Seoul to Host World’s First Online Mayoral Inauguration Ceremony

SEOUL, South Korea, November 16, 2011 -

The official inaugural ceremony of the 35th Mayor of Seoul, Park Won Soon, will be the first in Seoul’s history to take place exclusively online for 40 minutes from the mayoral office starting at 11 am on Wednesday, November 16.

The inauguration will be an open ceremony held under the slogan “Each Seoulite is a Seoul Mayor,” which highlights the priority the new mayor places on the participation of Seoul residents in his policies and plans. This kind of online inaugural ceremony is not just the first one in Seoul, but in the world.

This simple, inexpensive ceremony also reflects the new mayor’s belief that the government must make efforts to save as much taxpayer money as possible, in every area. By having the ceremony online, costs for venue rental and invitations will be saved.

Another first is that the inauguration will be broadcast online from Park’s office, giving the public an opportunity to see the newly opened mayoral office. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said that opening the mayoral office is a clear example of the respect, authority and privilege the new mayor grants his citizens. (mayor.seoul.go.kr for internet users; m.seoul.go.kr for mobile users).

On the day of the inauguration, everything from the mayor’s oath to his inaugural speech and Q&A session will be broadcast in real time online. Moreover, SMG will carry out a special campaign for the elderly unfamiliar with the Internet and for those who lack Internet access, so that they, too, can watch the inaugural ceremony. The campaign, under the theme “Watch the Inaugural Ceremony Together,” will encourage citizens to post pictures or videos of people watching the inauguration together on the website. After the online inauguration, the Mayor will move to Daehanmun Gate in front of Deoksugung Palace to meet with the citizens.

Mayor Park said, “This inauguration, which is out of the frame of conventional inaugural ceremonies and completed with the participation of citizens, will serve as an important symbol of transparent administration and citizen participation. It is one step in showing that I take my initial promise to make citizens owners of the city to heart.”

Contacts:

Seoul Metropolitan Government, Korea
Tel: +82-2-727-0024 / +82-2-3707-8768
Email: seoulpress@gmail.com

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