New Seoul mayor seeks cooperation from gov’t

By Park Si-soo

Seoul’s new mayor Park Won-soon has asked for support from the central government for the smooth management of Korea’s largest city of some 10 million people.

“I feel it will be difficult to manage Seoul without help from the central government,” Park said during his first appearance at a Cabinet meeting, Tuesday. “It seems likely that I will be seeking a lot of help.”

Park, as the unified candidate of liberal camp, was elected Seoul mayor on Oct. 26, defeating his rival Na Kyung-won of the ruling Grand National Party by a wide margin.

He has no attachment with a political party despite receiving numerous calls to join the main opposition Democratic Party.

“I found through the election that people have strong wish for change and better communication (with the government),” he told the Cabinet. “So I thought it would be good to reflect the people’s wishes and voice in running the government.”

He went on to say that he will try to govern the city in a way that materializes people’s wishes and hopes. “I’m a novice in city management. I will do my best and try to meet Cabinet members as many times as possible.”

Park participated in the meeting as an observer. He can speak during the meeting but has no right to participate in any decision-making processes.

Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik chaired the meeting since President Lee Myung-bak has left for Russia for a summit and will then head to France to attend a G20 meeting. Kim, on behalf of the Cabinet, congratulated Park on his election victory.

Park arrived at the government complex in central Seoul in a minivan, not the luxury sedan reserved for the mayor. He remained silent during the 55-minute meeting, according to participants.

In the meeting, Kim urged related ministers to make the utmost effort to prevent the spread of another possible outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Millions of cows and pigs were culled nationwide last winter due to an epidemic of the contagious animal disease.