[Interview] Lee Seongheon, Seodaemun District Mayor: "Develop Yujin Market and Inwang Market into Northwest Landmarks Like Gangnam COEX"

Mayor Lee elected as the first Seoul District Mayors' Association Chair in the 8th term pledges rapid redevelopment support for housing innovation, Gyeongui Line undergrounding and idle land development, and creating waterfront emotional cities around Hongjecheon and Bulgwangcheon

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] “Although located in the heart of Seoul, there are still places in the area that remain unchanged from 50 years ago. There are also areas without subway access, causing inconvenience. I believe that you have given me your vote with the hope of bringing new changes to Seodaemun, working together with the central government and Seoul city to create transformation.”

Seodaemun District Mayor Lee Seong-heon began the interview with this statement.

The mayor said, “I will promptly resolve the long-standing redevelopment projects and transportation issues,” and promised, “We will swiftly push forward previously halted development projects such as the undergrounding of the Gyeongui Line, and the development of Yujin Shopping Center and Inwang Market, creating a more advanced Seodaemun.”

A former re-elected member of the National Assembly, Mayor Lee declared that as a ‘competent district mayor,’ he will lead innovation to unlock Seodaemun’s potential and build a new Seodaemun, the central city of Seoul.

First is residential innovation through rapid support for redevelopment. Seodaemun has 60 redevelopment and reconstruction sites. To ensure redevelopment and reconstruction desired by residents proceed quickly and fairly, we will work with Seoul city to promptly implement ‘Sintong Development.’ For aging low-rise residential areas where large-scale redevelopment is difficult, we will promote development through ‘Moa Housing’ and ‘Moa Town’ methods to stimulate regional development in Seodaemun.

Next is lifestyle innovation through the undergrounding of the Gyeongui Line and development of idle land. The undergrounding of the Gyeongui Line has been a long-standing wish of our community. Passing through eight neighborhoods in Seodaemun with 450 daily trains, residents have suffered from noise and dust, which has also significantly hindered regional development. We will move the Gyeongui Line underground and create an industry-academic research complex linked with local universities on the idle railway land secured here to foster smart industries. We will also secure green spaces such as parks for residents.

He also stated that cultural innovation will be achieved through the waterfront emotional city around Hongjecheon and Bulgwangcheon streams.

Recently elected as the chairman of the Seoul City District Mayors’ Council, Mayor Lee said, “Seoul’s ‘Stream Renaissance Project’ will begin at Hongjecheon. We will transform Hongjecheon and Bulgwangcheon, where countless people walk daily, into waterfront emotional cities filled with cafes and cultural spaces where culture and emotion flow.”

He also plans to create walking trails connecting the existing Ansan Jarak-gil and Inwangsan so visitors to Hongjecheon can stroll through Ansan and Inwangsan and visit the Blue House before returning.

In particular, he emphasized developing Yujin Shopping Center and Inwang Market into a northwestern landmark like COEX in Gangnam to drive regional development. Mayor Lee said, “There have been past attempts to develop the Yujin Shopping Center area, but they were halted. With active cooperation from Seoul city, we will establish a state-of-the-art shopping mall in the Yujin Shopping Center area, making it the most vibrant commercial district in northwest Seoul.”

He also mentioned that in the Gajaeul area, a DMC Tower will be constructed, and unique developments tailored to each living zone within the district will be pursued to enhance residents’ convenience and regional economic growth simultaneously.

Alongside this, Seodaemun will leverage its advantage as a youth city with nine universities in the area by creating a new university street in the Sinchon area to promote economic innovation. He expressed confidence that Sinchon will once again become a lively street for young people through the new university street connecting nearby Hongik University, Sogang University, and local Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, and Chugye University for the Arts.

Mayor Lee Seong-heon concluded, “To this end, we will cooperate with Seoul city to establish plans. Through strong incentives, we will nurture K-Culture companies and create a K-Culture industry belt in Sinchon, a new cultural commercial district where young cultural consumers can gather.”

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