North Gyeongsang Province Gov. Lee Chul-woo delivers his inaugural address at Dongnak Hall of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Government building on Tuesday afternoon. [North Gyeongsang Province]
North Gyeongsang Province Gov. Lee Chul-woo delivers his inaugural address at Dongnak Hall of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Government building on Tuesday afternoon. [North Gyeongsang Province]

North Gyeongsang Province Gov. Lee Chul-woo officially launched his ninth-term administration Tuesday.

The inauguration ceremony, held Tuesday afternoon at Dongnak Hall of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Government building in Andong, drew about 800 attendees, including the heads of 22 cities and counties beginning their own ninth-term mandates and provincial assembly members. Held under the slogan "With the Strength of North Gyeongsang, a New Republic of Korea," the event brought together residents to share the province's bold vision for leading the nation forward.

The ceremony opened with a pre-event performance and proceeded through the national salute, a video retrospective of the province's governance, the inaugural oath, the inaugural address, a reading of a congratulatory message from the president, a video message from residents, a vision performance and a communal singing of the provincial anthem.

Immediately after the inaugural address, Lee's granddaughter took the stage to present him with a bouquet of flowers. The moment underscored his commitment to building a better North Gyeongsang together with the next generation that will lead the province's future.

"I have run without rest, driven by the desire to repay the grace I have received from the people of this province through my work, and that spirit will not change," Lee said.

He added that he would "devote this life I have been given a second chance at" to advancing key provincial priorities without wavering — including the administrative integration of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, the integrated new airport project, the fostering of AI and knowledge industries, and the laying of groundwork for fifth-generation industries — "to create a North Gyeongsang where residents are happy and that leads the Republic of Korea."

Before the ceremony, Lee began his official ninth-term schedule with a visit to the Loyalty Tower in Yecheon, paying his respects to patriots and fallen soldiers. He then visited the statue of former President Park Chung-hee in the Millennium Forest on the provincial government grounds.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com