PARK WON-SOON

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.

Sometimes even my old friends are against me. But it's important to face your opposition and hear them out.

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.

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.

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.

It may sound like showing off, but I am good in communications and in creating harmony.

We will work as if the PyeongChang Olympics is jointly hosted by Gangwon Province and Seoul.

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.

Touring Seoul is like an onion that you keep peeling away layer after layer.

Citizens are the energy of Seoul.

What we have to learn from Singapore is multiculturalism or clearly having the aspect of a global city.

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.

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.

Hope does not fall from the sky. We create hope ourselves.

The parties are all trying to reinvent themselves. I believe this upheaval is destined to take the country's fate into a different direction.

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.

The central government wants to increase the number of nuclear power plants but we believe nuclear plants have their inherent problems.

If we discover niche services that have been overlooked in our society, we can create many jobs for the unemployed, retired and young people.

Urban planning should be done with the mindset that we are determining the city's fabric for 100 years to come.

Korea has a long way to go before ending corruption. But Mayor Goh has certainly taken an important step toward it.

There are many challenges ahead, and one of the most important ones I face is ensuring the future sustainability of our city.

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.

It is not easy, but young people have to learn languages.

Seoul is becoming a global city.

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.