Overcoming Injustice, Chaos, and Crisis
Towards an Era of Safety, Recovery, and Leap Forward
Kim Mi-kyung, the Mayor of Eunpyeong District Office in Seoul, has pledged to implement a “district administration that supports residents” this year amid the chaotic impeachment political situation.
In her New Year's address on the 2nd, Mayor Kim stated, “The urgent task is to restore the stable lives of residents from the shocks inflicted on our society in order to maintain peaceful daily life.”
To initiate recovery, the district plans to focus all efforts on revitalizing the local economy through policies such as providing low-interest loan support, customized consulting, and early full issuance of the Eunpyeong Love Gift Certificates.
The comprehensive urban safety facility is scheduled for completion, and by establishing the Care Welfare Bureau and the Integrated Care Division, the district will build a robust welfare system as well as a disaster safety system, providing a strong safety net for recovery to a safe daily life.
Mayor Kim said, “We must steadily prepare for the future to protect a safe daily life,” adding, “We will accumulate remarkable changes in each field and leap toward a hopeful future.”
She especially anticipated Eunpyeong’s rise as a center of literature and arts, led by the ‘Cherry Blossom Festival’ and ‘Nuri Festival,’ which have become representative festivals of Eunpyeong District, and the smoothly progressing construction of the ‘National Korean Literature Museum.’
She also expected synergy between transportation and industry through transportation innovations such as the opening of the GTX-A line and the commencement of the Western Line, as well as job growth through the development of the Seoul Innovation Park site.
Mayor Kim said, “So far, we have delved into residents’ lives to find answers for district administration, resulting in achievements such as Bongsan Cypress Forest, I-mom Taxi, and parent meetings,” adding, “This year, I will meet a wider range of age groups and occupations, listen to their voices, and reflect them in district administration.”
Mayor Kim said, “This winter, we suffered unprecedented cracks and wounds, but seeing how the voices of ordinary people who took to the streets came together to create the path our society should take gave me hope,” and added, “I hope this new year will be one that moves beyond injustice, chaos, and crisis toward an era of safety, recovery, and leap.”
The following is the full text of Mayor Kim Mi-kyung’s New Year's address.
Respected and beloved residents of Eunpyeong District, and public officials!
The year of Eulsa (乙巳) has dawned.
Like the blue snake symbolizing wisdom, I hope you have a year where you wisely solve whatever comes your way.
At this time of year, I usually greet the morning with excitement and anticipation, but the air this winter feels particularly cold.
Unfamiliar and frightening words like martial law and impeachment have filled our lives,
and a sense of crisis that my daily life could be threatened at any moment has descended upon us.
However, our lives must continue.
The role of administration is to steadily take care of residents’ daily lives and lead the way toward recovery.
In 2025, Eunpyeong’s goal is clear.
It is to implement “district administration that supports residents.”
First, the urgent task is to restore the stable lives of residents from the shocks inflicted on our society.
We will expand “low-interest loan support” and provide “customized consulting” to continue substantial and solid support.
Additionally, by issuing the “Eunpyeong Love Gift Certificates” in full early, we will provide even a small help to residents’ household finances.
We will reorganize the existing Resident Welfare Bureau into the “Care Welfare Bureau” and establish the “Integrated Care Division” for more detailed support.
Second, Eunpyeong will accumulate remarkable changes in each field and leap toward a hopeful future.
In spring, the “Cherry Blossom Festival,” and in autumn, the “Nuri Festival” will color the entire neighborhood with Eunpyeong’s culture.
The “National Korean Literature Museum,” which carries the wishes of 460,000 residents, has broken ground, and we have also had the honor of receiving the “UNESCO Learning City Award” among 365 learning cities worldwide.
With the opening of the “GTX-A” line, unprecedented transportation innovation has been achieved, new jobs and large-scale companies will be established on the Seoul Innovation Park site, and the “Metropolitan Resource Circulation Center” will systematically manage recyclable resources. Thus, Eunpyeong will transform into a future city where culture, transportation, economy, and environment harmonize.
Finally, this year, I promise to visit you more closely and more often. In 2024, Eunpyeong has delved into residents’ lives to find answers for district administration. As a result, we have achieved remarkable outcomes such as Bongsan Cypress Forest, the dog playground, and I-mom Taxi.
This year, I will meet residents of a broader range of ages, occupations, and diverse interests, deeply understand your lives, and reflect your voices in all changes.
Respected residents and public officials!
This winter, our society suffered unprecedented cracks and wounds.
But amid this, something shone brightly.
It is the great values of “participation” and “cooperation.”
Though the country was chaotic and conflicted, ordinary people who took to the streets joined hands.
Eunpyeong District will join the spark of hope you have kindled.
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