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Inaugural address

Hello. I'm Andrew Seo Dong-gyun, the new president.
I am very pleased to welcome all the distinguished guests and members who have joined us today to celebrate the inauguration of the 74th and 75th Presidents of the Busan Rotary Club. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of the district officers, including Mr. Kim Gyu-won, the representative of District 1, District 3661, who took time out of their busy schedules to grace this occasion. I also extend my gratitude to the District 1 president, general managers, the 77 Snake Club, Chief Park Cheol-jun of the Central Police Station's Police Affairs Division, and the police affairs staff for their attendance.
As you know, our Busan Rotary Club recently celebrated its 90th anniversary with great success. Exactly 30 years after Paul Harris founded Rotary in Chicago, Illinois, along with his colleagues Gustavus Loehr, Silvestar Schiele, and Hiram E. Shorey, in February 1905, the Busan Rotary Club was founded in Busan during the Japanese colonial period in June 1935 as the "Busan Rotary Club." This private service organization experienced liberation in 1945, the tragic fratricide of the Korean War in 1950, and the industrialization of the 1960s and 1970s, followed by democratization in the 1980s and 1990s. Having survived until 2025, we are the second oldest club in South Korea and one of the few in Asia with a deeply rich and proud history.
I am deeply honored and thrilled to be inaugurated as the 75th president of the Busan Rotary Club, a club with a long history and tradition spanning 90 years. This club's continued existence is entirely thanks to the contributions of many former members. One of them is my father, the late Hyungsan Seo Young-soo, the 51st president. I bow my head in gratitude to those who have shaped the remarkable history of the Busan Rotary Club, and I will do my best during my term to uphold their legacy.
Dear Busan Rotary Club members!
At one time, our club's conduct became the foundation of protocol, and our vocabulary and expressions became the standard for Rotary Korea. It's that honor that I, or rather, we, are now attempting to reclaim.
There are 10 years left.
Over the next 10 years, I want to make our Busan Rotary Club not just an old club, but the best club in Korea and Asia, with over 100 members and over 1 billion won in club volunteer work.
Busan Rotary Club members, please help us.
As we prepared for our 90th anniversary, didn't we personally experience how great we are? What we can do? With the same fervent spirit that marked our 90th anniversary, let's transform Busan Rotary. I will take care of everything that needs to be done during my term. I will do my best to pave the way for my successor to go even further and engage in even more activities.
If we go, that's the way.
Busan Rotary members, let's make it happen.
Thank you
June 18, 2025
75th President of the Busan Rotary Club
Andrew Seo Dong-gyun

Congratulatory speech

Dear Rotarians, welcome.
I sincerely congratulate the 74th and 75th Presidents and Directors of the Busan Rotary Club on their inauguration. It is a great honor to be able to give a congratulatory address at this historic club, which has been in existence for over 90 years, and this event today is all the more meaningful.
Founded in 1935, the Busan Rotary Club has been the foundation of Rotary in Korea. It is a prestigious club with a long history, practicing diverse service and leadership both domestically and internationally. In particular, its active exchanges with numerous sister clubs, consistent foundation donations, and community-centered service activities serve as a model for Rotary in Korea.
Former President Jung-eui Seo, who is with us today, is a central figure who has upheld the club's traditions and dignity, and a respected leader who has embodied the spirit of Rotary. I also extend my deepest gratitude to outgoing President Hyun-gyeom Kim of Haejeong for his dedicated leadership and the enthusiastic participation of our members, which contributed to the success of the previous session.
I sincerely congratulate Andrew Seo Dong-gyun on his inauguration as President. I am confident that his broad vision and driving force will enable the Busan Rotary Club to take a new leap forward. I also extend my gratitude to incoming Regional Representative Kim Gyu-won, who will lead Region 1 in the coming years, as well as to each club president and officer.
Rotary International's message for 2025-26 is UNITE FOR GOOD. In this era of deepening division and conflict, Rotary must serve as a beacon of unity and hope, a platform that connects people across race, religion, gender, ideology, and economic background. To continue to thrive, Rotary must practice three core values: innovation that flexibly adapts to changing times, continuity based on consistent leadership, and partnership through trust-based collaboration with the community.
The role of a governor is to be a bridge connecting Rotary International, clubs, and members, and to be a beacon that guides Rotary's growth, strengthens clubs, and empowers members to better provide valuable service. As governor-elect, I will continue Rotary's mission and, together with you, do my utmost to promote the development and unity of District 3661.
District 3661 must strengthen its local and global impact by pursuing service projects that provide practical benefits to the community, fostering next-generation leaders, and innovating digital transformation. My keywords for the next term are change, connection, and growth. Let's work together to achieve good through Rotary's transformation, connection, and growth.
Once again, I express my gratitude and respect to the outgoing president, and my congratulations and encouragement to the incoming president. I hope that today's event will be the starting point for a powerful leap forward into tomorrow, and that through Rotary's core values of service and fellowship, you will achieve even greater heights of service.
Thank you
Rotary International District 3661
25-26 President
Moon Jeong Hwang In-jae
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