So Young-ho Inaugurated as Mokpo Deputy Mayor: "I Will Contribute to Making Mokpo Attractive to Youth"

Mokpo City Deputy Mayor Kang Hyo-seok Steps Down

New Deputy Mayor So Young-ho of Mokpo. Photo by Mokpo City

[Mokpo=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Seunghyun] Vice Mayor Kang Hyoseok of Mokpo City, Jeollanam-do, has stepped down, and the new Vice Mayor So Yeongho has taken office.

The city announced that on the morning of the 5th, it held a farewell ceremony for Vice Mayor Kang Hyoseok and shared parting sentiments.

Vice Mayor Kang, who entered public service in 1995 as part of the first local civil service examination class, served as Director of Regional Economy in Jeollanam-do, Auditor of Jeollanam-do, and was inaugurated as the 48th Vice Mayor of Mokpo City on January 1, 2021. During his one and a half years in office, he contributed to COVID-19 response, attracting the Korea Islands Promotion Agency, hosting the Mokpo Literature Expo, designation as a cultural city, and the launch of the 8th local government administration.

Moving to the position of Director of the Agriculture, Livestock and Food Bureau of Jeollanam-do, Vice Mayor Kang said in his farewell speech, “Thanks to the public officials who stood together during difficult times, I was able to conclude my duties without any issues.” He added, “I hope Mokpo City develops into a cultural production city and a cooperative city where diversity coexists, based on open-mindedness, proactive administration, and a culture of efficient work. I ask everyone to pool their capabilities and wisdom so that the city can regain its brilliant former glory and grow even larger as a city of hope encompassing regional economy, cultural tourism, and welfare.”

Mayor Park Hongryul said, “Although you are leaving, I hope the time Vice Mayor Kang spent working in Mokpo remains a precious memory and that he continues to maintain a good relationship with Mokpo in the future,” offering his farewell greetings.

In the afternoon, instead of holding an inauguration ceremony, the 49th Vice Mayor So Yeongho toured and visited various departments to greet public officials for the first time.

Vice Mayor So began his public service career after passing the local civil service exam in 1999. He has served as Director of Agricultural Policy in Jeollanam-do, Deputy Governor of Goheung County, Policy Planning Officer of Jeollanam-do, and Director of the Agriculture, Livestock and Food Bureau.

Vice Mayor So said, “I am pleased to join the vigorously launched 8th local government administration of Mokpo City. I will do my best to contribute to making ‘a great Mokpo that young people seek.’” He added, “I will closely cooperate with central government ministries and Jeollanam-do, act as a bridge for communication, value harmony and communication as the greatest virtues, and open my heart to all staff.”

Mayor Park welcomed him, saying, “Vice Mayor So is a competent administrator who will carry out Mokpo City’s current projects without delay. I believe that starting this month, as Mokpo transforms under the 8th local government administration, we will achieve many things together with Vice Mayor So.”