Choi Ho-jung, speaker of the 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council, choked back tears multiple times Thursday while delivering her opening remarks at the council's final plenary session, reflecting on four years of legislative work and expressing gratitude to Seoul residents.
Choi Ho-jung, speaker of the 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council who led the assembly through its latter half, drew attention Thursday when she broke into tears at the body's final plenary session.
Choi choked back tears multiple times during her opening remarks at the plenary session, which convened at 2 p.m. Thursday, as she looked back on four years of legislative activity and expressed her gratitude to Seoul residents.
"Dear citizens whom I respect and love, I am deeply grateful for the support and trust you have shown the Seoul Metropolitan Council over the past four years," she said, her eyes visibly welling up as emotion overcame her.
She continued: "Into the field, beside the citizens — that is the pledge we have repeated ten million times. The 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council, which has always wanted to stand closest to the citizens it loves, will keep the promises it made to the public through responsible governance to the very end, and close this chapter beautifully."
She was unable to hold back her tears as she reached the close of her remarks.
"Thank you. Every moment spent with you was happiness and an honor. I wish you all health and happiness in the days ahead. Thank you," she said, her voice breaking as she struggled to continue.
Assembly members and council secretariat staff in the chamber responded with applause to Choi's final farewell.
Her tears carried more weight than a simple display of emotion. They were widely read as reflecting four years of service as the first woman in the council's history to hold the speakership. Since taking office as speaker for the latter term, Choi had championed field-based governance and a council that communicates directly with citizens, driving change within the assembly.
"It appeared that the speaker was overcome with emotion as she expressed her gratitude to the citizens, assembly members and staff," a Seoul Metropolitan Council official said. "It was a meaningful moment marking the close of the 11th council."
With that, the 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council concluded its final session and passed into history. The 12th Seoul Metropolitan Council is set to launch in July, carrying on legislative work on behalf of Seoul residents for the next four years.
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