Gyeongju City Resolves Integrity Through Foot Washing Ceremony at New Year's Opening Ceremony

Gyeongju City Hall Main Building (Photo by Gyeongju City Hall)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Yushin] On the 2nd, Gyeongju City in Gyeongbuk held a New Year's ceremony along with a pledge to practice integrity, starting the work for the new year of 2020, the Year of the Metal Rat (Gyeongja Year, 庚子年).

Mayor Ju Nak-yeong, Vice Mayor Lee Young-seok, and 12 heads of departments and offices washed the feet of citizens, pledging to serve and approach citizens with humility and a servant's attitude.

Also, the employees read aloud a pledge titled "Integrity Starts with Me." This was a measure to improve after receiving a grade 5 in the integrity evaluation for the past three years, failing to pass.

The pledge included ▲ compliance with laws and principles ▲ prevention of corruption ▲ realization of an honest public service society ▲ prioritizing public interest ▲ distancing from abuse of position and authority, involvement in vested interests, mediation and solicitation, and gifts and entertainment.

Mayor Ju Nak-yeong emphasized, "Let all employees set an example in creating a trustworthy Gyeongju City through honest and frugal living," and added, "Let all public officials take the lead in practicing to create a clean Gyeongju so that citizens can feel the wind of change in the public service society and the city can be reborn as a happy city for its citizens."

He continued, "There may be difficulties on the path to achieving great goals, but with the persistent attitude of 'Ten blows to a tree, water dripping wears through stone' (십벌지목 수적석천), I will overcome obstacles and run hard toward the goal."

Before the New Year's ceremony that day, Mayor Ju visited the Hwangseong Park Memorial Tower with executives to pay respects and reaffirm his New Year's resolution.

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