[New Year's Address] Kim Hyun-gi, Chairperson of Seoul Metropolitan Council, "I Will Uphold the Will of the Citizens"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] New Year's Address for the Year of the Water Rabbit 2023 (Gyemyo Year, 癸卯年)

Respected ten million citizens of Seoul!

This is Kim Hyunki, Chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, sending my New Year's greetings.

The new year of 2023, the Gyemyo Year (癸卯年), has dawned. I pray that all your wishes come true in the Year of the Rabbit, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.

It has been half a year since the 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council opened its doors.

The council has strived to respond properly and swiftly to the demands of the citizens.

Above all, we aimed to create a ‘working council.’ Upon inauguration, we promptly completed the council’s organizational formation and immediately held a provisional session from the first month of the term to actively pursue reforms in Seoul city administration and educational administration.

We sought to realize a ‘well-performing council.’ We wielded the sword of discontinuity against habitual budget executions that did not align with citizens’ sentiments and changes, and boldly amended or repealed ordinances that did not fit the spirit of the times, demonstrating the sternness of common sense against abnormalities.

There were certainly achievements. However, many areas remain insufficient. We will share and consolidate our achievements, fill in the gaps, and find and implement further improvements. This year as well, the council will confidently and tirelessly continue on the path of reforming Seoul city administration and educational administration.

First, we will consistently uphold the will of the citizens.

The power of the council comes from properly reflecting the citizens’ intentions. This year, the council will not waver in its commitment to maintaining the initial resolve of the first year of the term and to correcting flawed ordinances and unreasonable practices.

There are great concerns about the economy this year. The council will actively promote various measures to ensure sufficient consideration for citizens’ livelihoods, especially for the socially vulnerable.

Last year gave us deep lessons regarding safety. Whenever a major incident occurred, we pledged to fix things well but repeatedly caused great inconvenience and worry to the citizens?this was our habitual administration.

However, now things must definitely change. The council will also do its utmost with firm determination to make Seoul safe from disasters and calamities.

Second, we will become a council that leads city administration with ‘principles and common sense.’

The council will now operate solely by the standards of ‘principles and common sense’ held by ordinary citizens, showing the right image of the council to the citizens. The behavior of unconditional cooperation with the executive branch if in the ruling party, or blind opposition if in the opposition, will be decisively cut off.

We will cooperate with reasonable and valid policy directions of Seoul City Hall and Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, but we will thoroughly monitor, check, and boldly improve the so-called ‘three no policies’?policies that are unnecessary or excessive in purpose, unclear in execution objectives, or have uncertain project effects.

Third, we will take the lead in realizing genuine grassroots politics.

As Chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Council and Chairperson of the National Council of Chairpersons of Metropolitan and Provincial Councils, I am promoting the expansion of ‘local legislative authority’ and more. This is because the role of local councils is crucial to firmly establish grassroots democracy and realize close-knit grassroots politics.

The council will work properly and build citizens’ trust. Based on this, we will expand local legislative authority to realize genuine grassroots politics. As a representative of the 17 metropolitan councils nationwide, I will fulfill my duties to achieve virtuous cycle local autonomy that meets citizens’ expectations.

Respected ten million citizens,

There is a saying, Dongjugongje (同舟共濟), meaning ‘crossing the water in the same boat with one heart and one mind,’ signifying sharing hardships together.

Now is that time. Both the ordinary people’s economy and the national economy are very difficult. If we overcome it together, we can overcome the crisis.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council aims to be ‘into the field, close to the citizens.’ We will directly visit citizens, share joys and sorrows with one heart and one mind, and create a hopeful year.

Wishing you a very happy new year and a healthy and happy year. Thank you.

January 1, 2023

Kim Hyunki, Chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Council

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