[New Year's Address] Sindonghwa, Chairperson of Guri City Council, "I Will Stand by the Citizens with a Hosiu-bo Spirit"

Dear citizens of Guri! The eventful year of 2024 has passed, and the new year of Eulsan, beginning with new hope, has dawned. 2025 is the year of the Blue Snake, and I wish that all households of Guri citizens be filled with health and happiness, and that all your aspirations come true this year.

Shin Dong-hwa, Chairman of Guri City Council. Provided by Guri City Council

At the end of last year, the unstable political situation caused by illegal martial law and the resulting economic contraction made the daily lives of ordinary people harsher and more difficult than ever.

However, it is always the awakened citizens who prevail.

We have a righteous historical DNA that has overcome countless adversities and hardships with courageous bravery and united strength.

In the new year of 2025, I hope it will be a year of overcoming the devastating national crisis and making a vigorous leap forward through the realization of people’s livelihood and democracy.

The Guri City Council will strive to become a council where all members communicate with one heart, a stronger council, and a Guri citizen council where citizens are the owners. Through serving governance, we will be a reliable neighbor to all citizens.

To this end, we make the following promises.

First, we will become a professional council. We will continuously provide capacity-building education so that council members can fully demonstrate their abilities in processes such as budget review, ordinance enactment and revision, and administrative audits. At the same time, we will activate council research groups to continuously study and improve policies necessary for Guri, creating a council that responds quickly and efficiently to the demands of Guri citizens.

Second, we will become a council that always listens and communicates. The voice of the citizens is a signpost guiding the path the Guri City Council should take.

We will listen carefully to the voices of citizens and do our best to ensure that their intentions are reflected in ordinances, policies, and city administration.

Third, we will become a council faithful to its original functions. To solve various issues and successfully promote them, close cooperation with the executive branch is necessary. However, it will not be unconditional cooperation but reasonable oversight and justified checks to work together with the city executive to make Guri better than today.

Lastly, the Guri City Council will carry out legislative activities with an open mind and humble attitude, keeping in mind the happiness of all citizens and tending first to the dark places.

With the spirit of Hosiu-bo (虎視牛步), we will always stand on the side of the citizens.

In the new year of 2025, we ask for your continued interest and love for the Guri City Council. Happy New Year. Always precious and thank you.