Kim Hee-chan inaugurated as Seogwipo Mayor

Kim Hee-chan, a former Director of the Jeju Tourism Exchange Bureau, was inaugurated as the 15th administrative mayor of Seogwipo on September 28. With 31 years of experience in local administration, including roles as the head of the World Heritage Office and Director of Culture, Tourism, and Sports for Seogwipo, Kim is considered an administrative expert.

During his inauguration, Kim emphasized that the role of mayor is a position of responsibility to deliver results for citizens' lives rather than a position of authority. His administration plans to focus on revitalizing the local economy, strengthening tourism competitiveness, enhancing primary industry competitiveness, and improving community-based administrative services.

The appointment comes at a time when Seogwipo faces calls to address regional imbalances. While the city has seen quantitative growth in population and Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) since the establishment of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province in 2006, residents have expressed concerns regarding disparities in education, healthcare, and administrative resources compared to Jeju City.