Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon became the host for an online broadcast Thursday in an effort to listen to citizens on city policies and open doors for them to express their opinions.

“You see I kept my promise when I said during my mayoral campaign that I will visit citizens even after I get elected,” said Park during the live online broadcast from his office.

The broadcast started at 2 p.m. on two online TV channels, Afreeca TV and Olleh On-Air, and consisted of three parts ― Seoul city government news, stories from citizens and their recommendations, as well as time with a guest.

During the Seoul news segment, Park introduced some key issues in the city government for the week, such as the recent project to improve the quality of life for the underprivileged during the winter. He also shared some cultural and living information for citizens including the recent photo exhibition at the Seoul Museum of Art.

Park read some real-time messages as well as Twitter posts, while also fielding questions from the audience during the show. One, a mother with a disabled child, requested an elevator at a subway station near their home.

Park also invited an official of the city government to explain plans to the audience.

While wrapping up the show, Park mentioned the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement ratified on Tuesday.

“I thought about the government’s way of handling the FTA ratification and anti-FTA protesters, who were fired at with water cannons. I wonder if this was their only option,” said Park.

The next broadcast will go not only on the two online TV websites, but also on the city government website later.

The city government plans to conduct regular broadcasts if many citizens favor it.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)