New Dalseo-gu district mayor vows to make district a model for local governance

Daegu's Dalseo-gu held an inauguration ceremony Tuesday for Kim Yong-pan, the newly elected district mayor for the ninth term of local self-governance, at Cheongnyong Hall of the Dalseo Arts Center, proclaiming "Happy Dalseo Together" as the district's new governing vision.

The ceremony drew residents and heads of institutions and civic organizations. It opened with a children's performance before proceeding through the formal opening, a pledge of allegiance, an introduction of the district mayor's career, the oath of office, and the inaugural address and vision announcement.

In his inaugural address, Kim said he would make Dalseo-gu "a sacred ground for happy self-governance in South Korea — a place that local governments across the country come to study for innovative administration," outlining the direction he intends to take the district during his term.

To that end, he said he would pursue six major reforms: overhauling administrative culture, transforming the Seoseo Industrial Complex into the DS Valley innovation hub, turning local festivals into economic drivers, upgrading parks and other healing spaces, improving resident welfare, and reforming the educational environment.

Kim particularly said he would actively push to establish a fund for the construction of the Dalseo District Sports Stadium — a long-sought community project — to expand the foundation for recreational sports and raise residents' quality of life.

He also laid out three core pledges for his term: ensuring the smooth construction of Daegu City's new municipal hall, realizing the best self-governing city for happiness in South Korea, and delivering a welfare administration focused solely on residents. He added that he would pursue all three without wavering throughout his tenure.

Kim presented "respect, integrity, cooperation, fairness and trust" as the guiding philosophy of his administration, saying he would build "a trustworthy district government through fair administration that respects residents and upholds principles."