Inaugural Address
My fellow citizens, the 3.2 million people of Busan, I am Chun Jae-soo, the Mayor of Busan.
Today, July 1, 2026, marks the official launch of the 9th Popularly Elected City Administration of Busan. It is a new beginning for the next four years in Busan, a day that will ignite changes in the lives of our citizens and the future of the city. Mindful of the mandate entrusted to me by the people of Busan, I take my first steps as your Mayor today.
I have listened closely to the voices of citizens while visiting every corner of our city. I have heard the sighs of small business owners overwhelmed by hardship, the concerns of vacancies along our local commercial streets, the anxieties of our youth who find it difficult to make a living in Busan, and the pleas of parents facing the growing struggles of raising children. It is every single one of these voices that has brought me here today.
Every decision made by public officials directly touches the daily lives of the people and reshapes the future of Busan. The people of Busan have called on me to harness the power of policy and administration to safeguard the lives of our citizens who face the day-to-day challenges of life. I will always keep your solemn charge closest to my heart.
The 9th Popularly Elected Administration is rooted in the lives of every single citizen. By building a Busan that safeguards the daily lives of our citizens, a Busan that develops into a new growth engine for Korea, and a Busan where our youth desire to stay and return, we will unconditionally realize our vision “Maritime Capital Busan, Leading Tomorrow’s Transformation.”
First, we will make the livelihood of the public our top priority from day one.
Today, instead of holding an inauguration ceremony, my very first act was to sign the “100-Day Emergency Initiative for Public Livelihoods.” This initiative will provide breathing room for small business owners suffering from high interest rates, as well as self-employed individuals and truck drivers burdened by high oil prices and public utility rates. We will build an economic structure that revitalizes our local districts, turning the lights back on in vacant buildings and ensuring wealth circulates within our neighborhoods. Whenever our citizens face hardship, the city will always be the first to extend a helping hand.
Second, we will turn Busan into a new growth engine for Korea.
Becoming a Maritime Capital is our survival strategy, not a mere choice. The relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the establishment of the maritime court and the creation of a maritime enterprise cluster will help propel Busan into a global hub integrating maritime affairs, finance and logistics. As a smart maritime capital powered by AI technologies, Busan will emerge as a new growth engine for Korea, moving beyond the current capital-centric unipolar system.
Third, we will create a city where youth can craft their own future.
Young adults are leaving Busan because of a lack of opportunity. We will ensure that our youths experience Busan not merely as a place where they can simply live, but as a city where even greater opportunities are born. By seamlessly connecting jobs, industries, housing, and opportunities, we will allow the dreams of young people to drive Busan’s future.
Fourth, we will build a Busan where every citizen can enjoy daily life in a safe and caring manner.
We will build up Busan as a city where no one is injured on the job, where parents can raise their children with total peace of mind, where senior citizens can enjoy growing old in their familiar neighborhoods, and where the vulnerable face no discrimination. Safety and welfare are the fundamental duties of public administration, not optional privileges. We will pay close attention to the daily lives of each and every citizen and protect their peace of mind and security.
My fellow citizens of Busan
In this local election, the citizens deliberately chose a system of checks and balances. You elected me to become a mayor for all citizens of Busan, not a mayor for a single political party. I will give equal weight to the expectations of those who supported me and the concerns of those who did not.
Above all, I will put kindness first. True kindness stems from competence and humility. I will strive to be a mayor who serves every citizen with kindness. I will remain humble as I cooperate with the Busan City Council, the central government, the National Assembly, and civil society in order to forge an administration built on open communication and collaboration. I will reach out to you more often and listen closely to even the faintest voices. Any constructive idea that eases the inconveniences our citizens face will be actively adopted. Based on Busan’s accumulated capability, we will build on our strengths to make them even greater, while meticulously striving to overcome our weaknesses.
Dear citizens of Busan,
A mayor stands at the very forefront, safeguarding the lives of the people. It is also a role that firmly supports the changes people desire and serves as a reliable shield when they go through difficult times. I will work tirelessly to make the word “Busan” itself a source of pride, to inspire young people to lay down their roots here, to empower our children to dream bigger than ever before, and ultimately, to build a city where both people and opportunities converge.
From day one, I will put the public’s livelihood first and foremost, lay down a solid foundation for the future, and get Busan moving again.
Solely for Busan, Solely for our citizens, I will work day in and day out.
Thank you very much.
July 1, 2026
Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City Chun Jae-soo
