Jeong Munheon Inaugurated as Mayor of Jongno-gu... "For Jongno, the Heart of Seoul, Beating Again!"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] On the 1st, Jeong Munheon, Mayor of Jongno-gu, attended the inauguration ceremony held at the Jongno-gu Community Center and expressed his gratitude to the residents.

Mayor Jeong stated, “I will carry out district administration that serves the residents of Jongno-gu,” adding, “For Jongno, the cradle of future culture and a model for the world, and for Jongno, the heart of Seoul beating again, I will work diligently.”

Inaugural Address

Jongno: The Cradle of Future Culture and a Model for the World

[Words of Gratitude]

Dear respected residents of Jongno-gu, greetings.

I am Jeong Munheon, the 36th Mayor of Jongno-gu.

To make the heart of Seoul, Jongno, beat again,

I first thank all the residents of Jongno-gu

who have given me active support and encouragement.

[Reflections on the Election and Determination]

During this election period,

the most frequent message I heard from the residents of Jongno-gu was

“Please renew Jongno.”

This was a heartfelt plea and a strong request

for “change and innovation” from the residents.

On the other hand, it was

a sense of urgent crisis that “Jongno cannot continue as it is.”

I will deeply embrace the meaning

contained in every word from the residents of Jongno-gu.

I will engrave the precious intentions

embedded in the voices of the residents into my very bones.

All of us at the Jongno-gu Office, including myself,

will internalize the simple truth that

“the will of the people is the will of heaven”

with both body and mind.

We will carry out sincere district administration

that serves the residents of Jongno-gu.

Because this is the first step

toward change in Jongno.

The change in Jongno’s administration

is the starting point

for a new Jongno, a Jongno that beats again.

[Vision 1 for Jongno Administration ? Goals]

Dear respected residents of Jongno-gu!

The key questions we must constantly ponder are

“Why must we renew Jongno?” and

“What and how should we change?”

We must collectively consider

the necessity, direction, purpose, and targets

for innovation and change.

By saying “let’s consider together,”

I mean to build consensus.

Innovation and change without consensus

are nothing but building castles on sand.

The future vision and planning of Jongno’s administration

will be based on consensus.

As a new vision for Jongno’s administration,

I propose “Jongno, the cradle of future culture,

and a model for the world.”

It is a well-known fact that Jongno is the center

of Korea’s historical culture.

Based on this clear history and tradition

that we all agree on,

we aim to create a new Jongno that leads future-oriented culture.

We will create innovation

to make Jongno, where classical charm lives,

and Jongno, where refined beauty thrives.

We will build Jongno as the cradle of future culture

where past, present, and future harmoniously blend.

Furthermore, we must make Jongno

a model not only for other cities but for the world,

a model for the world.

Today, K-Pop and K-Drama

have become models for the world,

leading the global cultural market.

Now, we must nurture the “Jongno model”

to become a model for the world.

In nature, sprouts come first, then leaves.

We have already sprouted excellent buds

in the form of brilliant history and cultural traditions.

What we must do now

is to produce the main leaves of Jongno.

For the infinite development of Jongno in the world,

for the peaceful and prosperous life of Jongno residents,

we will surely make Jongno

the cradle of future culture and a model for the world.

[Vision 2 for Jongno Administration ? How]

Dear beloved residents of Jongno-gu!

If new visions and goals are needed

for Jongno’s change and innovation,

what is most necessary to achieve this new vision is

“creativity” or “a change in mindset.”

The key to how we will realize the vision

is exactly this “change in mindset.”

The process by which the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople in 1453

and took over today’s Istanbul

can be summarized as a “change in mindset” akin to “a ship going over a mountain.”

The Byzantine Empire had triple-layered

impregnable walls, and

the sea route was blocked by chains,

preventing enemy access.

However, Sultan Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire, a man in his twenties,

cut through the mountain via a detour,

cut down trees, laid railroad ties,

and moved 76 ships over the mountain.

Eventually, the ships crossed the mountain

and infiltrated the rear sea area of the opposing forces,

which became the decisive factor for victory.

What I want to emphasize here is

the “change in mindset” of the ship going over the mountain.

Especially, I want to stress the creativity and change in mindset

of the public officials of Jongno-gu.

Because the common factor of everything leading the world

is creativity.

Let us all have confidence.

Myself and the public officials of Jongno-gu Office

will firmly commit to creating “Jongno as a model for the world”

through creativity and a change in mindset.

[Promises to the Residents of Jongno-gu ? What]

Dear respected residents of Jongno-gu!

Making Jongno a model for the world

is not a concept detached from

the lives of Jongno residents.

If Jongno is not a good place to live,

it can never become a model for the world.

This is only possible when

all conditions such as residential environment and educational conditions

are firmly supported.

As we take the first vigorous step of the 8th elected Jongno administration,

for the heart of Seoul, Jongno beating again,

I would like to make the following four promises.

First, “Cultural Jongno full of jobs.”

We will build a massive cultural tourism belt

stretching from Pyeongchang-dong to the Blue House, palaces, the Lee Kun-hee Museum in Songhyeon-dong, Jongmyo Shrine, and Dongdaemun.

We will connect residents’ lives with culture and tourism,

including the Jamuon Creative Arts Village,

Insadong Traditional Culture Street, and Daehangno Performing Arts.

Furthermore, we will foster culture and tourism

as the main drivers of job creation

and new growth engines for Jongno.

Second, “Educational Jongno communicating with the world.”

Restoring Jongno’s reputation as the number one education district

is the shortcut to Jongno’s development.

By linking with Seoul’s “Seoul Learn” project,

we will build a future education platform for Jongno,

upgrading the educational competitiveness and quality

for elementary, middle, and high school students.

Third, “Elegant Future Jongno.”

We will work to ease various regulations

and improve the residential environment.

In particular, we will promote the tentative “Changsin-dong Future City Project,”

developing the southern part of Changsin-dong

into a future landmark of Jongno.

We will also secure parking spaces in densely populated residential areas,

and improve environments where fire trucks and ambulances have difficulty accessing,

strengthening resident safety.

Fourth, “Smart Welfare Jongno.”

The tragic mother-child incident in Changsin-dong last April

was truly heartbreaking.

It left us with the task of reflecting on

the grim reality of welfare blind spots.

Along with restoring a caring community,

we will support the peaceful lives of Jongno residents

through meticulous welfare administration for single-person and elderly households.

The promises I make here

focus on change and innovation in Jongno.

They are changes and innovations

for the lives of Jongno residents and the development of Jongno’s economy.

For change and innovation,

as the person responsible for Jongno’s administration,

I will invigorate Jongno’s administration first.

I will demand from the district office staff

creativity and a change in mindset

to the extent of “a ship going over a mountain.”

I will respect opinions

that include a change in mindset for resident service.

This is the foundation of the new Jongno administration.

[Closing Remarks]

Dear respected residents of Jongno-gu and distinguished guests!

It has been almost 20 years since I set my mind on politics and entered the field.

I have experienced the joy of being elected twice as a member of the National Assembly,

and memories of fierce battles as part of the opposition party.

Now, being entrusted with administration in the hometown where I was born and raised

feels even more fresh and special.

With that comes a heavy sense of responsibility and mission.

Unlike politics,

I will lead Jongno’s administration steadily through harmonious governance.

Once again, I bow my head in gratitude to the residents of Jongno

who supported and chose me.

For Jongno, the cradle of future culture,

a model for the world,

and the heart of Seoul beating again,

I will work hard.

Thank you.

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