[Interview] Ryoo Kyung-gi, Jungnang District Mayor: "We Will Develop into the Top Education City with the Highest Education Satisfaction"

Ryu District Mayor's Key Promises for the 8th Term ▲Double Education Support Expenses, Ranked 1st in Seoul ▲Establishment of the 2nd Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center ▲Relocation of SH Headquarters to Sinnae-dong and Establishment of Sejong Cultural Center Branch ▲Integrated Development of Myeonmok Administrative Complex Town ▲Rapid and Comprehensive Housing Development and Residential Environment Improvement ▲Creation of Mangwoo History and Culture Park as the Nation's Top Attraction ▲Doubling Jobs for Seniors and Disabled, etc.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “The fact that the residents of Jungnang-gu elected me as the re-elected district mayor this time is the result of recognizing and trusting the achievements we have made together over the past four years. I will honor the residents’ will to keep Jungnang’s development going and move forward with greater vigor.”

Ryu Kyung-gi, who succeeded in his re-election following the 7th term of direct election, began the interview with this publication by expressing his gratitude to the residents.

“Jungnang has grown significantly.” “Our neighborhood has become really clean and pleasant.” “The Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center is the best.”

These were the words Ryu heard from residents while visiting the area during the election. He has worked tirelessly to become a district mayor who approaches residents, through 105 sessions of Jungnang Masil (community visits) and 106 early morning cleanups covering a total distance of 90,186 meters, sweeping and cleaning the streets alongside the residents.

By reflecting the voices of residents in district administration, Jungnang-gu has made greater leaps than ever before in education, economy, culture, and welfare over the past four years. The education budget was doubled over four years, ranking third among Seoul’s autonomous districts, strengthening the foundation of public education. In addition, the largest Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center in the district was built to supplement what schools lacked. Since its opening in May last year, 40,000 residents have used the center, and the facility satisfaction rate is high at 91%.

Along with this, the SH headquarters was attracted, and construction of the Myeonmok Administrative Complex Town began, laying a solid foundation. As a result, according to the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) report (2019), Jungnang-gu recorded a growth rate of 4.9% compared to the previous year (2018), ranking third among Seoul’s autonomous districts and first among northeastern districts in GRDP growth rate.

Also, the Jungnang Mangwoo Space, a base facility at the Mangwoo History and Culture Park, a modern and contemporary history report site, was opened to enhance the local brand value, and the Bonghwasan Donghaeng-gil trail was created, receiving great love from the disabled and elderly.

Moreover, as a result of creating specialized streets and cultivating a pleasant and beautiful city throughout the district, the highest (SA) grade was achieved three times in pledge fulfillment evaluations, and the resident happiness index soared from 20th place in 2016 to 9th place in 2021. The budget scale also made remarkable progress, rising from 12th place among autonomous districts in 2018 (565.7 billion KRW) to 7th place in 2022 (905 billion KRW). Mayor Ryu said, “All of this is a proud achievement made together with the residents of Jungnang-gu,” adding, “Building on these achievements, Jungnang will leap and develop even more during the 8th term of direct election.”

First, he announced plans to develop Jungnang into the top educational city with the highest education satisfaction. During the 7th term, the education support budget was doubled from 3.8 billion KRW to 8 billion KRW to strengthen public education, and now it will be doubled again to 16 billion KRW, aiming for first place in Seoul. Additionally, a second Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center, which has high resident satisfaction, will be pursued. Other plans include building an astronomy science center, establishing ‘Anandallo,’ a cultural and artistic creation center exclusively for youth, and expanding support for educationally marginalized groups such as out-of-school youth, ensuring that no student in Jungnang is left behind through meticulous policy implementation.

He also emphasized remarkable growth in housing development and economic sectors. Since 15 sites have already been designated as housing development candidates, the most among Seoul’s autonomous districts, he will reflect residents’ opinions as much as possible and swiftly carry out comprehensive housing development to significantly improve the residential environment. Above all, the long-awaited SH headquarters relocation to Sinnae-dong will be completed within his term, and the Myeonmok Administrative Complex Town will be completed, expanding administrative, cultural, and welfare infrastructure. He also announced plans to promote regional development through early opening of the Myeonmok light rail and construction of the GTX-B line Sangbong-Mangwoo Station complex transfer center.

Finally, he said he would create a cultural city that all Jungnang residents can enjoy and build a warm welfare Jungnang without leaving any residents behind. The Myeonmok-Mangwoo Comprehensive Sports Center will be built to help residents maintain their health in a pleasant environment, and cultural and artistic halls will be established at the relocated SH headquarters and Myeonmok Administrative Complex Town. The district’s first public museum will be built, and an ecological art and culture village will be created around Yangwon Station, enabling cultural life throughout the region.

He also emphasized doubling jobs for the elderly and disabled, expanding public indoor playgrounds and communal infant rooms, and fostering a meticulous and warm welfare Jungnang where all residents can be happy. Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi said, “I will keep the image of a ‘district mayor who runs on foot’ and ‘a district mayor who communicates’ with residents on site, just as I did four years ago,” adding, “The seeds sown during the 7th term have now sprouted, and over the next four years, those efforts will bear abundant fruit, increasing the pride of Jungnang residents even more.”

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