Yangyang-gun chief apologizes to public, urges tourists to return

Kim Jeong-jung, the newly elected chief of Yangyang-gun in Gangwon Province, said July 2 that while a small number of individuals had caused problems, the county's civil service as a whole was being unfairly tarred. "The vast majority are working hard and doing everything they can to restore our pride," he said.

Although the past misconduct predates his election as the county's first-time chief, Kim bowed his head and said, "If Yangyang has fallen short in any way, I sincerely apologize."

He named transparent and fair administration as his top governing priority, pledging to prevent any recurrence of wrongdoing.

Speaking at his inauguration press conference at the Yangyang-gun office, Kim said he would make all administrative processes fully public and ensure that no favoritism or improper requests would be tolerated. He pledged to disclose important plans and budget expenditures transparently, uproot personnel practices based on school ties, regional connections and family relationships, and build a fair personnel system where honest and capable civil servants are recognized.

Kim also said that rumors had caused serious harm to businesses in Yangyang's surfing and leisure industry, and asked the public to set aside any misunderstandings. He urged people to remember what makes the county special: the summer night atmosphere of Naksan Beach, the scenic beauty and clean air of Osaeknyeong, the grandeur of Seoraksan, the cheerful energy of surf schools where beginners and young hopefuls train, and the 20 beaches now busy with preparations for the summer season.

Kim outlined five governing principles: proactive administration that goes to the scene and identifies problems early; service-oriented governance that approaches residents with humility; ensuring fair opportunities for all residents regardless of region, social class or generation; and a performance-centered approach that eliminates the distinction between high-profile and low-profile departments.

As his first directive after taking office, Kim said he would pursue a special plan for livelihood stabilization and administrative reform, and immediately activate a field response team to support small business owners and vulnerable residents who have suffered prolonged hardship amid deepening misunderstandings about the county.

He also said he would establish a standing public-private consultative body, shifting to a two-way communication model in which residents and civil servants set the agenda together from the outset.

In addition, Kim said he would build Yangyang into a "365-day stay-and-experience festival city" with year-round vitality, and complete a "one-stop economic belt" linking Naksan Beach, downtown Yangyang and the Namdaecheon River, so that tourist foot traffic translates directly into sales for local businesses.

On a proposal raised in some quarters to merge Yangyang-gun with Gangneung and Donghae, Kim said he had never heard of it and had given it no thought. He said a merger of Yangyang, Inje, Goseong and Sokcho had once been discussed, but that he personally found a Yangyang-Sokcho merger more realistic. He expressed a negative view of any other consolidation scenario.

Closing the interview, Kim delivered a final public apology. "The corruption involved only a very small number of people, and the concerns about the beach leisure culture are simply a misunderstanding," he said. "I again ask the public to clear up these overlapping misconceptions, and once more I apologize for the regrettable incidents of the past."