[Photo] Geumcheon-gu Becomes a 26-Year-Old Youth

[Seoul Autonomous District Photo News] The 26th Geumcheon Residents' Day Ceremony Held... Lee Dong-jin, Dobong District Mayor, Attends Mokmin Square Special Roundtable Discussing 'The Role of Local Governments for Autonomy and Decentralization'... Chae Hyun-il, Yeongdeungpo District Mayor, Attends Regular Meeting of the Sports Promotion Council

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yu Seong-hoon) held the ‘26th Geumcheon Residents' Day’ commemorative ceremony on the 15th at 4 p.m. at the Geumnarae Art Hall performance hall.

This commemorative ceremony was held as a small-scale event with minimal resident invitations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, with about 80 participants including Yu Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, city and district council members, awardees, and other event officials.

The event included awards for Geumcheon residents and businesspeople who contributed to regional development, presentation of appreciation plaques to COVID-19 merit recipients, and screening of a resident message video expressing hopes for overcoming COVID-19 and wishes for Geumcheon-gu.

Geumcheon-gu live-streamed the ceremony on the Geumcheon-gu Office YouTube channel for residents who could not attend due to the COVID-19 situation.

Yu Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, said, “Having gone through the COVID-19 pandemic period, today feels especially meaningful as we can healthily face each other and greet one another. Just as our residents have laid the foundation for today’s Geumcheon over the past 26 years, I will do my best as a mayor who ‘empowers residents’ to create an even more ‘livable Geumcheon’.”

Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu, participated in a discussion at the 21st special edition of 'Mokmin Square' held at the Hope Institute on the 15th.

The discussion panel included Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu; Kim Young-jong, Mayor of Jongno-gu; Kim Soon-eun, Chairperson of the Autonomy and Decentralization Committee; Professor So Soon-chang of Konkuk University; and Song Chang-seok, Director of the Hope Institute.

The discussion focused on the spirit of the ‘Autonomy and Decentralization 2.0 Era’ marked by the 30th anniversary of the revival of local autonomy and the comprehensive revision of the Local Autonomy Act after 32 years, exploring the tasks and roles of current and future local governments for genuine autonomy and decentralization.

Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu, emphasized, “The era of the 4th Industrial Revolution requires convergence based on diversity and creativity. Administration needs horizontal autonomy and decentralization guaranteed by autonomy rather than centralization. As authority is gradually transferred to local governments, their capabilities can mature. We must move beyond mere decentralization dividing authority between central and local governments toward true local autonomy, which is ‘resident autonomy.’”

Lee Dong-jin, elected as president of the Autonomy and Decentralization Local Government Council, represents local governments’ limited finances and restricted authority, leading solidarity and actions for local autonomy.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, attended the 1st regular meeting of the Yeongdeungpo-gu Sports Promotion Council held on the afternoon of the 15th in celebration of Sports Day.

The district launched the Sports Promotion Council to provide broad advisory roles for local sports promotion and to lead the activation of community sports. The council consists of 15 members, including ex officio members and appointed members such as professors and experts in sports-related fields.

At the meeting, a certificate awarding ceremony was held, followed by the 1st regular meeting. After electing a vice-chairman, free discussions on sports promotion plans and policies were conducted. Oh Seong-sik, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Yeongdeungpo-gu Sports Association, was elected as vice-chairman.

Mayor Chae said, “I ask the council members to gather their wisdom and valuable opinions for the development of Yeongdeungpo sports, and I will strive harder to make Yeongdeungpo a cultural and sports city that enhances residents’ health and vitality.”

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi) held a gathering on the afternoon of the 14th to encourage the Jungnang-gu athletes participating in the 41st National Disabled Sports Festival.

The event was attended by 19 athletes, coaches, and managers, as well as Ryu Gyeong-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu; Seo Yong-gi, Chairman of the Jungnang-gu Sports Association; and executives of the Jungnang-gu Disabled Sports Association.

The 41st National Disabled Sports Festival will be held from the 20th to the 25th across Gyeongsangbuk-do and will be conducted without spectators due to COVID-19.

The Jungnang-gu team of 39 members will participate in 17 events as representatives of Seoul City.

Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said, “Together with 400,000 Jungnang residents, we will cheer for your success. I hope this event will be a place where the efforts of athletes who have run tirelessly for two years despite difficult circumstances bear fruit.”

Established last year, the Jungnang-gu Disabled Sports Association continues various activities such as athlete development and support, and operation of community sports programs.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.