What is the story behind Mapo District Mayor Park Gang-su receiving gratitude from Chairman Kwon No-gap, a DJ's alter ego?

Chairman Kwon Nogap of the Kim Daejung Foundation, Former National Assembly Speaker Moon Heesang, and Secretary-General Bae Giseon Visit Mayor Park on the Afternoon of the 11th to Inquire About Efforts to Preserve Kim Daejung's Former Residence in Donggyo-dong and Express Gratitude for Confirming Sincerity... Chairman Kwon, 94 This Year, Asked About His Secret to Good Health

Park Gang-su, the mayor of Mapo District in Seoul, is receiving positive evaluations for actively working to preserve the former residence of former President Kim Dae-jung (DJ) in Donggyo-dong.

In particular, he received a visit and words of gratitude from Kwon No-gap, chairman of the Kim Dae-jung Foundation and a key figure in Donggyo-dong who is considered almost an incarnation of former President Kim, Moon Hee-sang, former Speaker of the National Assembly, and Bae Gi-seon, secretary general.

On the 11th at 5 p.m., Kwon No-gap, chairman of the Kim Dae-jung Foundation, Moon Hee-sang, vice chairman, and Bae Gi-seon, secretary general, visited Park Gang-su, mayor of Mapo District.

Park Kang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, with Kwon No-gap, Chairman of the Kim Dae-jung Foundation (second from right), Moon Hee-sang, former Speaker of the National Assembly (far right), and Bae Ki-seon, Secretary General of the Foundation (left)

At this meeting, Secretary General Bae Gi-seon first said, “I was curious why he (Mayor Park Gang-su) is so proactive in preserving President Kim Dae-jung’s residence, so I came to find out.” Chairman Kwon No-gap also said, “I was surprised after reading a newspaper article. I wanted to meet him, so I came.” In response, Mayor Park said, “As the mayor of Mapo District, since President Kim Dae-jung’s residence is located in the area, I started this with sincerity.”

Mayor Park held an in-depth discussion on preserving the former residence of former President Kim Dae-jung that day, expressing his intention to promptly form a preservation promotion committee in cooperation with the Kim Dae-jung Foundation officials and actively pursue preservation measures such as purchasing the residence.

Later, during a simple dinner with Chairman Kwon and Secretary General Bae, questions arose about the health secret of Chairman Kwon No-gap, who is 94 years old this year.

When Mayor Park asked Chairman Kwon about his health secret, Chairman Kwon said, “I have hardly ever gotten angry in my life. Getting angry is not good for one’s health. During the democratization process in the past, I was taken by the Central Intelligence Agency and subjected to water torture several times, but I forgave them all. I still occasionally meet with them.”

He also said that he has never smoked in his life and still goes to the gym for two hours every day. He said he rides a bicycle for one hour and works out for one hour.

In particular, Chairman Kwon is known to maintain his health secret not only by honing his knowledge and physical strength?such as studying in the English Literature doctoral program at his alma mater Dongguk University Graduate School?but also by mastering his mind.

Chairman Kwon No-gap still meets with people who were involved in politics with him in the past and often goes out on the golf course, where his driver distance reaches about 200 meters, indicating good health.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, holding a placard stating that the former residence of former President Kim Dae-jung in Donggyo-dong should be registered as a cultural heritage site.

On the afternoon of the 21st of last month, Park Gang-su, mayor of Mapo District, visited the National Heritage Administration and urged them to designate former President Kim Dae-jung’s ’Donggyo-dong Residence‘ as a temporary national registered cultural heritage.

On that day, Mayor Park delivered an official letter requesting the designation of the Donggyo-dong residence as a temporary national registered cultural heritage to the National Heritage Administration and strongly emphasized the historical value and the necessity of registering the Donggyo-dong residence as a cultural heritage through meetings with officials.