"I will devote myself to legislative work with a heart faithful to the basics — chungeogeunbon (loyalty to fundamentals) — and never lose my sincerity toward residents."
Park Chun-sun, a Seoul Metropolitan Council member (People Power Party, Gangdong 2) known as the "Gangdong Mom," has returned to citizens as a second-term councilor. Above all, she expressed her gratitude to the residents of Sangil 1-dong and Myeongil 1 and 2-dong, who once again trusted and chose her.
Park believes her election was less an assessment of her as an individual and more a recognition of the achievements she has made over the past four years, working the field alongside residents to bring change to the region.
With that, she feels an even greater sense of responsibility, and is determined to continue field-centered legislative work that never loses the "initial resolve" she has always kept in mind and never misses even the smallest voices of residents.
"I will further develop what has been done well, look more carefully into what fell short, and create change that residents can feel," she said.
Among her legislative activities over the past four years, the achievement Park found most rewarding is that residents' long-cherished wishes were translated into actual policies and projects.
In particular, she explained that the environmental improvement of Godeokcheon Stream, the maintenance of the Han River waterfront space, the introduction of Seoul-style urban campuses and modular classrooms to relieve overcrowded classes at schools, the maintenance of Gwangnaru Han River Park and the establishment of a new sports facility (pickleball court), and improvements to local parks are achievements in tending to the neighborhood, created "Together & Value" with residents.
Another nickname for Park is the "infertility expert councilor." As part of Seoul's low birth rate policies, she personally launched infertility-overcoming policies and the Ai-somang (Child Hope) program, taking joy and reward in giving infertile couples the precious name of parents.
Ultimately, Park assessed these meaningful achievements as the result of connecting legislative and community activities to "benefit."
"Gangdong-gu is now facing an important period in which the city is rapidly changing alongside large-scale development. If living infrastructure cannot keep pace with that speed, residents' inconveniences could grow even greater," she said.
On Gangdong-gu's most urgent issues, Park emphasized expanding living infrastructure in transportation, education, environment, and welfare, and fully reflecting residents' opinions in the swift redevelopment and reconstruction process.
For this reason, she pledged responsible legislative work over the next four years so that residents can feel the change and benefits, through securing budgets and conducting field-centered inspections.
She pointed to raising the completeness of the residential environment as the top priority for the development of the Sangil and Myeongil area.
She explained that for urban development such as redevelopment and reconstruction to lead to improvements in residents' quality of life, transportation, education, green spaces, and living convenience facilities must be equipped together.
In particular, she explained that Myeongil-dong must pursue improvements to its aging residential environment, while Sangil-dong must simultaneously pursue the expansion of transportation and education infrastructure in line with its rapid population growth.
"Creating a city where residents want to live for a long time and a city good for raising children is the most important legislative goal," she said.
Park has also shown great interest in Seoul's low birth rate and population policy fields.
As a self-acknowledged and widely recognized "infertility expert" councilor, she has long met citizens in the field. Her legislative philosophy is embedded in connecting that experience to policy.
"I know well that opinions coming from the field are far more realistic and sustainable than policies made at a desk," she said.
The direction of Park's legislative work has always proceeded by meeting residents directly to identify problems and finding solutions together with relevant agencies. She plans to continue focusing on creating effective policies that citizens can feel, based on field experience and expertise.
"I will be a councilor who puts into action beneficial changes to residents' lives, not politics for show," she said.
The "Gangdong Mom," Seoul Metropolitan Council member Park Chun-sun, has always sought answers together with residents in the field and worked to resolve even small inconveniences responsibly to the end. For a better tomorrow and a Seoul where all citizens are happy, she is striving to walk steadily forward without losing her initial resolve.
