Kim Seon-gap, Mayor of Gwangjin District, 3 Years in Office... "I Want to Be Remembered as a Mayor Who Kept Promises"

Over the 3 Years of the 7th Elected Term, Walking 'Together' with Residents Under the Motto 'Residents Are the Heart of the District'... Complex Development Including KT Site and Gwangjin-gu New Office to Begin Construction This Year... Creating Achasan Eoullim Plaza and More to Revitalize Achasan as a Natural Rest Area Where Culture and History Live

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim Seon-gap, Mayor of Gwangjin District, marks his 3rd anniversary in office on July 1.

Under the principle that "the center of district administration is the residents themselves," Mayor Kim has vigorously worked together with the residents for three years. As a result, the long-awaited KT site advanced business complex development project has begun construction this year and is scheduled to be completed in 2024 as a representative hub in the northeast area where office, residential, cultural, and commercial facilities coexist, including the new district office building.

Also, to transform Gwangjin's representative landmark, Achasan Mountain, into a natural resting space where culture and history come alive, Achasan Eoullim (林) Plaza and Achasan Donghaeng Forest Trail have been created. The Achasan Forest Library was established in 2022, and in 2023, the ‘Hongryeongbong Fortress Ruins Exhibition Hall’ is planned to be built.

Below is a summary of Mayor Kim's past three years.

◇ Practical Administration Centered on Residents

Three years have passed since the launch of the 7th local government. The first year focused on practical administration direction, building a new system centered on 68 projects across eight sectors. In the second year, based on the foundation of the first year, it was a year of leap to produce tangible results that residents could feel. Now, in the third year, the pledge fulfillment rate stands at 75%, showing visible achievements.

For three consecutive years, the district head has received an ‘SA (highest)’ rating in the basic local government pledge fulfillment evaluation. In May, the Korea Gallup Research Institute (confidence level 95%, sampling error ±3.5%p) conducted the ‘Gwangjin Residents Happiness Index Regular Survey,’ which showed a 92.2% satisfaction rate with district administration.

Over the past three years, convenience facilities for residents have been greatly expanded, including the construction of Jayang Hangang Library and gymnasium, opening of the Junggok-dong Jungnangcheon water playground, completion of the Guui 1-dong complex building, and the opening of Gwangjin No.1 Our Neighborhood Care Center.

Additionally, to enhance residents' welfare, the Gwangjin Welfare Foundation was established. As the first autonomous district in Seoul to expand support for the ‘Care SOS Project,’ it carried out the ‘Care Vaccine’ project linked with the Care SOS Project.

Other initiatives include relocating and expanding the Social Economy Integrated Support Center, establishing a 50+ Counseling Center, installing and operating smart shade shelters to prepare for heatwaves, and providing free rental of infant safety car seats.

Site Visit to KT Property

◇ Increasing Regional Value - Urban Planning

At the end of 2019, Gwangjin District produced a comprehensive re-evaluation report on the undervalued urban planning of Gwangjin and has been focusing on meticulous and efficient negotiations with Seoul City.

In particular, the long-awaited KT site advanced business complex development project began construction this year and is scheduled to be completed in 2024 as a representative hub in the northeast area where office, residential, cultural, and commercial facilities coexist, including the new district office building.

The new district office site will be directly donated to Gwangjin District by KT, the project owner, upon their request. Over the past year and a half, through reviewing related regulations and legal consultations, Seoul City was persuaded, and with residents' cooperation, a ‘petition’ for the donation of the new district office was made to Seoul City, which recently responded that it is ‘under review (acceptance).’

The lower part of the new district office (basement level 2) will be open free of charge for 30 years as a resident convenience space. As part of the win-win partnership between KT and Gwangjin, a ‘win-win agreement’ was signed, leading to ▲no installation of construction site cafeterias (hambajip), ▲priority job provision to Gwangjin residents, and ▲priority purchase of goods from local companies.

