S. Chungcheong Gov. Park takes notes on lawmakers' speeches, vows to include governor's office in assembly briefings

"The honorable Assembly member Lee Ji-yun spoke about an AI-based odor detection system… Assembly member Choe Gyeong-hwan said Taean has dedicated and sacrificed itself for the nation… Assembly member Pyeon Sang-beom raised the issue of marine debris crossing municipal boundaries…"

At the 370th plenary session of the South Chungcheong Provincial Assembly on July 14, an unusual scene unfolded during the first provincial briefing of the ninth elected administration. Gov. Park Soo-hyun pulled out two sheets of notes and began reading back the remarks of 11 lawmakers who had spoken on the floor, calling each by name.

Park said he had "carefully noted, word by word, every remark made by the lawmakers who gave the first five-minute speeches," adding that "every official in South Chungcheong Province and I will actively reflect the lawmakers' words in provincial governance." He then said he would include the governor's secretariat in the scope of provincial assembly briefings and attendance requests, adding that "before the honorable South Chungcheong Provincial Assembly asks, the province wants to propose this proactively and set an example."

It was the first moment Park's ninth-term governing vision of "Connected Chungnam" took shape in the assembly chamber. In an interview immediately after the plenary session, Park said that while "some may call it a show, if that show continues for four years, it becomes sincerity." When asked whether cross-party cooperation is easy to talk about but hard to deliver, he said "the public's expectations are surprisingly modest" and that "the problem lies with politicians who fail to meet even those modest expectations."

Throughout his campaign, Park promoted what he called a "bamboo joint theory" — emphasizing continuity and development over rejection of his predecessor. Just as bamboo grows, forms a joint, and then grows again from that point, he pledged to build on the achievements of former Gov. Kim Tae-heum, his rival in the race. In an interview in May, while still a candidate, Park said: "The basic principle is to build my administration on top of Gov. Kim's four years. Carrying forward what was done well and filling in what fell short is the responsible approach."

His victory banners also carried the message: "Gov. Kim Tae-heum, thank you for your hard work over the past four years. We will move toward a newer South Chungcheong together with the people" — a public show of respect toward his opponent. After losing to People Power Party candidate Jeong Jin-seok in the Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang races in 2016 and 2020, Park had put up banners reading: "Thank you so much. Congratulations on your election — please take good care of Gongju, Buyeo and Cheongyang."

Park also decided to keep the three-dimensional "Powerful Chungnam" signs mounted above both entrances of Hongbuk Tunnel — the main gateway to the provincial government complex and Naepо new town. "Powerful Chungnam, the Strength of Korea" was the governing vision of the eighth elected administration. The decision breaks with the convention of replacing outgoing signage to coincide with a new governor's inauguration. Park said "we decided to pursue both 'Powerful Chungnam' and 'Connected Chungnam' as goals for the ninth term, so I ordered that the signs not be taken down," adding that "not needlessly replacing the office furnishings and official vehicles was also meant to demonstrate our commitment to administrative continuity and budget savings."

"Boldly carrying forward what deserves to be carried forward, and honestly supplementing what needs to be supplemented — that is responsible governance for the people," Park said. "Good policy knows no distinction between predecessor and successor, or between ruling and opposition parties. Policies that the people of South Chungcheong need will be continued without wavering."

He added that he would continue to pursue the Chungnam National University Naepо campus, development of the defense industry, relocation of public institutions, and a just transition for regions affected by the closure of coal-fired power plants. "In particular, the industrial foundation and large-scale investment plans established during the eighth term will be connected to the ninth term's AI transformation strategy to produce even greater results," he said.