Mungyeong mayor vows citizen-first, field-driven administration at inauguration

Kim Hak-hong was inaugurated as mayor of Mungyeong at a ceremony held Tuesday at the Mungyeong Culture and Arts Center, marking the official launch of the ninth directly elected city administration.

"I will focus solely on Mungyeong's development and the happiness of its citizens, and pursue a field-driven approach to governance," Kim said at the ceremony. "I will drive new change centered on job creation, population growth and economic revitalization."

He added that he would draw on his administrative experience in the central government and North Gyeongsang Province to communicate directly in the field and deliver change that citizens can feel through transparent and fair governance.

Kim outlined seven core strategies for his administration to overcome the threat of local population decline and a sluggish regional economy.

He pledged to create quality jobs and build a city that attracts young people by developing the transit-oriented area around Mungyeong Station, establishing a comprehensive logistics complex near the new airport, and recruiting biotech healthcare companies to the region.

The city also plans to expand the settlement infrastructure needed to keep businesses and young people in the area by building workcation facilities and attracting specialized public institutions.

"The words I heard most from citizens during the election were 'revive the economy' and 'help young people put down roots here,'" Kim said. "I will be a mayor of unity and harmony who embraces even those who supported other candidates, and I will work solely for Mungyeong's development and the happiness of its citizens."