[Interview] Yoodonggyun, Mayor of Mapo District: "Close Consultation with Local Residents is Priority for Housing Supply in Sangam Area"

Seobu Driver's License Test Center to Be Developed as a 'Growth Hub' for the 4th Industrial Revolution Era and a 'Cooperation Space' for the Inter-Korean Reconciliation Era on the DMC Landmark Site... Will Gather Residents' Opinions to Ensure Development Plans Reflect Local Realities and Needs

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] On the 4th, in opposition to the government's announcement of the 'Housing Supply Plan for 6,200 Households in the Sangam-dong Area,' Yoodonggyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, set up a temporary tent in front of the district office plaza and began working in the 'On-site Mayor's Office.' Hundreds of local residents opposing the housing supply plan for the Sangam area visited the on-site mayor's office, and some conveyed their opinions through individual meetings with the mayor. Since the 11th, Sangam area residents have also been conducting one-person protests in shifts in front of the 'On-site Mayor's Office.'

On the 13th, the fourth day of working in the on-site mayor's office, Mayor Yoo stated, "I fully agree with the policy direction of increasing new housing supply to stabilize real estate prices," but added, "I cannot help but feel concern and regret over the unilateral announcement of this policy without prior consultation with Mapo-gu." He further expressed his regret, saying, "Due to this unilateral announcement by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, various housing projects (including public housing) that were being promoted in Mapo-gu are now at risk of being halted."

According to Mayor Yoo, if 6,200 housing units, nearly half of the total 12,800 households in Sangam-dong, are supplied as per the government announcement, issues such as traffic congestion, overcrowded classrooms, and lack of various convenience facilities are expected. This is also why local residents are expressing dissatisfaction and concern over the unilateral notification without measures to expand infrastructure such as transportation and education.

Mayor Yoo also emphasized that "the sites of the Western Driver's License Test Center and DMC Landmark should be used as resources for the future development of the nation and region, in line with the original development purpose of Sangam-dong as Digital Media City (DMC)." So far, Mapo-gu has been discussing with Seoul City plans to develop the Western Driver's License Test Center site into a 'new strategic hub related to the 4th industrial revolution' and a 'cooperation space' in preparation for the era of inter-Korean reconciliation. Mayor Yoo said, "We will collect residents' opinions so that development plans suited to local realities and demands can be derived without setting fixed working hours on weekdays or holidays."

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