GURI — Kwon Bong-soo, former speaker of the Guri City Council, has taken office as the 13th president of the Guri Agricultural and Fisheries Products Corporation. With the corporation facing major tasks such as relocating its wholesale market and improving distribution structures, the appointment of a figure well versed in local administration is expected to accelerate those projects.
Guri Mayor Shin Dong-hwa presented the letter of appointment to Kwon at the mayor's office on the 21st. Kwon had faced intensive questioning at a City Council confirmation hearing on the 19th, where lawmakers examined his plans to revitalize the wholesale market, his ability to manage the corporation and his capacity to carry out the market relocation project.
The appointment process was completed after the council adopted a report finding him qualified and submitted it to the city government.
In his inaugural remarks, Kwon strongly emphasized field-centered management. At the confirmation hearing, he pledged to "build an efficient management and administrative system as president during the day, and at night walk the distribution sites for agricultural and fisheries products in person to listen to the voices of those working in distribution."
"Kwon is a proven talent who has accurately grasped and resolved local issues while serving in posts including council speaker," Shin said. "Based on close communication with merchants in the distribution sector, we expect him to lead the core tasks of relocating and revitalizing the Guri agricultural and fisheries wholesale market swiftly and smoothly."
Meanwhile, Guri has introduced a confirmation hearing system for heads of public institutions under the current, ninth term of its popularly elected local government (the system of direct local elections dating back to 1995), rigorously vetting candidates' job competence and integrity. The city says the system is intended to maximize transparency in personnel administration and actively guarantee citizens' right to know.