Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
I personally agree with the rights of homosexuals. But the Protestant churches are very powerful in Korea. It isn't easy for politicians.
There is a tendency to attack some particular group of people and scapegoat them, but this is not the right attitude to cope with epidemics.
One of my philosophies is that citizens are the mayor... so we have citizens play an integral role in making policies and implementing them.
The parties are all trying to reinvent themselves. I believe this upheaval is destined to take the country's fate into a different direction.
For resident stability, I fully agree with the government's stance that stabilizing the housing market should be the first and foremost step.
If we discover niche services that have been overlooked in our society, we can create many jobs for the unemployed, retired and young people.
In Seoul, there are plans to create a blockchain ecosystem to make it a city that will be recognized as the center of blockchain in the world.
I think that continuity is the most important way to create a city that functions properly and has a competitive edge in the international era.
We believe open data helps citizens have a better understanding about Seoul's policies and motivates them to join the city government's efforts.
Seoul promises to make a big investment in the transition of ecology and civilization that will transform the green crisis into a green opportunity.
Seoul will build more resource recovery facilities and establish new recycling facilities with the aim of achieving zero landfills of domestic waste.
We have many different kinds of global centers like the global business center or the special center for Mongolian and Central Asian residents in Seoul.
We will strengthen crackdown on illegal renovations and enforce a restitution of large-scale development gains to better stabilize the real estate market.
By solving housing and childcare problems, we will achieve a society where each person can properly invest in their development and realize their full potential.
Coronavirus is constantly attacking society's vulnerable classes and spaces. We must shake off the fantasy that we can go back to the past we were accustomed to.
It's in the hands of activists to expand the universal concept of human rights to include homosexuals. Once they persuade the people, the politicians will follow.
It's problematic when we have excessive numbers of police taking over the streets. People visiting Seoul for the first time might think... this is a military state.
When foreign tourists come to Seoul, they will likely want to experience the city more. The city combines past, present and future landscapes that cannot be found elsewhere.
We will maintain the city as a slaughter-free place to promote the dignity of animal coexistence. If Seoul slaughter activity occurs again, we will use all means to block it.
Blockchain is an innovative technology with the power to change society and is gaining the world's attention as a technology to enhance the competitiveness of the urban economy.
As politics is not subtraction but addition, those who share views and ideas need to join forces and they have to cooperate with political opponents even after they win an election.
When we travel to other countries, the Internet speed is so much slower. So I think in terms of technology, 5G and Internet speed, Korea has an absolute advantage over other countries.
With the Korean economy faltering, Seoul City will do its best to address problems regarding people's economic livelihoods - the most important part of this effort being public housing.
By applying blockchain technology to voting platforms, we can prevent tampering with online voting, which will increase confidence in the voting results of voters and residents in Seoul.
As the nation is aware, I have been doing charity movements through the Beautiful Foundation and Beautiful Stores, and carrying out projects to promote hope and governance of our society.
Seoul will do what it can do, such as letting citizens participate in cutting energy use or in producing more of their own energy. This is how we can thwart the increase in nuclear plants.
Seoul will co-operate with the national government so that the 2032 Summer Olympics become something more than a sports festival - an opportunity to change the fate of the Korean Peninsula.
Since the inauguration of Mr. Lee Myung-bak, I was very much disappointed with his politics and policies. Not only in economics, but also in many social and political issues, he made many mistakes.
The Seoul city government has been cooperating with the central government to stabilize the housing market, and we plan to brainstorm all possible ways with the government to better counter the issue.
We hope that the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates will help us to promote Seoul as a symbol of peace beyond war and division in order to attract global attention to peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Seoul citizens are becoming the owners of solar power plants by directly participating in solar generation through installation of mini solar photovoltaic, energy cooperative activities, or raising solar funds.
Seoul has many good tourism resources, including nature, history and people. To take advantage of these, we have to make efforts, to preserve nature, restore historic properties and support the nation's dynamic culture and art.
The main issue of cities is to tackle climate change and it is the issue of the current and next generations. Sustainability cannot be emphasized too much and I have designated the issue of climate change as the most important to solve.
After the 1970s, we accomplished economic development rapidly. But the side effect of that was high stress levels or the gap between the rich and poor. And these issues call on me to focus on the welfare and quality of life of the citizens.
If the 1988 Seoul Olympics was 'reconciliation Olympics' amid the cold war between East and West and the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics was a touchstone of peace, the 2032 Olympics will be promoted to become the last stop to establish the peace.
Korea remains in a very difficult position, politically, diplomatically and economically. Thus, it is very important to strike a balance with global powers. How well balanced Korea will be will determine what kind of roles we could play in the future.
Our respect for culture and diversity and arts is very low because we only focused on building the economy. But now as we have reached modernization... many citizens can display their potential for arts and culture and I believe that's why Psy has become so popular.
Many homosexual couples in Korea are already together. They are not legally accepted yet, but I believe the Korean Constitution allows it. We are guaranteed the right to the pursuit of happiness. Of course, there may be different interpretations to what that pursuit means.
In the journey to peace and to reunification, I always emphasize that we are not climbing just one mountain, we are climbing a range of mountains and, of course in this process, we will face a lot of difficulties. However, peace will be settled and the two Koreas will achieve reunification.
Most of the job on DDP was already done by the time I became mayor. So was Gwanghwamun Square, described by many architects as the city's worst architectural creation, and the new city hall. I did not think that redoing them would be the right approach as that would only create new problems.
I published a thesis about animal rights when I was studying in England in 1991. Back then, I was a human rights lawyer and people condemned me for talking about animal rights when human rights are still not guaranteed. However, human rights are guaranteed in a society where animal rights are secured.