Meets Moon Jeong-soo, Park Heong-joon, Heo Nam-sik, Seo Byeong-su and Oh Geo-don

"Experience and policy assets of predecessors to be actively reflected in city administration"

Busan Mayor-elect Jeon Jae-soo (left) and former Busan Mayor Seo Byeong-su [Jeon Jae-soo transition committee]
Busan Mayor-elect Jeon Jae-soo (left) and former Busan Mayor Seo Byeong-su [Jeon Jae-soo transition committee]

Busan Mayor-elect Jeon Jae-soo said Sunday he had met with five former Busan mayors — Moon Jeong-soo, Park Heong-joon, Heo Nam-sik, Seo Byeong-su and Oh Geo-don — ahead of the launch of the ninth directly elected city administration, seeking their views on how to run the city and chart its future development.

It is the first time a Busan mayor-elect has personally sought out predecessors from the era of directly elected mayors to ask for their governing experience and policy advice. The move is seen as underscoring the values of administrative continuity and cooperative governance.

During the meetings, Jeon expressed high regard for the major policies and achievements each former mayor pursued during their respective tenures, and said he intended to actively draw on the accumulated experience and policy assets they represent in running the city.

Moon Jeong-soo, who served as the first directly elected mayor, stressed the importance of revitalizing the Busan International Film Festival, maintaining a citizen-centered presence on the ground, and delivering tangible results that residents can feel.

Park Heong-joon expressed interest in ensuring continuity on pending projects related to urban infrastructure development, while Heo Nam-sik urged close communication with the civil service.

Seo Byeong-su drew on his experience with the Northern Economic Cooperation Council, saying "Busan must grow into a leading city that drives the Donghae region," and also emphasized the city's role in nurturing local talent by strengthening the capabilities of public officials.

Oh Geo-don said that "to raise the profile of Busan as the maritime capital, it is crucial to expand the core infrastructure needed to boost the city's competitiveness — including attracting the headquarters of major conglomerates."

Jeon said, "Busan does not belong to any one generation or any one mayor — it belongs to all its citizens," adding that "respecting the achievements and experience of past administrations while preparing a new leap forward suited to the changing times is of the utmost importance."

He then said, "The times and the mayors may differ, but the goal of improving the lives of citizens remains the same," and pledged to "carry forward good policies, make up for what has been lacking, and build a better city administration for Busan."

Jeon also vowed to "continuously engage with a wide range of sectors — not only former mayors, but also regional elders, civil society, the business community and the youth — to design Busan's future together."


kaf2002@heraldcorp.com