Gimhae Mayor Jung Youngdu Elected 4th Chair of Nakdonggang Council ... "Sustainable Development Beyond Friendly Cooperation"

Gimhae Mayor Jung Youngdu has been elected the next chair of the Nakdonggang Council at its regular meeting for the second half of the year, the city of Gimhae in South Gyeongsang Province said on October 30.

The Nakdonggang Council comprises seven local governments near the Nakdong River: Yangsan, Gimhae and Miryang in South Gyeongsang Province, and Buk-gu, Sasang-gu, Gangseo-gu and Saha-gu in Busan. It works to promote regional prosperity through cooperation centered on the Nakdong River, including developing the river as a tourism resource and devising plans for the development of the Nakdong River region.

Heads of organizations belonging to the Nakdonggang Council pose for a commemorative photo while holding hands at the regular meeting for the second half of 2026, which was also the first regular meeting of the ninth popularly elected term. [Photo provided by Gimhae City]

On October 28, the council held its regular meeting for the second half of the year in Yangsan City. It was also the first regular meeting since the launch of the ninth popularly elected term. At the meeting, Jung was unanimously elected the council's fourth chair.

As chair of the Nakdonggang Council, Jung will serve a two-year term from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2028.

"I would like to thank the mayor of Yangsan, who laid a solid foundation for the council as its inaugural chair, and the heads of the local governments who have placed their trust in me and nominated me," Jung said. "I feel a great sense of responsibility as I embark on a new chapter for the Nakdonggang Council alongside my fellow local government heads, who have come together anew for the ninth popularly elected term."

He added, "The Nakdong River is a lifeline that has sustained the lives of the seven local governments, as well as a precious shared asset that we must nurture and develop together. The Nakdonggang Council will look beyond simple friendly cooperation and carefully consider the way forward, doing its utmost to ensure that this precious resource leads to shared prosperity for all seven local governments and sustainable development that local residents can experience."

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