Han Kuo-yu Sworn In as Kaohsiung Mayor|韓國瑜就職典禮 首開先例選在愛河畔

Han Kuo-yu was sworn in as Kaohsiung City mayor on Dec. 25. The inauguration was set on the banks of Love River, and Han and his wife took a sightseeing boat to reach the venue. In his inaugural speech, Han reiterated he will focus on the economy and bilingual education. He also cleared up rumors about the cost of the ceremony, saying he will foot the bill for any expenses that exceed the budget.


Han Kuo-yu arrived at his inauguration on the shore of Love River in a sightseeing boat. He was not wearing his customary blue shirt. Instead, he and his wife were dressed in more formal attire. Supporters cheered on the couple as they reached their destination.

Let spring start from Kaohsiung.

Han accepted the seal of the Kaohsiung City Government, and opened his inaugural speech by reading a poem by poet Yu Kwang-chung, "Let Spring Start from Kaohsiung." During the speech, Han reiterated the political views he had first proposed during his election campaign, saying he would focus on the economy and bilingual education.

We must thoroughly implement Chinese-English bilingual education to ensure the next generation of Kaohsiung's children will have international fields of view and the ability to be global citizens. It may not be necessary for Kaohsiung's next generation to have to leave their homes.

To emphasize the need for bilingual education, part of Han's speech was in English. He said one year ago, no one believed he would be standing on this stage today, and he feels honored to have the privilege to turn the impossible into the possible. The 2,000 guests who attended the ceremony included business leaders; Kuomintang Chairperson Wu Dun-yih, the only former Kaohsiung City mayor in attendance; and former Kaohsiung County Magistrate Yang Chiu-hsing. Han also clarified facts about the cost of the ceremony amid rumors of extravagance.

There was never any intention to turn this into a lavish ceremony. Your city government budgeted NT$ 980,000. Okay, that's the budget, we got it. If that is insufficient, then I am willing to dip into my own pocket. This is all very simple. We don't know where these rumors came from.

The second phase of the city's light rail construction project is currently in progress. Han said he believes the benefits are not sufficient and therefore work will be suspended. This became his first major policy declaration as mayor.