Kim Mikyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong District, Inaugurated for the 8th Term... "Will Achieve Unstoppable Development of Eunpyeong Without Interruption"

Inauguration Ceremony of Kim Mikyung, 8th Eunpyeong District Mayor, to be Held on July 1 at Eunpyeong Culture and Arts Center... Attended by Various Figures and Local Residents... Mayor Kim Pledges "To Achieve Eunpyeong's Development Continuously and Boldly Based on the Past Four Years' Experience"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, held an inauguration ceremony at 5 p.m. on July 1 at the Eunpyeong Culture and Arts Center, marking the start of her term as the 8th elected Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu.

Before the inauguration ceremony, starting from 8 a.m., Mayor Kim visited the National Cemetery with the Seoul mayoral team and the heads of 25 autonomous districts to pay respects. Afterwards, she began her first official duties of the 8th term by inspecting flood-prone sites for safety.

Mayor Kim toured local mountain slopes and retaining wall sites to thoroughly assess disaster situations caused by heavy rain.

Mayor Kim stated, "Prioritizing the safety of residents and protecting a safe Eunpyeong-gu is one of the important responsibilities of the mayor," and expressed her determination, "I will carry out district administration without losing my initial resolve."

The inauguration ceremony was held with attendees from various sectors and local residents. The district conducted the ceremony modestly and simply, making it an open event accessible to all residents. The plan was to create a space for the unity of all Eunpyeong residents.

The ceremony proceeded in the order of a video showcasing the achievements of the 7th term, reading of the president's congratulatory message, guest speeches, congratulatory videos, oath-taking, inaugural address, presentation of congratulatory bouquets, and cultural performances by local residents.

In her inaugural address, Mayor Kim presented the administrative direction for the 8th term, declaring the operational direction and determination for a new leap forward reflecting the aspirations of Eunpyeong residents.

The congratulatory bouquet was presented by Aiki, a famous choreographer and Eunpyeong-gu public relations ambassador. Along with her congratulations, Aiki said, "I hope you will continue to work diligently for the local community during the 8th term."

The inauguration ceremony concluded with a grand and beautiful performance by the Eunpyeong-gu Municipal Choir, representing Eunpyeong. The choir performed songs such as "I Offer You Flowers," delivering a message of hope and harmony with the start of the 8th term.

In her inaugural address, Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, said, "We will create future growth engines for Eunpyeong through cultural content and promote swift and well-organized development by forming a rapid promotion team for redevelopment and reconstruction," adding, "I sincerely thank the residents once again for giving me this opportunity. Based on the experience of the past four years, I will achieve the development of Eunpyeong without interruption and without hesitation."

Inaugural Address

Respected residents of Eunpyeong-gu!

Distinguished guests who have honored us with your presence!

I greet you.

I am Kim Mi-kyung, the 21st elected Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu for the 8th term.

First, I sincerely thank the residents for giving me another opportunity.

I will honor the trust and support you have given me

and become a competent mayor who completes change.

The next four years

will be a time to prove

that your choice was right.

Based on the experience of the past four years,

I will achieve the development of Eunpyeong without interruption and without hesitation.

Dear residents of Eunpyeong-gu!

Currently, there are over 100 development projects, large and small, underway in Eunpyeong.

Many people I met during the election period expressed the need for rapid promotion of development projects and expansion of infrastructure.

With the start of the 8th term,

we intend to reflect residents' aspirations for regional development

and strive to improve financial independence through income increase by making the following efforts.

First, we will revitalize the local commercial districts.

For this,

expansion of transportation infrastructure must precede.

We will promptly promote the extension of the Shinbundang Line to the northwest, the western light rail,

and the opening of Eunpyeong Saegil and Tongillo bypass roads to significantly improve our district's transportation environment.

When the GTX-A line, currently under active construction at Yeonsinnae Station, opens,

travel to downtown and Gangnam areas will become much easier.

Based on improved transportation accessibility,

we will actively develop the commercial district around Yeonsinnae,

increasing consumption by the floating population passing through the area.

The Susaek Station area will be developed into a complex cultural shopping hub

by gathering convention facilities, shopping malls, hotels, and performance halls.

Private companies such as Sampyo Energy, Lotte Mall, and SPOTV will play a significant role in revitalizing the local economy.

Seoul Innovation Park will become a landmark representing the northwest area

through attracting the University of Seoul and fostering new growth industries,

and the area around Eunpyeong Public Garage will be developed as a future strategic base through complex projects.

Second, creating future growth engines through cultural content.

The cultural tourism belt project, which connects cultural content throughout the region into a single line,

will enter its second phase of development.

We will successfully complete the project

to achieve a virtuous economic cycle effect from the influx of tourists.

In April, we held the Bulgwangcheon Cherry Blossom Festival, which had been postponed due to the COVID-19 situation.

It provided a healing time for residents after a long time,

and it is said to have revitalized local merchants as well.

We will continue to activate local festivals

to satisfy residents' cultural needs and focus on economic recovery through consumption stimulation.

Third, promoting rapid and well-organized development through the formation of a rapid promotion team for redevelopment and reconstruction.

A public-private joint rapid promotion team for redevelopment and reconstruction, composed of experts such as lawyers and public officials, will be launched.

Through prior consulting related to housing maintenance projects,

we will protect residents' property rights,

and through swift administrative processing,

we will not miss the golden time for regional development.

Another area we intend to focus on during the 8th term is education.

Many parents worry about moving when their children enter middle and high school.

We will create a safe and high-quality educational environment

to ease parents' concerns.

By constructing new schools,

we will alleviate the inconvenience of long-distance commuting students,

and by establishing and operating a Career and Academic Information Center,

we will provide admission information and counseling services to youth.

We will build the 'Eunpyeong-style Care System'

to also improve the quality of public childcare services.

Environmental issues are also urgent tasks that must keep pace with the times.

We will continue efforts to practice carbon neutrality through resource circulation,

and actively introduce ESG management methods, including climate budgeting, into district administration.

Bulgwangcheon, Nokbeoncheon, and Changneungcheon streams

will be transformed into waterfront spaces where residents can comfortably enjoy leisure.

We will also expand nature-friendly green infrastructure.

The cypress healing forest, barrier-free forest trails,

sunrise observatory and family camping sites in parks

will become healing spaces within the city.

Welfare is an investment for the future of the entire community.

Our residents of Eunpyeong-gu have practiced warm-heartedness toward neighbors,

achieving first place in Red Cross membership fee collection for 15 consecutive years.

Eunpyeong's welfare will aim for inclusive welfare,

warmer and more thorough welfare.

While providing specialized welfare services for target groups,

we will systematically support welfare blind spots such as single-person households

by establishing dedicated organizations.

Respected residents of Eunpyeong-gu!

During my previous term, I met many people by visiting various places on foot.

As always, the answer to every problem was on the ground.

When communicating and empathizing directly with residents,

we found the most accurate and prompt solutions.

I will meet you more diligently than before,

and listen carefully to your valuable opinions.

Dear residents of Eunpyeong-gu!

I will walk hand in hand with the trust you have given me again.

I will neither go ahead alone nor fall behind,

but walk just half a step ahead.

I will walk together with you,

leading change as much as the steps ahead.

That change will surely

bear precious fruits of Eunpyeong's development and the happiness of all residents.

I thank everyone who took the time to be here once again.

I wish health and good fortune to all your families.

Thank you.

July 1, 2022

Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu Kim Mi-kyung