[Interview] Park Junhee, Mayor of Gwanak-gu, "Building Welfare, Culture, and Living SOC Hardware to Create a Happy Daily Life for Gwanak Residents"

Gwanak Family Happiness Center, Tentatively Named Gwanak-gu Disabled Center, and Other Welfare and Cultural Facilities for Socially Vulnerable Groups... Comprehensive Youth Activity Hub 'Gwanak Youth Center' to Be Completed Next Year... Focus on Establishing Housing and Living SOC Facilities Using Idle Land in Nangok Area

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] “During the 7th local government term, the establishment of welfare, cultural, and living SOC infrastructure to create a city where every day is happy in Gwanak is enhancing the city’s competitiveness and value.”

Park Jun-hee, Mayor of Gwanak District, emphasized the construction of spatial welfare infrastructure in an interview with this publication, stating, “We believe that the life satisfaction of local residents living within Gwanak is as important as the city’s external development. We have been dedicated to creating and building a space where everyone can be happy.”

First, the district focused on expanding facilities that ensure no one is left out by strengthening welfare and cultural spaces where all residents can recharge their vitality, as well as policies supporting socially vulnerable groups.

In June, Gwanak established its first family-friendly space, the “Gwanak Family Happiness Center,” located in Sinsa-dong, with a total floor area of 3,999.8㎡, consisting of 2 basement levels and 6 floors above ground. The center encompasses childcare, women’s services, and media, featuring a play experience hall, a toy and library for infants and toddlers, women’s classrooms, and a community media center, providing diverse facilities for infants, families, women, and residents to enjoy together.

Additionally, construction is underway for a complex facility for the disabled aimed at improving the rights of the hearing-impaired, who have difficulty communicating, and supporting the healthy and stable lives of families with disabled members. The (tentatively named) Gwanak District Disabled Center is being built on the current sign language interpretation center site in Cheongnyong-dong, with a total floor area of 785㎡, consisting of 1 basement level and 6 floors above ground. Floors 2 to 4 will house the sign language interpretation center and a resting place for the hearing-impaired staffed by sign language interpreters, while floors 5 and 6 will accommodate the Disabled Family Support Center. Construction is actively progressing with a target opening in June 2022.

Alongside this, to support healthy aging and leisure activities for seniors and provide high-quality elderly welfare services, the “Gang Gam-chan Daycare Center,” a public facility in Daehak-dong, opened in August. Furthermore, in line with the era of longevity, the district has invested 7.4 billion KRW in the current Gwanak Community Center site to build the (tentatively named) Senior Citizens’ Hall and 50 Plus Center, which will support leisure activities for seniors and social participation for middle-aged and older adults. Construction has begun with plans to open in 2023. Mayor Park stated, “We will strive to create a comfortable and secure environment for seniors by providing a variety of high-quality home care services,” adding, “We will continue to promote various projects to provide excellent elderly welfare services.”

Moreover, Gwanak, ranked first nationwide with a youth population ratio of 40.6%, is building the comprehensive youth activity hub “Gwanak Youth Center” (1759 Nambusunhwan-ro), aiming for completion next year.

With a total project cost of 13 billion KRW, the center will have a total floor area of 1,533.39㎡, spanning 1 basement level and 7 floors above ground. It will serve as a comprehensive policy hub for youth facing various social challenges such as career interruptions, employment difficulties, and housing issues, providing employment, job opportunities, welfare, psychological counseling, and community support.

In addition, the district is focusing on establishing residential and living SOC facility infrastructure by utilizing idle land in the Nangok area.

On the site of the former Geumcheon Police Station (around 544 Sillim-dong), a 3-story building with 1 basement level will be constructed, housing a startup and business library, 276 units of rental public happy housing, a lifelong education center, an open childcare room, and a public parking lot.

Also, on the idle land above Sinbong Tunnel (around 1569-20 Sillim-dong), plans include 280 units of rental public happy housing and a complex sports facility equipped with a swimming pool, multipurpose gymnasium, and fitness room.

Notably, the idle land in Nangok is located within a 2 km radius of the recently opened Gwanak Family Happiness Center, Horim Museum, and 15 schools, which is expected to create optimal synergy effects through the linkage of education, culture, and welfare facilities. Mayor Park Jun-hee stated, “During the 7th local government term, Gwanak District has made every effort to build solid welfare, cultural, and living SOC hardware to create a daily life where everyone is happy,” adding, “We look forward to residents enjoying a happier life in a pleasant and safe environment.”

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