A new era doesn't come from nothing. New thoughts, values and methods will be established after overcoming various hurdles on the way.
Park Won-soon
As politics is not subtraction but addition, those who share views and ideas need to join forces and they have to cooperate with political opponents even after they win an election.
Urban planning should be done with the mindset that we are determining the city's fabric for 100 years to come.
Blockchain is an innovative technology with the power to change society and is gaining the world's attention as a technology to enhance the competitiveness of the urban economy.
The access to clean air and clean water is a basic right.
We will strengthen crackdown on illegal renovations and enforce a restitution of large-scale development gains to better stabilize the real estate market.
Seoul strives to make an environment that is safe for foreign residents and also where they can succeed as well.
When we travel to other countries, the Internet speed is so much slower. So I think in terms of technology, 5G and Internet speed, Korea has an absolute advantage over other countries.
If we discover niche services that have been overlooked in our society, we can create many jobs for the unemployed, retired and young people.
The influence of culture and arts is much larger than the influence of economy sometimes.
Coronavirus is constantly attacking society's vulnerable classes and spaces. We must shake off the fantasy that we can go back to the past we were accustomed to.
Seoul is becoming a global city.
I published a thesis about animal rights when I was studying in England in 1991. Back then, I was a human rights lawyer and people condemned me for talking about animal rights when human rights are still not guaranteed. However, human rights are guaranteed in a society where animal rights are secured.
We believe open data helps citizens have a better understanding about Seoul's policies and motivates them to join the city government's efforts.
Seoul will build more resource recovery facilities and establish new recycling facilities with the aim of achieving zero landfills of domestic waste.
Sometimes even my old friends are against me. But it's important to face your opposition and hear them out.
By solving housing and childcare problems, we will achieve a society where each person can properly invest in their development and realize their full potential.
Seoul citizens are becoming the owners of solar power plants by directly participating in solar generation through installation of mini solar photovoltaic, energy cooperative activities, or raising solar funds.
By applying blockchain technology to voting platforms, we can prevent tampering with online voting, which will increase confidence in the voting results of voters and residents in Seoul.
The parties are all trying to reinvent themselves. I believe this upheaval is destined to take the country's fate into a different direction.
Seoul will strictly limit the total greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and expand the construction of zero-energy buildings.
I personally agree with the rights of homosexuals. But the Protestant churches are very powerful in Korea. It isn't easy for politicians.
Hope does not fall from the sky. We create hope ourselves.
Transparency increases credibility and accountability.
The Seoul city government has been cooperating with the central government to stabilize the housing market, and we plan to brainstorm all possible ways with the government to better counter the issue.
Yongsan Garrison is an important venue representing Korea's modern history which will be preserved.
Seoul will co-operate with the national government so that the 2032 Summer Olympics become something more than a sports festival - an opportunity to change the fate of the Korean Peninsula.
Humans can't live independently. We should work together and dream together.
I am kind of an idealist but I became a DUP member because I believe politics should have a footing in harsh reality.
Being elected as Seoul Mayor came to me like God's calling.
As the nation is aware, I have been doing charity movements through the Beautiful Foundation and Beautiful Stores, and carrying out projects to promote hope and governance of our society.
Many homosexual couples in Korea are already together. They are not legally accepted yet, but I believe the Korean Constitution allows it. We are guaranteed the right to the pursuit of happiness. Of course, there may be different interpretations to what that pursuit means.
We hope that the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates will help us to promote Seoul as a symbol of peace beyond war and division in order to attract global attention to peace on the Korean Peninsula.
In the journey to peace and to reunification, I always emphasize that we are not climbing just one mountain, we are climbing a range of mountains and, of course in this process, we will face a lot of difficulties. However, peace will be settled and the two Koreas will achieve reunification.
With regard to the 5G market, China is rather a competitor than a partner.
For me personally, it is one of my biggest priorities to build a sustainable city that can respond properly to the climate change.
It's in the hands of activists to expand the universal concept of human rights to include homosexuals. Once they persuade the people, the politicians will follow.
We have many different kinds of global centers like the global business center or the special center for Mongolian and Central Asian residents in Seoul.
Touring Seoul is like an onion that you keep peeling away layer after layer.
When foreign tourists come to Seoul, they will likely want to experience the city more. The city combines past, present and future landscapes that cannot be found elsewhere.
The main issue of cities is to tackle climate change and it is the issue of the current and next generations. Sustainability cannot be emphasized too much and I have designated the issue of climate change as the most important to solve.
It's problematic when we have excessive numbers of police taking over the streets. People visiting Seoul for the first time might think... this is a military state.
I oppose discrimination against homosexuals, but I do not support them, either.
We need to put priority on addressing issues related to people's daily lives and their economic hardships.
There are many challenges ahead, and one of the most important ones I face is ensuring the future sustainability of our city.
One of my philosophies is that citizens are the mayor... so we have citizens play an integral role in making policies and implementing them.
Predicting and responding to the global economy will be the biggest challenge.
Korea remains in a very difficult position, politically, diplomatically and economically. Thus, it is very important to strike a balance with global powers. How well balanced Korea will be will determine what kind of roles we could play in the future.
In the past, we had several dog butcher shops in Cheongnyangni, but I closed almost all of them down through various measures.
I believe in building a peaceful world that is also a safe place for animals.
