Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Inaugurated: "I Will Be a Governor Who Receives Applause from Public Officials and Residents"

Park Wan-su, the 38th Governor of Gyeongnam Province, delivering his inaugural speech. / Photo by Ryeong Lee

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] “I want to be a governor who receives applause from public officials and residents when my term ends.”

On the first day of July, Park Wansu, inaugurated as the 38th Governor of Gyeongnam Province, shared his hopes along with his inaugural address.

Governor Park introduced the spirit of the times for the 8th elected Gyeongnam provincial administration as innovation, growth, integration, and communication.

He said, “I will sow the seeds of growth on the soil of innovation and make our community bloom again through integration and communication.”

He continued, “I will innovate the organizational structure and culture of the provincial office and public enterprise-funded institutions to create a working organization that meets the common sense and expectations of residents,” adding, “I will transform the Gyeongnam provincial office and its affiliated institutions into a performance-centered, resident-first organization and make Gyeongnam a great place for business and investment.”

Governor Park, who said, “The key to Gyeongnam’s economic recovery and job creation lies in attracting companies and investments,” identified job creation through investment and attracting large corporations as the top priority of the provincial administration.

He also announced plans to position the provincial office organization and related institutions as one team at the forefront of the investment attraction battle.

Governor Park stated, “Without genuine trust and cooperation among residents, the provincial council, and the Gyeongnam provincial office?the agents of innovation and growth?we cannot take a single step forward,” and pledged, “I will carry out an administration of harmony and integration that embraces factions, ideologies, and generations.”

On this day, Governor Park also expressed his determination to lead the strengthening of local decentralization and the development of local autonomy.

“Strengthening local decentralization is the nation’s future strategy itself,” he said, “and with Gyeongnam’s status, which has led Korea’s industrialization and democratization, I will open the true era of local autonomy wide open.”

Governor Park Wansu referred to the public officials he will work with as “comrades in the same boat.”

He urged public officials, “Although it may be somewhat unfamiliar and uncomfortable, innovation is the path we must take,” and added, “As public officials, let us fulfill our responsibilities and duties in the face of the current situation in Gyeongnam, our home, and the lives of neighbors who have fallen apart.”

“We must regard residents as the top priority value of the provincial administration and embody a resident-centered working administration and continuous administrative innovation,” he added.

Concluding his inaugural address, Governor Park said, “I will strive to be a governor for all residents, not a half-hearted governor who only looks after my own side,” and expressed his determination, “Let us restore Gyeongnam’s reputation together and change Gyeongnam with strength and courage.”

Gyeongnam Province Governor Park Wan-su performed a ceremony of watering a flowering tree together with representatives of the residents at the vision declaration ceremony. / Photo by Ryeong Lee ryeong@

The inauguration ceremony was planned as an ‘event with residents’ by accepting applications from residents who wished to participate.

In the ‘Residents’ Hope Video,’ the voices of residents hoping for the new Gyeongnam administration were captured under the theme ‘Gyeongsangnam-do where our hopes come true,’ and for residents unable to attend the ceremony, it was broadcast live through Gyeongsangnam-do’s official YouTube channel, ‘Gaengnam Official.’

The Park Wansu administration declared its determination to revive the Gyeongnam economy and restore residents’ pride with the vision of ‘Vibrant Gyeongnam, Happy Residents.’

Following the four major policy goals of ▲Strong economy and abundant jobs ▲Convenient spaces and flourishing culture ▲Safe living and reliable welfare ▲Pleasant environment and prosperous rural and fishing villages, the 8th elected administration will be led accordingly.

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