Launch of the 8th Term Gwangyang Mayor Transition Committee

'Report on Current Administrative Status and Key Issues' Marks the Official Start of Mayoral Transition

15 Experts from Various Fields Assist the Elected Mayor in Drafting the Vision for the 8th Civilian Administration

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Jeong In-hwa, the mayor-elect of Gwangyang for the 8th term of direct election, scheduled to take office on July 1, announced the formation of the mayoral transition committee and officially began the transition process starting with the ‘Current Administrative Status and Major Issues Report’ on June 8.

The transition committee will operate until July 20 and serve as a channel to diagnose the present and future of city administration by understanding Gwangyang City's organization, budget, and major issues, supporting the realization of the mayor-elect’s key pledges.

Regarding the transition committee, Mayor-elect Jeong In-hwa appointed 15 members across five divisions: public livelihood, social welfare, industrial economy and agriculture, youth employment and jobs, and tourism, culture, and arts. The committee was composed of 9 men and 6 women, in accordance with the gender ratio standards under the 「Gender Equality Act」.

Professor Park Yong-geun, former dean of the College of Life Sciences at Korea University, was appointed as the chairperson of the transition committee, and Pastor Shin Jeong, senior pastor of Daekwang Church who has consistently engaged in community social contribution and volunteer activities, was appointed as the vice-chairperson.

Additionally, a secretariat was established to support the operation of the transition committee, and about ten advisory members will be additionally appointed soon to strengthen the committee’s expertise.

Jeong In-hwa, who advocates for a working and practical transition committee, presented appointment letters to the 15 members, including Chairperson Park Yong-geun, before the ‘Current Administrative Status and Major Issues Report’.

The work report is considered a key activity of the transition committee, not only from a practical perspective for smooth administrative transition but also for outlining the policy priorities of the 8th term of direct election to fulfill campaign promises.

The reporting session was held on June 8 at 2 p.m. in the transition committee meeting room (Community Center 1st floor), chaired by Mayor-elect Jeong In-hwa, with participation from transition committee members and heads of offices and departments. It began with a basic explanation of the overall administrative status, followed by major work reports by each office and department and a Q&A session.

Regarding current issues, reports included ▲the establishment of Gwangyang Port as a global smart port, a pledge by President Yoon Seok-yeol for the Gwangyang region, ▲the promotion of key projects such as Sustainable City Gwangyang and the introduction of ESG administration, ▲the promotion of a Gwangyang-type hydrogen industry aiming for carbon neutrality, ▲the creation of a tentative family-themed children’s park, and ▲the promotion of the Gubongsan tourism complex development project.

After the work report, the mayor-elect and transition committee members plan to visit key local issue sites directly over the next two to three days.

In his opening remarks before the work report, Mayor-elect Jeong In-hwa said, “I thank Chairperson Park Yong-geun and all committee members who participated together to prepare for a new Gwangyang and the 8th term of direct election,” adding, “I am confident that those with expertise and practical experience in each field, spanning generations, genders, and social classes, will broadly embody the administrative philosophy, which gives me a strong sense of reassurance.”

He continued, “The 8th term transition committee will play an important role in deciding the direction of city administration and realizing the campaign promises I have carefully considered,” and expressed his determination by stating, “During the transition committee’s activities, there may be various demands from citizens beyond existing pledges, and we will listen carefully to these opinions and reflect them through on-site visits if necessary.”

Meanwhile, the activities of the transition committee must be compiled into a white paper along with a budget usage statement and disclosed within 30 days after the committee’s activities end. The white paper will include the names and positions of committee members and staff, details of budget usage, major activities, and recommendations.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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