"You're always the same" — that was the compliment Gangseo-gu District Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon received from an attendee at the 23rd Disability Inclusion Festival held Friday.
The remark reflected what many see in Jin: a district mayor of genuine sincerity whose character is apparent even to those meeting him for the first time.
Jin visited the festival, held at Banghwa Neighborhood Park, and spent time with residents with disabilities.
Jin greeted attendees one by one and posed for photos with them. When taking pictures with wheelchair users, Jin bent down to meet them at eye level.
The event, organized by the Gangseo-gu Federation of Organizations for People with Disabilities, drew about 900 participants, including people with disabilities and their families. Han Jeong-ae, a lawmaker representing the Gangseo-byeong constituency and secretary-general of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Jin Seong-jun, a lawmaker representing the Gangseo-eul constituency and chair of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, also attended.
The first part of the program featured a pre-ceremony performance and a welfare support grant presentation. The second part included cultural and arts performances and a talk concert aimed at breaking down social prejudice and discrimination against people with disabilities.
Activity booths around the venue offered experiences such as hanbaduk — a traditional Korean target game — sign language lessons and stamp-making.
"Thanks to residents who greeted me with such bright smiles on a beautiful sunny day, it has been an even more uplifting day," Jin said. "I will always stand alongside people with disabilities in building a society free of discrimination and prejudice."
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