Governor Won Hee-ryong has begun his second term. He is promising to focus on better communication with his constituents and tighter cooperation with other officials over the next four years. Mike Balfour reports.

Governor Won Hee-ryong held a press conference in lieu of an inauguration ceremony on the day his second term began.

[slug]
Press conference at provincial office

The independent governor emphasized and frequently referred to “citizens” at his inaugural address.

Recording
Won Hee-ryong / Governor
I’m the governor, but the citizens own the province. They have the real power, and they are the reason the provincial administration exists.
<씽크:원희룡 지사>
"제주특별자치도지사로서 일을 함에 있어서 도민이 도정의 주인입니다. 도정의 목적도 도민입니다. 도정의 힘도 도민입니다."

[slug]
‘I will work more closely with others’

He promises cooperation with others including Seoul and political parties for a better Jeju.

The ruling party seized the seats at the provincial council and the National Assembly. Therefore Won needs to overcome his limitation as an independent governor.

[slug]
‘Better communication on policy changes, new projects’

He adds that his office will increase efforts to communicate with residents.

During his first term, Won pushed for hasty changes in the transportation and trash management systems without obtaining a consensus from residents. There were harmful side effects.

He promises to seek public input as his office did for the for-profit foreign hospitals. Won also vowed new approaches to resolve the conflicts over the island’s second airport and the military base in (강정) Gangjeong.

Recording
Won Hee-ryong / Governor
I’ll make every effort to listen to residents from different backgrounds and engage in real communication.
<씽크:원희룡 지사>
"각계각층의 도민의 실상과 의견을 충분히 주고받을 수 있도록 형식을 가리지 않고 실질적 소통에 노력을 다하겠습니다."

He also said he would reshuffle the provincial administration.

He plans to enhance the involvement of the private sector in the administration.

[Reporter] Mike Balfour
[Camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon

Following the provincial elections, islanders are now looking at who’s going to be selected as mayors of Jeju and Seogwipo cities.

Mike Balfour, KCTV