Despite the pain of a failed nomination bid, Choi continues to serve residents through college entrance seminars, a garden festival and a new disability shelter — staying busy until the very last day of his term
"Bent, but never broken."
Yeongdeungpo-gu Mayor Choi Ho-kwon, who suffered an unexpected setback when he failed to secure his party's nomination ahead of the June 3 local elections, has drawn attention for pressing ahead with his administrative duties without missing a beat through the final stretch of his term.
Politically speaking, few would have blamed him for losing heart. He had been mentioned as a candidate for the primary election but ultimately did not receive the nomination. Yet Choi has not stepped away from the job — he has stayed close to residents and quietly carried out his responsibilities.
"Most people in his position would have lost their drive, but watching him tend to the community right to the end made me think he's a true public servant," said one Yeongdeungpo-gu resident. "The phrase 'unbowed district mayor' came to mind — bent, but never broken."
The resident also expressed hope that another door might open for Choi in his political career.
His recent schedule looks nothing like that of an outgoing local chief executive.
On Saturday morning, he attended a college entrance strategy seminar for the 2027 academic year at Brighton Library in Yeouido.
The seminar was organized to give students and parents accurate information about changes to the college admissions system and help them build tailored application strategies.
"We put this together so that students and parents can prepare for the future step by step, armed with accurate information about the admissions process," Choi said. "I hope this session becomes a solid stepping stone toward each student's success."
The day before, on Friday, Choi attended the opening ceremony of the third annual Yeongdeungpo Garden Festival, "Garden Picnic," at Yeongdeungpo Park, where he met with residents.
Now in its third year, the festival runs through Monday and features a range of programs — a picnic sports day, a Seoul-style kids cafe, a garden library and cultural performances.
"I hope residents can step away from their busy daily lives, enjoy the atmosphere of the garden and savor a little leisure — like a picnic," Choi said. "I hope families create special memories together."
He has also been out in the field in other ways. He recently visited Bamseom island and joined workers in removing invasive plant species, sickle in hand, sweating through the midday sun in work clothes — a sight that became a talking point among residents.
On June 8, the district opened a new disability shelter in Dorim-dong, designed to expand social participation for people with disabilities and give their caregivers a place to rest.
The two-story facility, with a total floor area of 260 square meters, includes a screen park golf course, a multipurpose program room and a lounge, and will serve as a leisure and social space for people with disabilities.
On June 5, Choi attended the 31st World Environment Day commemoration at the central plaza of Dangsan Neighborhood Park, where he stressed the importance of carbon neutrality and environmental protection.
Across all of this, his focus has remained the same: tending to the community until the very end, regardless of the election outcome.
Residents have always been at the center of his governing philosophy.
Throughout his term, Choi personally handed out business cards to residents with a KakaoTalk QR code that connected them directly to him. Residents could send complaints and suggestions at any time, and he made a point of responding personally whenever possible.
"You have to talk directly with residents to truly understand the problem," he has said repeatedly.
The brand of local governance Choi pursued was never about grand politics. It was closer to everyday administration — listening to residents, solving problems and reporting the results back to the community. Perhaps for that reason, many in the district describe him more as a public administrator than a politician.
"Mayor Choi has a gentle manner and soft-spoken style, but his drive and sense of responsibility are exceptionally strong," said one Yeongdeungpo-gu official. "It was impressive to see him stay steady and fulfill his role even in difficult circumstances."
Good politics is judged at the ballot box, but good governance lives on in the memories of residents. As his term draws to a close, the final chapter of Choi Ho-kwon's tenure is earning its own verdict from the people of Yeongdeungpo — separate from any election result. How his determination and sense of duty, sustained to the very end despite political disappointment, will be remembered by the district's residents remains to be seen.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
