Gwanak-gu Selected for 96 Project Competitions Last Year... Secured 32.6 Billion Won

With the Start of the 7th Civilian Administration, a Dedicated 'External Policy Team' Established for Public Contest Projects, Focusing Administrative Efforts on Securing External Funding

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) has shown outstanding performance in various public contest projects hosted by the central government and Seoul city last year.

During the year 2019, the district was selected for a total of 96 public contest projects, securing project funds amounting to 32.6 billion KRW. Including achievements since July 2018, the first year of the 7th local government term, the total reaches 119 projects and 62 billion KRW.

The largest public contest project last year was the ‘Euncheon-dong Hope Village Creation Project,’ selected under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Urban Regeneration New Deal Project. Up to 12.5 billion KRW of seed money budget will be invested by 2022 to transform the aging area into a beautiful and livable village by improving residential welfare and living environment.

Also, as the mayor positions himself as an economic mayor focusing on revitalizing the local economy, the district stood out in economic sector contests as well.

First, in December last year, Gwanak-gu was selected for the ‘Commercial District Renaissance Project’ hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, which aims to revitalize the commercial districts of the deteriorated old downtown and enhance their self-sustainability. A total budget of 8 billion KRW will be invested in the Seowon-dong and Sinwon-dong areas by 2024.

Additionally, the district was finally selected for the ‘2020 Seoul Campus Town Comprehensive Project,’ which was applied for jointly with Seoul National University. The city will support up to 10 billion KRW over four years until 2023, including 2 billion KRW in 2020.

This funding will be focused on projects for startup incubation and regional coexistence, such as operating the Campus Town Hub Center, startup mentoring and consulting, and regional linkage programs.

Moreover, Gwanak-gu was selected for the government’s ongoing ‘Living SOC Complex Project’ and plans to build the ‘Gwanak Cultural Welfare Town,’ which integrates social welfare facilities, a sports center, and a living culture center in one location.

To achieve these results, Gwanak-gu reorganized its organization with the launch of the 7th local government term and formed the ‘External Policy Team’ to oversee public contest projects, concentrating administrative efforts on securing external funding.

The district comprehensively managed the progress of each contest project and responded company-wide through regular reporting sessions and ad hoc meetings across all departments. In particular, employee capacity-building training was conducted, and a reward system was introduced to encourage employees and departments that achieved excellent results, which received great support from the staff.

Mayor Park Jun-hee said, “All employees united to make every effort to attract external funding to enhance urban competitiveness and residents’ quality of life,” adding, “In 2020, we will actively apply for public contest projects in various fields such as economy, welfare, education, and culture to secure the necessary resources for district issues and residents’ long-standing projects.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.