Yeongcheon Mayor Kim Byeong-sam takes office, vows to put 'citizens' lives at center of all policy'

Yeongcheon Mayor Kim Byeong-sam held his inauguration ceremony at the Yeongcheon Citizens' Hall on Tuesday, marking the official launch of the ninth directly elected city administration.

About 700 people attended, including National Assembly member Lee Man-hee, provincial and city council members, heads of institutions and organizations, and residents.

The ceremony stripped back formal protocol and screened a video titled "Citizens' Wishes" featuring voices from across the community.

"Citizens' lives are Yeongcheon's competitive strength," Kim said in his inaugural address. "With the belief that citizens' happiness is our future, I will base every policy decision on the lives of our citizens."

He added that he would build a Yeongcheon where young people return, businesses invest and children's laughter fills the streets, drawing on the city's strong transport links, industrial base and abundant tourism resources.

Earlier that day, before the ceremony, Kim visited a war memorial to pay his respects to fallen patriots and war heroes.

After the inauguration, Kim greeted members of the press before attending the opening garlic auction at Sinnyeong Agricultural Cooperative and the inaugural session of the city council.