Furthermore, with 20 billion KRW secured through Seoul City public contests, a smart regeneration project is being promoted in connection with creating the Guui Station area as an ‘advanced industrial technology testbed.’ If the large-scale development project around Guui Station is successfully promoted, it is expected to become a core hub in the northeast area connecting Gwangjin’s east-west development axis from Konkuk University Station to Guui Station and Gangbyeon Station.

Also, after 25 years, official procedures have been taken to abolish the highest altitude district designation around Children’s Grand Park. The ‘Decision to Abolish the Highest Altitude District around Children’s Grand Park’ has been announced, and resident viewing and district council opinion hearings have been completed.

Development Plan of Achasan

◇ New Policies Residents Can Feel

This year, Gwangjin District has discovered a total of 158 new projects to create a ‘Safer, Healthier Gwangjin,’ of which 50 will be implemented as projects residents can directly feel in their daily lives.

First, the district will support transportation costs for children and adolescents aged 6 to 18, who are in transportation blind spots during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Seoul City’s first-ever village bus transportation fee support.

Also, the ‘Gwangjin Mom Taxi’ project is being promoted so that pregnant women and families with infants can safely use dedicated taxis when going to hospital appointments. Additionally, families with disabled members who have children under 7 years old will receive an additional monthly childcare support payment of 100,000 KRW.

Moreover, to transform Achasan Mountain, Gwangjin’s representative landmark, into a natural resting space where culture and history come alive, Achasan Eoullim (林) Plaza and Achasan Donghaeng Forest Trail have been created. The Achasan Forest Library was established in 2022, and in 2023, the ‘Hongryeongbong Fortress Ruins Exhibition Hall’ is planned to be built.

For residents’ daily safety, the district has subscribed to residents’ life safety insurance that supports medical expenses for injuries caused by various disasters and accidents, and a group bicycle insurance that compensates for bicycle accidents.

Furthermore, to invigorate the local economy, a mixed unmanned store pilot project called ‘Gwangjin-type Smart Super’ is being promoted, operated by store owners during the day and unmanned at night. The district also operates the ‘Gwangjin-type Shared Shopping Cart Rental Service’ to increase the usage rate and convenience of traditional markets.

In preparation for a super-aged society, the district plans to create a senior smart playground called ‘Senior Park’ in Gwangjin Supnaru to promote elderly health, convenience, and leisure culture.

Visit to the Vaccination Center

◇ Proactive COVID-19 Response

Since the end of January last year, when COVID-19 infections first occurred domestically, Gwangjin District has mobilized all administrative power with a two-track approach of ‘building a meticulous quarantine system’ and ‘revitalizing the local economy’ to protect residents’ safety and minimize daily life damage.

Before the Shincheonji incident, the district visited religious facilities to seek cooperation for quarantine and installed the first temporary screening clinic inside a university nationwide. After the Itaewon cluster infection, a ‘Special Task Force for Entertainment Facilities’ was immediately formed to conduct guidance and inspections around the Taste Street area.

Also, after cluster infections at Konkuk University and pojangmacha (street food tents) early this year, preemptive testing was conducted for business owners and employees at Konkuk University Station. Ahead of the Seoul mayoral by-election, preemptive testing was conducted nationwide for all voting and counting staff for the first time.

Recently, Seoul City’s first support for communication fees for the ‘080 Easy Phone Check-in Service’ has been provided to businesses required to keep entry logs.

Other proactive quarantine measures include placing hand sanitizers in all elevators in the district, distributing masks to all residents twice, and operating safe accommodations and safe restaurants.

◇ Focus on Reviving Stagnant Local Commercial Areas

During the COVID-19 situation, Gwangjin District’s representative local economic revitalization policies include the nation’s first ‘interest-free, no-guarantee Gwangjin-type small business loan support’ and issuing mobile ‘Gwangjin Love Gift Certificates’ to promote local consumption.

In 2020, 32.2 billion KRW was provided as interest-free, no-guarantee special loans, and this year, 32 billion KRW has been prepared. In April, an additional 20 billion KRW was raised in cooperation with Kookmin Bank, Hana Bank, and Shinhan Bank, totaling 52 billion KRW in support.

