Seungro Lee, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, Receives Successive Responses of 'Good Rent' to His Sincere Letter

Sent 141 Letters to Former Landlords Encouraging Participation in the 'Good Rent' Campaign, Resulting in Rent Exemptions and Reductions... Seungro Lee, Seongbuk-gu Mayor, Volunteers as Ambassador for the 'Good Rent Movement' Promotion

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] About 140 local landlords responded with rent exemptions and reductions to Seung-ro Lee, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu’s “Letter Encouraging Participation in the Good Rent Campaign,” drawing attention.

As the COVID-19 crisis prolongs, small business owners and self-employed individuals are suffering from a sharp decline in sales as well as the burden of fixed monthly costs, facing double or triple hardships. To support them, Mayor Seung-ro Lee of Seongbuk-gu sent a letter on the 1st of this month to all landlords in the area, encouraging participation in the “Good Rent” campaign.

Through the letter, the mayor detailed the situation of small business owners and self-employed individuals facing crisis due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and introduced the nationwide spreading “Good Rent Movement.”

He also shared the news that over 100 landlords in Seongbuk-gu have joined the movement, expressing their willingness to participate, providing great strength and hope to small business owners and the self-employed.

Furthermore, he requested much interest and participation in the Good Rent Movement, noting that the government, Seoul City, and Seongbuk-gu are implementing various support projects for landlords who have made difficult decisions under challenging conditions.

In response to the heartfelt letter sent by Mayor Lee, 103 landlords answered with 141 cases of rent exemptions and reductions. Across Seongbuk-gu, many “good landlords” have emerged, pledging to reduce or exempt rent from 30% up to 100% for periods ranging from one month to the end of the COVID-19 situation.

As of April 20, there are 245 cases of participation in the Good Rent Movement in Seongbuk-gu. Considering that many landlords are reluctant to disclose rent reduction details, Seongbuk-gu officials believe the actual number of landlords who have lowered rent is even higher.

Kim ** (67) from Jeongneung 3-dong, who joined the Good Rent Movement after reading Mayor Lee’s letter, said, “I had been considering reducing rent for tenants struggling due to COVID-19, but hesitated because I had to consider bank interest and maintenance costs. The mayor’s direct letter and efforts for local residents were touching, and learning about various support programs led me to decide to reduce the monthly rent by 50% for three months.”

In response to the good landlords, Mayor Seung-ro Lee of Seongbuk-gu said, “I was secretly worried about how many would participate after reading the letter. However, hearing the daily struggles of self-employed and small business owners, I sent the letter with the determination to do everything possible administratively. I am deeply rewarded by the many landlords who responded and feel a strong responsibility to further promote the Good Rent Movement.”

Small business owners and the self-employed responded with banners. The Seokgwan Merchants Association and others put up banners expressing gratitude to good landlords who exempted or reduced rent. Banners thanking the good landlords’ decisions are fluttering throughout Seongbuk-gu.

Mayor Seung-ro Lee’s efforts to spread the Good Rent Movement are not new. In March, he participated in the “Good Landlord Support Challenge” and appealed for interest and participation by sharing it on social networking services. Conducting interviews with landlords during site visits and leading meetings of related departments for effective support are also key parts of his schedule.

Along with Mayor Seung-ro Lee’s efforts to spread the Good Rent Movement, Seongbuk-gu is reducing rent on district-owned public properties by up to 50% and proactively supporting good landlords with building maintenance costs, monthly electrical safety inspections, and up to 5 million KRW within 30% of the total rent reduction amount. The district also disinfects rental commercial buildings weekly and actively promotes “Good Landlord Buildings.” In addition, various support projects such as small business employment retention subsidies and small business funds are being implemented.

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