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

"I will build a trustworthy administration through fair governance that respects residents and upholds principles. I will push ahead without a hitch on the new Daegu city hall and will make 'Dalseo — the sacred ground of happy self-governance in Korea' a reality, a place where local governments from across the country come to learn innovative administration."

Kim Yong-pan, who took office as Dalseo-gu district mayor in Daegu for the ninth directly elected term, made the remarks in an interview Monday, adding that he would "create tangible change by practicing a lifestyle and welfare administration that looks only to the 530,000 residents of this district."

Kim, a former member of the 21st National Assembly, described himself as a "hands-on administrator" who would resolve local issues by drawing on the experience and broad network he built in the Assembly and the central government. He outlined "respect, strictness, cooperation, empathy and trust" as the five guiding principles of his administration, saying, "Residents must always be at the center of governance."

The following is an edited transcript of the interview with Dalseo-gu District Mayor Kim Yong-pan.

— You have taken office as the ninth directly elected Dalseo-gu district mayor after serving as a National Assembly member. What are your thoughts?

▶ First of all, I feel a profound sense of responsibility. I will devote all my energy to carrying out the residents' firm mandate — to change and reform a stagnant Dalseo without losing sight of my original intentions. I will actively draw on the experience I built through securing national budget allocations and legislative work during my time in the Assembly, as well as my cooperative network with the central government, to resolve local issues. I will secure new growth engines for Dalseo-gu's future by working with the Daegu city government and the central government, and I will make sure residents feel the change.

— What is the core direction of governance for the ninth directly elected term?

▶ The ninth term will pursue the vision of "Happy Dalseo Together," advancing six areas of innovation and three core campaign pledges without wavering. Plans include reforming administrative culture, transforming the Seoseo Industrial Complex into DS Valley, turning local festivals into economic festivals, creating healing spaces, innovating resident welfare and improving the educational environment. The three core tasks are the seamless construction of the new Daegu city hall, realizing the best happy self-governing city in Korea, and delivering resident-centered lifestyle welfare administration — and I will make sure we deliver results on all three.

— You have expressed strong commitment to building the new Daegu city hall.

▶ The new Daegu city hall is not simply an administrative building — it is a key growth hub that will determine the next 100 years of Daegu's future. Only by proceeding on schedule without a hitch can we secure development of the surrounding area and new growth engines for Dalseo-gu. I will also work hard to expand the transportation, commercial and lifestyle infrastructure linked to the new city hall. I will concentrate all my efforts on ensuring the project moves forward without wavering, working closely with the Daegu city government and actively leveraging my network with the central government.

— What change will residents feel most directly?

▶ The first priority is to reform administrative culture and deliver efficient, trustworthy governance. Through field-centered administration that communicates directly with residents, I will resolve everyday inconveniences and complaints quickly. I will strengthen lifestyle welfare services and improve quality of life by expanding healing spaces such as parks and walking trails. I will develop local festivals into economic festivals that revitalize alley commerce and the local economy, creating change that residents can feel.

— What is your vision for innovating the Seoseo Industrial Complex?

▶ The Seoseo Industrial Complex is the core pillar of Dalseo-gu's economy. I will transform the aging complex into a future-oriented "DS Valley" where cutting-edge industries, residential areas and culture coexist, creating an environment where businesses can thrive. I will build an industrial ecosystem where young people want to work and stay, attracting talented individuals and creating quality jobs. Through this, I will breathe new vitality into the local economy and develop the complex into a leading growth hub representing Daegu.

— What do you see as Dalseo-gu's unique competitive strengths?

▶ Dalseo-gu is the central living zone of Daegu, a city with outstanding lifestyle infrastructure and high growth potential. The addition of the new Daegu city hall and industrial complex innovation will secure new growth engines. A well-balanced transportation, education, culture and welfare infrastructure is also a major strength. Above all, the greatest asset is the high level of civic participation and community capacity of residents who work together for local development.

— Finally, what would you like to say to residents?

▶ The great transformation of Dalseo, my hometown, cannot be achieved by one person alone. I believe it is only possible when we work together with residents. I hope residents will become partners in this journey. I will run an administration that always communicates with residents, grounded in respect, empathy and trust. I will prove every campaign pledge through action and results. I will make Dalseo a place where all residents can feel the change and take pride. I will make "Dalseo — the sacred ground of happy self-governance in Korea" a reality that local governments from across the country come to learn from.