▲ Inauguration Ceremony of Chungnam Governor Park Soo-hyun

Under the vision of 'Connecting Chungnam,' the 9th elected provincial administration has taken its first steps toward ushering in a new transformation and a bold future for the province, connecting with 2.2 million residents.

The goal is to develop Chungnam—which the previous administration established as the 'core base of South Korean industry'—into a global leader of the AI paradigm shift and the AI capital of South Korea.

Park Soo-hyun, the 40th Governor of Chungcheongnam-do, who will lead the 9th elected provincial administration, held his inauguration ceremony at the Provincial Office Culture and Art Hall on the 1st, publicly declaring the beginning of 'Connecting Chungnam.'

The inauguration ceremony proceeded with a screening of the 9th administration's vision video, the oath of office and inaugural address, the reading of congratulatory messages from President Lee Jae-myung and others, and a commemorative tree planting. The event was attended by over 1,000 people, including the province's seniors, veterans' families, women, youth, multicultural families, North Korean defectors, farmers, businesspeople, small business owners, National Assembly members, mayors and county governors of the 15 cities and counties, provincial council members, heads of various institutions and organizations, and provincial public officials.

During the event, notably in accordance with the "Practice of Loyalty, Filial Piety, and Courtesy, the Chungcheong Spirit"—which Governor Park signed as his ‘No. 1’ executive order before the ceremony—he entered holding the hands of the presidents of the senior citizens' and veterans' associations, guiding them to seats specially prepared next to the governor's seat.

In his inaugural address, Governor Park expressed his gratitude, stating, “I will never forget the passionate support and earnest desire for change, and I will approach the provincial administration with a heavy sense of responsibility.” He also stated from the outset his intention to carry forward the legacy of the previous administration, which transformed Chungnam into the ‘core base of South Korean industry.’

Following this, confronting the historical challenge of a civilizational shift centered on AI, he declared, “The 9th elected Chungnam administration will not stop at merely chasing change; we will become the ‘leader in the era of the AI paradigm shift,’ pioneering beyond South Korea to lead the world,” adding, “We will open an inclusive AI basic society where no one is left behind.”

Governor Park also emphasized that he will always base his administrative work in the field from start to finish, finding answers within the voices of the residents.

It is Governor Park's promise to completely overhaul the system so that voices from the field are reflected as the top priority of the administration. He pledged to engage in an inclusive, communicative administration by personally visiting places of conflict for dialogue and listening closely even to the quiet voices of marginalized neighbors.

Governor Park stated, “The new challenges and transformations of the 9th popularly elected Chungnam administration will not be unilaterally driven by the governor, but will be created together with you, the citizens.” He added, “Embodying this commitment, I proclaim the vision for the 9th provincial administration as ‘Connecting Chungnam, Together with the Citizens.’”

Under the provincial vision, he presented 7 major administrative goals to drive national growth: △ Chungnam Together with its Citizens △ Chungnam, the AI Capital of South Korea △ A Dynamic Innovative Economy △ An Inclusive Life Shared Together △ A Safe and Pleasant Environment △ Clean and Smart Farming and Fishing Villages △ An Affluent Chungnam Where People Want to Stay.

To realize a Chungnam together with the citizens, the door to the governor's office will remain open at all times, CCTV will be installed in the executive office, and even meetings and briefings will be recorded and transparently disclosed.

He also decided to focus on promoting the "Loyalty, Filial Piety, and Courtesy, the Chungcheong Spirit" movement. To put this into practice, the province will launch campaigns to display the national flag, honor the elderly and persons of national merit, and promote a youth 'diary of love' writing movement.

To realize Chungnam as the AI capital of South Korea, the province will immediately activate an unrivaled ecosystem for AI and semiconductors centered around the Chungcheong Regional Coalition to support the 392 trillion won investment to be injected into the region.

This signifies the intention to lead a mega-regional K-Semiconductor alliance that drives the economic growth of the southwestern region by uniting the Chungcheong region's world-class research and development (R&D) capabilities with its unrivaled advanced manufacturing infrastructure.

For a dynamic innovative economy, he emphasized, “We will solidify the foundation for future industries such as mobility, displays, and national defense, and complete an innovative ecosystem for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups,” adding, “We will provide substantial support to small business owners, self-employed individuals, and workers so that the lifeblood of the local economy flows vigorously.”

To guarantee an inclusive life shared together, the province will advance the expansion of childcare facilities, the creation of jobs for the elderly and disabled, and the establishment of the National Institute of Dentistry, while building a safe and pleasant environment through the construction of the Central Region East-West Transversal Railway and Seosan Airport, as well as by attracting public institutions.

Clean and smart agricultural and fishing villages will be realized by shifting the paradigm toward a people- and region-centric agricultural policy, alongside restoring happiness vouchers for female farmers and fishers, and expanding the basic income for rural communities.

Governor Park added, "We will develop regions affected by coal power plant closures into hubs for the renewable energy industry, and provide fair compensation and opportunities for job security to workers facing industrial transitions."

To create an affluent Chungnam where people want to stay, he stated that the province will complete a Chungnam-style nighttime economy and expand cultural and sports facilities, including a K-Culture convergence arena.

Governor Park promised, "The four years of my term will be a time to turn the worries of the provincial residents into hope, and promises into action," adding, "I will work with all my might so that, four years from now, I can earn resounding praise from our residents as a governor who swung wide open the doors to the era of the AI paradigm shift, and as an administration that genuinely changed the lives of the people."

Finally, Governor Park emphasized, "The 9th elected Chungnam provincial administration will be a participatory government led collectively by the provincial residents, public officials, the provincial council, the press, and the 15 cities and counties united as one," adding, "Together with the residents, I will build a new Chungnam where possibilities blossom and opportunities overflow, opening an era of a new and bold Chungnam."

Prior to the inauguration ceremony, Governor Park paid his respects at the Memorial Tower in the Naepo New City Veterans Park, praying for the well-being of the provincial residents and the development of Chungnam. Following a signing ceremony for his first official directive and his first on-site inspection, he met with the new leadership of the provincial council and promised to join forces for the progress of Chungnam.

Department in Charge Operations Support Division, General Affairs Team

Phone Number 041-635-2335