[Interview] Lee Chang-woo, Dongjak-gu Mayor: "I Will Complete a Strong, Unwavering Knot in the 7th Elected Term"

The Future Urban Structure Reorganization in Dongjak-gu Begins with the 'Jangseungbaegi Comprehensive Administrative Town' Breaking Ground in October Last Year... 'Yongyang Bongjeojeong Park' Established as a Natural Yard, Becoming a Major Han River Landmark and Seoul's Top Scenic Spot... Expansion of Public Library, Sinsangdo Underpass, and Other Living SOC Enhancements Improve Residents' Quality of Life

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] "The future projects prepared since the 6th local government term are now being concretely presented before the residents and are approaching clear results."

This was the opening remark made by Lee Chang-woo, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, in an interview with Asia Economy.

The key achievements demonstrating Mayor Lee Chang-woo’s capabilities include projects looking ahead more than 30 years into Dongjak’s future, such as ▲the construction of Jangseungbaegi Comprehensive Administrative Town and ▲the development of Yongyangbongjeojeong area into a tourist attraction. These projects have materialized the future vision of the district, bringing about transformative changes. Mayor Lee stated, "The reason bamboo can grow tall into the sky is because there are knots along the way to support it," adding, "I will use the remaining term more fiercely and earnestly than ever before to complete a solid knot that will not waver even after my term ends."

Starting his 7th local government term with the goal of creating a "Happy Change, People-Living Dongjak," Mayor Lee is still actively working to keep his promises to the residents.

The representative future project of Dongjak, the construction of the Jangseungbaegi Comprehensive Administrative Town, broke ground last October with the goal of completion in 2023.

At the start of the 6th local government term, a task force directly under the mayor was established to promote the construction of the administrative town, making it a core pledge and accelerating the project. Many expressed doubts about its feasibility, and there were difficulties during the process, but with a clear goal, the team has steadily pushed forward.

As a result, the site for the new government building completed demolition work last August, and excavation work is currently underway. Once the framework work begins in June this year, the outline of the new building will become visible.

The new government building will have a total floor area of 44,671㎡, with 3 basement levels and 10 floors above ground. It will not only serve as a workplace for public officials but also include cultural facilities such as an open library, creating a people-centered open space for communication with residents.

Notably, it will be the nation’s first "commercial-administrative complex" that coexists with merchants. A special rental shopping area of 1,200 pyeong (approximately 3,967㎡) will be created for merchants who maintained their livelihoods at Yeongdo Market. Instead of installing an employee cafeteria, staff will use external restaurants, which is expected to contribute to revitalizing the commercial district around Jangseungbaegi and the local economy.

Mayor Lee said, "The construction of the Jangseungbaegi Comprehensive Administrative Town will serve as a catalyst for reorganizing Dongjak-gu’s urban structure. Once the new government building is completed in 2023, the Jangseungbaegi area will become an ‘administrative center’ where government agencies are gathered in one place, and the Noryangjin area will become a ‘commercial center’ aligned with its economic value, forming a new central axis for Dongjak."

‘Yongyangbongjeojeong Park,’ located in Bon-dong at the southern end of the Han River, has been transformed into a representative scenic spot overlooking the Han River.

Once a neglected mountain, Yongyangbongjeojeong Park was reborn as a ‘Natural Yard’ at the end of April last year after three years of preparation. It features ▲a walking trail leading to the park summit ▲a sky observation deck ▲a children’s ‘nature playground,’ all opened to residents. Walking along the trail to the summit and facing the expansive Han River refreshes the mind.

Next to the Natural Yard is Dongjak Youth Cafe No. 1, ‘THE Han River,’ which was reborn last October through remodeling of the old district senior center. Within just two months of opening, it attracted over 10,000 visitors and became known as a popular spot for night views and sunsets, drawing many visitors.

For the convenience of users, infrastructure such as ▲terraced wooden decks ▲lighting ▲handrails was also expanded on the slope in front of ‘THE Han River,’ which had remained an empty lot.

The district plans to complete the construction of a ‘historical and cultural space’ that revives the historical value of Yongyangbongjeojeong, including a 487㎡, 4-story ‘observation cafe’ by the end of this year. Mayor Lee recalled, "The night view from Yongyangbongjeojeong Park, which I visited at the residents’ recommendation, was more splendid than anywhere else in Seoul," and confidently stated, "It will become a representative scenic spot of the Han River and Seoul’s No. 1 view, offering a panoramic view of the Han River, Namsan, and even Bukhansan in the distance."

In cooperation with Seoul City, the district has completed the construction of a Han River walking network connecting the disconnected Han River parks in Dongjak, and the demolition of the Nodeul overpass and the redevelopment of Nodeulnaru Park are progressing smoothly.

Once the ‘Yongyangbongjeojeong Tourism Attraction Project’ is completed, a cultural and tourism belt connecting Noryangjin, Yeouido, and Yongsan will be established.

Dongjak-gu has also enhanced residents’ quality of life by expanding living SOC closely related to daily life, such as public libraries and the expansion of the Sinsangdo underpass.

In Heukseok-dong, which previously had no public library, the ‘Kkamangdol Library,’ a space for culture and communication, opened on December 28 last year. The library is expected to be used as a ‘complex cultural facility’ sharing residents’ cultural life and significantly improving their quality of life.

The district is currently constructing a complex library in Sindaebang-dong, aiming for its opening in July.

Starting this year, all areas will have key libraries, including ▲Noryangjin area’s Dongjak Children’s Library ▲Sangdo area’s Kim Young-sam Public Library ▲Sadang area’s Sadang Solbat Library ▲Heukseok area’s Kkamangdol Library ▲Sindaebang area’s Sindaebang-dong Complex Library, enabling all residents to enjoy cultural benefits.

The expansion of the Sinsangdo underpass connecting Guksabong Tunnel and the northern end of Hangang Bridge began 15 years ago in 2007 but saw little progress for a long time. However, construction resumed in earnest at the end of 2019 and was completed on the 24th of last month, just two years later.

The two-lane road was expanded to four lanes, doubling the average travel speed during rush hours and providing an opportunity for the district to advance further.

Additionally, by April, the district will complete ▲a youth creative innovation experience space utilizing a decommissioned military underground bunker and ▲the Noryangjin modern sewage box using underground idle space with cultural value. Mayor Lee emphasized, "We will spare no support for small business owners to help recover the local economy," and stressed, "In 2022, Dongjak-gu Office will do its best in policies closely related to residents’ daily lives to become an office for everything and everywhere in residents’ lives."

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