Lee Gijae, 8th Term Yangcheon District Mayor Inauguration... "Opening a New Era for Yangcheon"

Yangcheon District Mayor Lee Gijae Holds Inauguration Ceremony Marking Hopeful Start of 8th Term on 1st at 3 PM in Yangcheon Culture Hall Grand Theater with Over 1,000 Guests Including Former Mayors, City and District Council Members, Heads of Various Institutions and Organizations, and Citizens

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Lee Gi-jae, the mayor of Yangcheon District in the 8th local government, held an inauguration ceremony on July 1st and said, "I will open a new era for Yangcheon."

At 3 p.m. that day, Mayor Lee Gi-jae held the inauguration ceremony of the 8th local government at the Yangcheon Cultural Center Grand Theater, attended by about 1,000 guests including former district mayors, city and district council members, heads of various institutions and organizations, and residents from all walks of life, announcing a hopeful start.

The inauguration ceremony was conducted simply yet with dignity in the order of opening declaration, national anthem, congratulatory speeches and reading of congratulatory messages, screening of the video "What Residents Want," oath-taking, inaugural address, congratulatory song, and commemorative photo session.

At the ceremony, Mayor Lee Gi-jae delivered his inaugural address through a presentation, promising, "With the vision of 'a city where people want to live, a livable Yangcheon,' I will open a new era of Yangcheon that all 450,000 residents can be proud of."

Inaugural Address

Dear respected residents of Yangcheon!

Distinguished guests who have taken time out of your busy schedules to join us!

Today, I stand here in this honorable place by the will of the residents of Yangcheon.

Standing here, I feel both joy and a heavy responsibility.

The support and encouragement sent by the residents of Yangcheon

are both an 'expectation' for the stagnant development of Yangcheon and a stern command given to me.

Yangcheon District is currently at an important point moving toward a new future city.

Since Yangcheon District was established in 1988,

our Yangcheon has repeatedly developed as a representative city in the southwest area of Seoul.

But what is the current state of Yangcheon?

The population, which reached 500,000 ten years ago, has rapidly decreased to about 440,000 now.

A decrease in population means urban decline.

The financial independence rank is poor, at 15th among Seoul districts.

There are about 17,000 basic livelihood security recipients,

and the economic situation of Yangcheon is becoming increasingly difficult.

Many residents say,

they want to live in a city where they can safely give birth and raise children,

where the elderly can spend a comfortable old age,

and where they can enjoy a clean urban environment and convenient transportation.

Following the will of the residents of Yangcheon, I, Lee Gi-jae, will create

a new Yangcheon that all residents can be proud of.

Dear respected residents of Yangcheon,

The 8th local government under Lee Gi-jae will open a new era of Yangcheon

with the vision of "a city where people want to live, a livable Yangcheon."

We will establish a strong foundation for Yangcheon's future as a clean and healthy city, a safe and warm city,

and a happy educational city.

To this end, we will create a ‘clean city’ where all residents of Yangcheon want to live.

We will promptly promote reconstruction of aging apartments over 30 years old, such as Mokdong Apartments and Sinwol Shiyeong Apartments.

We will transform the old residential areas of Sinwol-dong, Sinjeong-dong, and Mokdong

into pleasant residential environments.

We will expedite the slow progress of the Daejang-Hongdae Line, Mokdong Line, and Gangbuk Transversal Line.

If the Line 2 branch is extended to ‘Sinwol Sageori Station,’ a true subway era will open in Sinwol-dong.

We will smoothly promote the development of the Western Truck Terminal.

By completing the above-ground park on Gukhoe-daero and promoting development of adjacent areas,

we will create a landmark for Yangcheon.

Second, we will create a ‘healthy city’ where every resident of Yangcheon can enjoy a happy life physically and mentally.

Airport noise centered around Sinwol-dong

lowers the quality of life for residents.

We will expand support so that the scope of damage compensation is broader and residents can feel it directly.

65% of households affected by noise from Gimpo Airport are residents of Yangcheon.

As metropolitan citizens enjoy benefits from Gimpo Airport,

fair compensation for our damages must be made.

We will transform the underutilized Mokdong Stadium area into a complex sports park with various indoor sports facilities and a grass plaza.

We will increase support for various cultural, artistic, and recreational sports activities,

and expand various facilities.

Third, we will create a ‘safe city’ that protects residents from disasters, crimes, and accidents.

We will replace all old CCTVs to create safe alleys and introduce crime prevention design in residential areas to create a safer living environment.

We will invest generously in various facilities to protect children’s school routes and reduce traffic accidents at intersections.

We will also broadly support counseling services to protect residents’ mental health.

Yangcheon will become a clean, convenient, healthy, and safe city.

We will create a city where everyone wants to live, a livable Yangcheon.

Fourth, to become a livable city, it must be a ‘warm city’ through a dense welfare system.

We will operate the ‘Child Love Taxi’ system so that pregnant women and parents of infants can use hospitals safely and conveniently.

We will also renovate old senior centers and senior cafeterias so that the elderly can spend comfortable old ages.

We will provide facilities for the disabled to exercise near their residences and expand support for disabled activity assistants.

We will warmly embrace and care for many vulnerable people who have difficult circumstances but are not protected within the administrative legal framework.

Fifth, we will create a ‘happy educational city.’

From an education city focused on entrance exams for special-purpose high schools,

to an education city good for raising children.

We must leap forward to a happy educational city where lifelong learning can be enjoyed freely.

We will expand and operate childcare facilities for working couples,

and remodel old public daycare centers

so that children can be cared for safely.

We will extend the operation of elementary school after-school care classrooms.

We will prepare measures to alleviate overcrowded classes,

and actively support educational environment improvements such as self-directed learning that promotes children’s learning motivation.

To support youth facing difficult employment environments, we will support national qualification exam fees to serve as a ‘stepping stone to employment.’

We will also create abundant facilities and programs for lifelong education even as people age.

Dear respected residents of Yangcheon!

There is so much to do and accomplish.

The vision and goals of the 8th local government under Lee Gi-jae are filled with the voices of 450,000 residents asking to create a new era for Yangcheon.

I cannot accomplish these numerous tasks alone.

It can only be achieved with the leaders of Yangcheon here

and the support and cooperation of 450,000 residents of Yangcheon.

Dear respected residents of Yangcheon!

Let us properly develop Yangcheon. We can do it.

I, Lee Gi-jae, will take the lead. Let us create a new era for Yangcheon together.

Thank you.

July 1, 2022

Mayor of Yangcheon District Lee Gi Jae