Meet your new mayor: Yoo Jeong-bok
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In today’s letter, meet your new mayor, Yoo Jeong-bok, brought to you by Keonhee (Andrew) Ahn, SIW’s Editor in Chief.
Word Count: 484 / Time: 4 minute read.
On June 1, 2022, Yoo Jeong-bok was elected mayor of Incheon in the 8th local election. Yoo Jeong-bok is the first mayor of Incheon that was actually born in Incheon.
Yoo’s background:
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In his academic years. Yoo Jeong-bok went to Incheon Songrim Elementary School, Incheon Seonin Middle School, and Jemulpo High School.
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He obtained the title ‘the youngest in the country to pass the administrative exam’ at the age of 22. At the age of 36, he started as governor of Gimpo, served as the youngest mayor of Seo-gu in Incheon, and mayor of Gimpo. Known as a young and capable administrator, he led a splendid political life with a strong heart.
His strong connections to Incheon and capability to lead from such a young age distinguished him from other candidates.
Yoo Jeong-bok speaks to people in front of Gyesan Subway Station in Incheon's Gyeyang District (source: Yonhap News)
His five promises:
1. Jemulpo Renaissance (제물포 르네상스): After securing ownership of the 1.82 million square meters in the inner harbor owned by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the city was designated as a free economic zone and reviewed a project to develop it into a ‘Harbor City’ utilizing the tradition and history of the sea.
2. New Hong Kong City (뉴홍콩시티): Creating a global financial hub in Incheon that resembles Hong Kong.
3. Transportation infrastructure enhancement: Early opening of Incheon KTX, expansion of metropolitan transportation network, the underground nation of Gyeongin Expressway and Gyeongin Railway
4. Empathy welfare: ‘Incheon, where culture and art become daily life, a city of clean water life’, Incheon-type welfare and expansion of means of transportation for the mobility impaire
5. Environment: Termination of use of a landfill in the metropolitan area after securing an alternative landfill
Controversies and incidents:
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In 2016, the smart city that Incheon Metropolitan City was ambitiously promoting under the Yoo Jeong-bok system, turned out to be a scam played by lobbyists.
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Allegations of Yoo's connections to Park Geun-Hye and Choi Soon-sil.
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