Uiseong's New Leadership Stands Before the Sages... Vows Responsible Governance in the 9th Civilian Administration

Commitment to Collaborative Governance Reaffirmed Through Hyanggyo Ritual
Presenting a Vision for the Future Linked to the Integrated New Airport

As the launch of the 9th civilian administration approaches, the new leadership of Uiseong held a traditional Hyanggyo ritual at Uiseong Hyanggyo, pledging to pursue responsible administration and collaborative governance for the residents.

Choi Yucheol, the elected mayor of Uiseong County (sixth from the right), along with provincial and county council officials, pledged 'responsibility in front of the residents' as the first step of the 9th local government term through the Hyanggyo Goryurae ceremony. [Photo by Uiseong Hyanggyo]

According to Uiseong Hyanggyo on June 24, Choi Yu-cheol, the elected mayor of Uiseong County, along with the elected members of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council and the Uiseong County Council, performed the ritual at the Daeseongjeon Hall of Uiseong Hyanggyo on June 23, reporting the new start of the 9th civilian administration and council activities to the sages of the past.

This ritual was attended not only by the mayor-elect but also by the newly elected provincial and county council members, serving as an occasion to reaffirm their shared commitment to leading the region’s development through mutual cooperation between the administration and the council in the future.

The Hyanggyo ritual is a traditional ceremony in which one informs the sages of one’s intentions when taking up a new position or before undertaking important affairs in the region.

It carries the meaning of reaffirming responsibility and a sense of mission. Uiseong Hyanggyo has long served as a representative venue for local Confucian culture and community spirit, accompanying major regional events and the inauguration of local leaders.

The event was hosted by General Affairs Director Shin Du-cheol, with opening remarks by Uiseong Hyanggyo Head Kim Yong-gu, an encouragement speech by Shin Seung-eop, President of the Sungkyunkwan Confucian Association, and congratulatory messages from former Hyanggyo Head Kim Young-bok and Kim Hee-yoon, head of the Manchwi-dang clan.

Choi Yu-cheol, the mayor-elect, served as the chief officiant, offering the first libation, while Gyeongbuk Provincial Council members-elect Choi Tae-rim, Kim Soo-moon, and Jang Eun-joo served as secondary officiants, presenting their tributes during the ceremony.

Approximately 100 people attended, including Jang Young-tae, former Deputy Director of Sungkyunkwan, former Hyanggyo Heads Kim Doo-yeon and Kim Young-bok, former Confucian Association President Bae Hyo-gil, Park Hae-yul, manager of Myeonggok Seowon, Oh Geol-su, manager of Ugok Seowon, as well as local Confucian scholars, family representatives, members of civic organizations, Hyanggyo council members, and Confucian association members, joining together to mark the new beginning of the 9th civilian administration.

Kim Yong-gu, Head of Uiseong Hyanggyo, remarked, "The Hyanggyo ritual is not a ceremony to celebrate an inauguration, but a way to pledge responsibility to the people and report this to the sages. I hope the new leadership will not lose their original intent and will lead regional development with an attitude of serving the residents."

Announcing the start of military and civil governance in Seonhyeon and confirming the will for cooperative governance, emphasizing future strategies linked to the integrated new airport
[Photo by Uiseong Hyanggyo]

Choi Yu-cheol, the mayor-elect, stated, "The 9th civilian administration faces a critical period that requires a new blueprint for Uiseong’s future competitiveness," adding, "We will create tangible changes and results for our residents by organically linking the integrated new airport, regional industries, and improvements to living conditions."

The fact that Uiseong's new leadership visited the Hyanggyo to report the start of administration to the sages before the official inauguration ceremony holds significance beyond the simple continuation of tradition.

The success of local autonomy depends more on responsibility than on authority, and more on cooperation than on competition.

With Uiseong facing the major national project of the integrated new airport, attention is focused on whether the 9th civilian administration, based on close cooperation between the administration and the council, can connect the region’s future to real engines of growth.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.