Kim Yong-seo: "We Will Obtain WHO International Safe City Recertification"

Kim Yong-seo, Saenuri Party preliminary candidate for Suwon mayor, announced on the 14th that "in order to establish a social safety net where residents can live with peace of mind, we will obtain International Safe City recertification from the WHO Community Safety Promotion Cooperation Center (WHO CCCSP)."

Suwon received certification as an International Safe City in 2002, the first in Asia and the first in the Republic of Korea. In 2007, it also received consecutive Safe City certification, but it is currently known that there are difficulties in re-designation.

Kim, the preliminary candidate, stated, "Safety issues have become a matter of national paramount concern following the Sewol disaster," and pledged, "To alleviate the anxiety of Suwon citizens, we will obtain World Safe City certification."

To this end, Kim attended the '7th Asia Safe City Annual Conference' held at BEXCO in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 12th and met with world safety experts.

On this day, Kim met with Raippe Schvanstrom, director of the WHO Community Safety Promotion Cooperation Center; Jonathan Passmore, WHO Western Pacific Regional Office violence and injury prevention technical officer; Gultbrand Skjønberg, senior advisor of the WHO Safe Cities Cooperation Center; and Rupai, chairman of the Taiwan Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Association, and received explanations on preparatory measures needed for Suwon's re-designation as an International Safe City.

It is reported that Director Schvanstrom stated at this meeting that he would spare no support regarding Suwon's International Safe City recertification.