food, sights, and entertainment.

The Dongdaemun Fashion Town area will be designated as a beauty-fashion convergence special development promotion district, easing building regulations and providing incentives such as financial loans and tax reductions,

to foster it as a core hub for the beauty and fashion industry.

In collaboration with Seoul City, we will create a street where industry and culture converge 365 days a year by hosting cultural tourism festivals linked with DDP Beauty Festival, Seoul Fashion Week, and K-content.

Dongdaemun is the only area in Korea where planning, production, and distribution are possible.

To respond to new fashion demand groups such as influencers and creators, we will provide a one-stop fashion prototype service for easy clothing production and operate a startup support system to make Dongdaemun the number one beauty and fashion district in the world.

Finally, fifth, I will create a Jung-gu where residents are the owners.

Respected residents!

Over the past four years, Jung-gu has faced strong calls for administrative reform due to lack of communication and disconnection internally and externally.

Therefore, I have set the administrative goal of 'a united Jung-gu, a Jung-gu that works together,' a one team Jung-gu where residents, public officials, and the local community communicate and harmonize without conflict or division.

Unified hearts are the driving force for Jung-gu’s development. I will first unify the hearts of residents divided by the election.

I will avoid wasteful political strife caused by disagreements among residents and between the district office and council, focusing all administrative power on improving residents’ quality of life to create a Jung-gu where residents are the owners.

Conflicts arising within the region will be managed by establishing an organization dedicated to communication planning to create a harmonious one team Jung-gu.

We will build a counseling consulting program specializing in conflict management, and together with residents, academia, businesses, and various community members,

we will acknowledge differences and resolve conflicts through sufficient dialogue and consultation.

There will be no division or monopolization in our Jung-gu.

And I will be a vigilant mayor who considers the hearts of all 120,000 residents equally.

Moreover, I promise to operate the Jung-gu office with horizontal leadership and an open organization.

By conducting transparent and fair personnel management, we will create an environment where Jung-gu public officials can work proudly and enthusiastically.

We will make Jung-gu a place where principles and trust are upheld, and honesty and sincerity are recognized.

Dear residents of Jung-gu!

Today, I have made five promises for the development of Jung-gu to the residents, guests, and public officials present here.

During the four years entrusted to me, I will faithfully implement the pledges I have made to create a fair and just city of hope where no privileges or unfairness prevail,

a luxury city where residents want to live.

I will be the mayor of Jung-gu who leads everyone’s Jung-gu! everyone’s happiness! and everyone’s success!

I will always sincerely serve the residents.

Respected residents, distinguished guests,

and staff members!

Until today, when I was inaugurated as mayor of Jung-gu,

I have received help and support from many people.

?

First, Chairman Ji Sangwook, who brought out my dreams in Jung-gu and supported me like tomorrow.

?

Former Mayor Jeong Dongil, who held the hand of a junior who promised to do well.

?

Transition Committee Chair Choi Myeongok, who planned and designed so that I could do well as mayor of Jung-gu.

?

Senior and comrades of the election camp who formed a one team from the primary to the main election and excellently carried out the difficult intra-party and general elections, more than any other autonomous district in Seoul.

?

Senior colleagues and friends who always encouraged and supported me whenever I took on new challenges.

?

And my family and relatives who raised me rightly,

?

my partner Choi Donggwi, whom I met in elementary school and who has always been on my side, and my two sons.

?

Above all, I deeply thank the neighbors and residents of Jung-gu who welcomed me warmly with expectations as a candidate who grew up in Jung-gu,

and who devotedly helped me even when I was unaware.

?

Now, the way I can repay these many grateful people is to always be a mayor who does not lose his original intention and communicates,

making Jung-gu more convenient to live in and a place residents can be proud of living in.

?

Residents, I really want to do well.

I earnestly ask you to hold my hand tightly and support me so that I can do well, and I will conclude my inaugural address here. Thank you.

July 1, 2022

Mayor of Jung-gu, Seoul, Kim Gilsung