How Jungnang-gu Has Changed Unrecognizably Since Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi's Inauguration?

Successful SH Corporation Attraction, 200 Billion KRW Budget Increase: Remarkable Achievements of Minseon 7th Term in Jungnang-gu... Healing Urban Agriculture Brings Green Dreams and Opens Era of Life Welfare... Dongjin School, a Special School, to Open in 2024 with Swimming Pool and Complex Facilities Creating a Space for Coexistence with Residents

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “Why wouldn’t there be regrets? It’s not just one or two things. Still, I take pride in the time spent with the residents on the ground.”

This is the reflection of Ryu Gyeong-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, on the past two years of the 7th local government term. Jungnang’s transformation is remarkable, laying the foundation for growth by achieving results in various fields such as attracting SH Corporation, developing a new economic hub around Sinnae IC area, expanding education expenses, and increasing the budget scale.

First, the budget scale has changed. The budget, which was 565.7 billion KRW in 2018, has increased every year to reach 753.8 billion KRW in 2020, an increase of about 200 billion KRW. This ranks 7th among autonomous districts and serves as a foundation for realizing various policies for Jungnang’s growth.

Especially in the economic sector, the 7th local government term has brought remarkable achievements for Jungnang. The Sinnae Knowledge Industry Center 1, located in Sinnae-dong, was completed with 4 basement floors and 12 above-ground floors, and companies have begun moving in actively. The Knowledge Industry Center 2 and the Startup Support Center are scheduled to open in 2022, expected to create about 1,400 companies and 10,000 jobs.

The SH headquarters will also move to Sinnae-dong. With 1,300 employees and 100,000 annual visitors, the SH headquarters is scheduled to begin construction in 2022 and is expected to greatly contribute to revitalizing the local economy and commercial districts.

The Myeonmok Administrative Complex Town will expand the insufficient administrative, cultural, and welfare infrastructure in the area by establishing a community center, youth training center, parking lot, and more. To strengthen the competitiveness of Jungnang’s representative industry, the fashion sewing industry, the Myeonmok Fashion (Sewing) Specific Development Promotion District is actively progressing.

This area, also a Seoul city urban regeneration project site, has secured 20 billion KRW in seed money. Currently, Jungnang is carrying out urban regeneration projects in eight locations including this one, securing a total of 57.4 billion KRW, a remarkable achievement.

A new future for Jungnang as an education city is also opening. Jungnang-gu is promoting balanced policies centered on two main pillars: public education, i.e., school education, and out-of-school education. First, to revitalize public education, the school support expenses were significantly increased to 6 billion KRW. This is an increase of 2.2 billion KRW compared to 3.8 billion KRW in 2018, with plans to raise it to about 8 billion KRW by 2022.

The Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center is also actively progressing with a goal to be completed in the first half of next year. The center, with 2 basement floors and 7 above-ground floors, will serve as a comprehensive control tower for out-of-school education such as career guidance, college entrance, self-directed learning, and parent education.

The “1,000 Books Before School” program is one of the popular reading projects among residents in book-loving Jungnang. Currently, 1,206 participants are involved in this program, which encourages pre-school children to read 1,000 books. Incentives are provided at each stage to boost a sense of achievement and foster reading habits, helping children grow into creative talents, according to Jungnang-gu’s commitment.

Disability policies are among Jungnang’s meaningful achievements. The district, with about 20,000 registered disabled persons ranking 4th among autonomous districts, has significantly expanded the disability welfare budget to 35.3 billion KRW to create a barrier-free Jungnang. This is a 49% increase compared to the previous year. Public jobs for disabled persons have also increased by 63% from 2018 to 134 positions.

The Lifelong Education Center for Developmentally Disabled opened in October last year, providing specialized and independent education services for adult developmentally disabled persons. The Disability Family Support Center is a frequently visited place by disabled families, offering various programs such as counseling, case management, and information provision.

An agreement ceremony for the opening of Dongjin School, a special school for disabled students, was held last April. Dongjin School will have a total floor area of 12,000㎡ and consist of 18 classes. Scheduled to open in September 2024, it is expected to improve special education conditions and alleviate commuting difficulties for local disabled students.

Urban agriculture for realizing life welfare is also active. Life welfare is a vision of the 7th local government term. The district has established Jungnang Happy Farm and Jungnang Happy 2nd Farm in Sinnae-dong and Mangu-dong respectively, allowing residents to cultivate gardens and experience farms. In Muk-dong, a barrier-free garden was created so that disabled persons can participate in urban agriculture without major inconvenience.

Mayor Ryu said, “The achievements of the past two years are the result of residents’ aspirations for new changes,” adding, “In the second half of the 7th local government term, I will continue to walk tirelessly with the residents on the ground for a new Jungnang.”

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