Also, 23.5 billion KRW worth of Gwangjin Love Gift Certificates were issued in 2020, and this year, 35 billion KRW worth has been issued. The 15 billion KRW issued in the first half sold out in 44 days, and due to popularity, an additional 5 billion KRW has been added to the 15 billion KRW planned for the second half, totaling 20 billion KRW planned for issuance.

Additionally, to revive the stagnant local economy, the district supported about 231.9 billion KRW for 41 projects including small business support and local consumption promotion in 2020, and this year, about 114.4 billion KRW is being supported for 32 projects including job support and support for affected industries.

Visit to Businesses Affected by COVID-19

◇ Increasing Vaccination Rates

Along with improving and adapting the quarantine system, the district is making every effort to increase vaccination rates. On April 15, the Gwangjin Vaccination Center was opened at Jayang Gymnasium, starting Pfizer vaccinations for seniors aged 75 and older, progressing smoothly with a goal to complete by the end of June.

Also, as of June 24, 117 designated hospitals are administering AstraZeneca vaccines to residents aged 60 to 74. From July, vaccinations will expand to general residents aged 18 to 59, expected to accelerate progress.

From July, a second vaccination center will operate at Junggok Cultural and Sports Center, aiming for over 70% of residents to complete the first dose by September, responding swiftly according to government policy.

◇ A Newer Gwangjin? Post-COVID-19 Era

In the post-COVID-19 era, revitalizing the local economy, the spread of untact culture, development of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) industry, and quality of medical services have become important.

The district plans to complete smart urban regeneration around Guui Station and the KT site advanced business complex by 2024, keeping pace with ICT industry development due to the spread of untact culture.

Also, the comprehensive medical complex in Junggok-dong will be completed in July this year, fostering it as a specialized strategic hub focused on medical, education, and research work.

Furthermore, to revitalize the weakened local economy, the district plans to attract Seoul City’s smart solution anchor facility next year, promote specialized projects for the small-scale sewing industry, and provide customized support for companies through the ‘Gwangjin Business Center’ to be built in February 2022. To revive alleyway commercial areas, the district will continue traditional market management and facility modernization projects, safety management, and activation of unrecognized markets and alley-type shopping districts.

Construction Site Safety Inspection

◇ Safer and Better Gwangjin

To protect residents’ safety in daily life, the district plans to install high-performance cameras on rooftops of high-rise buildings to complement the limitations of CCTV installed on the ground during large-scale disasters, and build a ‘Smart Eco Shelter’ within the year that self-manages and responds comprehensively to natural disasters such as heatwaves, cold waves, and fine dust.

Additionally, a forced ventilation system to improve indoor air quality will be installed this year, and undergrounding of alleyway power and communication lines will be completed by 2023 to improve urban aesthetics and traffic safety.

To improve residents’ quality of life, district libraries will be built in Gunja-dong in 2022 and Guui 2-dong complex building in 2023, and an eco-friendly sports park will be created in Jangang-dong in 2026 to provide residents with resting spaces.

Also, tailored support projects for rapidly increasing single-person households will be promoted, and a 24-hour child abuse reporting and investigation system will be established to prevent the social issue of child abuse.

Kim Seon-gap, Mayor of Gwangjin District, said, “I want to be remembered as a mayor who acts for the residents and keeps promises.”

He added, “When I took office three years ago, I promised residents to achieve 100% of my pledges. Currently, the fulfillment rate is 75%, and all ongoing projects are expected to be completed by June 2022. I will lead changes in Gwangjin that residents can feel by implementing resident-satisfaction administration.”

He also said, “So far, Gwangjin District has raised regional value and faced the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to the active cooperation and interest of residents, we have been able to steadily solve difficult challenges. However, COVID-19 is still with us. We will do our best to achieve early herd immunity by sequentially vaccinating all residents.”

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