Born and raised in Incheon, Yoo Jeong-bok has been the Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City since July 2014. He has also been the President of South Korea’s Governors Association since October 2015.
Education
Doctoral Program in Political Science, Yonsei University.
Master in Public Administration, Seoul National University.
BA in Political Science, Yonsei University.
Experience
Oct 2015-present
President of Governors Association, Republic of Korea
July 2014-present
Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea
Mar 2013-Mar 2014
Minister of Security and Public Administration, Republic of Korea
Jan 2013
Vice Chairman, Presidential Inauguration Committee for President Park
May 2004-Mar 2014
Member of the 17th-19th National Assembly, Republic of Korea
Aug 2010
Minister of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Republic of Korea
April 1998
Mayor of Gimpo City, Gyeonggi-do (the first & youngest mayor)
July 1995
Mayor of Gimpo County, Gyeonggi-do (first to be elected by popular vote)
Mar 1995
Mayor of Seo-gu, Incheon (youngest mayor)
Jan 1994
Mayor of Gimpo County, Gyeonggi-do (youngest mayor)
Areas of Expertise
Chairperson of the 1st Policy Coordination Committee
Secretary of Special Committee on Local Administration Reform
Chief of Staff to Leader of the Grand National Party, Park Geun-hye (2005)
What have been the main lessons you have learned in your career and how do you implement them in your management?
I think the most basic and important principle of administration is “focusing on consumers.”
A region develops and its residents become happy when the administration focuses on the “consumers,” the residents, instead of the suppliers. In order to run a resident-focused administration, I always endeavor to visit places and communicate with residents.
Mentors
My mother, who successfully raised her seven children, including me, despite the hardships of the Korean War. Just as there is a saying, “Women are weak but mothers are strong,” my mother has put all of her efforts into the education of her children. Earnestness, honesty, and trust were her words to live by. Her virtues of modesty and sharing are what I have lived by my entire life.
Quotes
“Self-improvement to bring peace to others,” from the Analects of Confucius of the Ancient China, is the quote I live by. As self-evident as it is, it means to live my life to serve for the happiness of the residents of the city. Right now, it is my duty to serve the 3 million citizens of Incheon City.
