Jung Chang-soo Takes Office as Gangbuk-gu District Mayor: 'Starting a New 30 Years for Gangbuk'

Gangbuk-gu in Seoul held an inauguration ceremony for district mayor Jung Chang-soo on Wednesday at Gangbuk Sonamuhol inside the Gangbuk Culture and Arts Center, marking the start of the 9th elected-term administration.

About 1,000 people attended the ceremony, including National Assembly lawmakers, Seoul Metropolitan Council and district council members, heads of local institutions, representatives of civic organizations and residents. The event included an oath of office and inaugural address, a flower presentation from a resident representative, a congratulatory message from President Lee Jae Myung, a video greeting from the Seoul mayor, a celebratory performance and an inauguration tribute performance.

In his inaugural address, Jung said, "Until a month ago I was an ordinary Gangbuk-gu resident, and today I stand here as district mayor." He expressed deep gratitude for residents' support and pledged to live up to their expectations. "Now is the time to begin a new 30 years for Gangbuk," he said, vowing to build the district's future together with its residents.

Jung outlined three governing principles for his administration: open communication with residents, solving real problems and delivering results that residents can feel in their daily lives. "I will be a district mayor who listens to residents first, answers them most honestly and delivers most firmly," he said, adding that he would focus the district's administrative capacity on changes that improve people's lives rather than changes made for show.

He also said he would steadily pursue Gangbuk's key priorities — improving transportation and residential environments, revitalizing the local economy, making the district a better place to raise children, and expanding cultural and sports infrastructure. In parallel, he pledged to roll out "Gangbuk Change 100," a package of everyday lifestyle policies designed to let residents feel the difference in their daily lives.

The ceremony closed with a tribute performance featuring residents representing Gangbuk's diverse generations and communities. Senior citizens, small-business owners, children and teenagers, youth, volunteers and firefighters from the Gangbuk Fire Department took the stage for a touch performance, jointly celebrating the energetic launch of the 9th elected term.

A congratulatory video screened afterward drew laughter and applause with the witty line: "Fatten up the district office's coffers — and slim down the district mayor."

"Today I take my first step with the humblest heart," Jung said. "I will always communicate with residents on the ground, and I will create change — one step at a time — so that every resident can feel that Gangbuk is changing and that their lives are getting better."