Seoul mayor vows to strengthen communication

By Na Jeong-ju

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon pledged Thursday to strengthen a two-way communication with citizens as well as public servants to develop better welfare policies for ordinary people.

On his first day in office, the civic activist-turned-mayor also said he would set up an advisory council including civic group leaders to create a policy roadmap.

Park won the mayoral election a day earlier as a unified candidate for liberals. He has succeeded conservative Oh Se-hoon, who resigned voluntarily in August after losing a referendum on an opposition-backed free school lunch program. His term will end on June 30, 2014.

“Seoul City experienced a lot of difficulties in the past due to lack of communication. I will talk with as many people as possible before making any decisions,” Park told reporters.

“We can create a better Seoul by working together. I will meet with people from all walks of life and listen.”

Asked if he would stop various engineering projects started under Oh to finance welfare programs, he said he would create a council comprising experts and people from all concerned groups to decide on their fate.

In his election campaigns, he criticized Oh’s development projects and vowed to strengthen a social safety net for the poor, senior citizens and children.

Park is expected to reshape the city government’s policy priorities to initiate more welfare programs.

During his first meeting with senior officials of Seoul City, he called for active communication with citizens.

“I know that all of you are talented and hard-working. To produce better results, we must listen to citizens and address their complaints and opinions,” Park said. “As Seoul mayor, I myself will meet you as often as I can to create better policies.”

Park also visited Democratic Party (DP) Chairman Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu to thank him for the party’s support in his campaigns. The mayor hoped his election victory will be an opportunity for the DP to become a better party supported by more citizens.

“I think my victory is significant for the future of liberals as well as civic groups. I hope the party will play an important role in expanding civic society,” Park said.