Oh Se-hoon "This Year's Economic Growth Forecast at 1%... Focus on Strengthening Social Safety Nets"

New Year's Press Conference Held... "Jeonjangyeon According to Principles"
Draft of 'Hangang Renaissance 2.0' to be Unveiled Next Month

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Seoul City is taking steps to establish and strengthen social safety nets in response to the era of low growth. Along with this, it has completed the blueprint for a large-scale urban plan centered on the Han River and Seoul’s tributaries, and plans to announce the implementation plan next month. Additionally, it reiterated its stance to respond in principle to the subway boarding protests by the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon).

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated at the New Year press conference held at Seoul City Hall on the 30th, "This year will be the first year of a full-fledged leap and takeoff toward ‘Companion and Charming Special City Seoul.’"

On the morning of the 30th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon held a New Year's press conference at Seoul City Hall. Photo by Yonhap News

Mayor Oh said, "As we enter the third year of COVID-19, the hardship on people’s livelihoods is intensifying," and expressed his determination for the new year’s administration by saying, "We will do our best to revitalize the local economy and enhance Seoul’s competitiveness."

First, Mayor Oh emphasized that this year’s administration focuses on ‘protecting the vulnerable.’ He said, "Now, as we take new steps into the post-COVID-19 daily life, it is the time to hold the hands of the vulnerable in our society even tighter," and stressed, "Especially this year, with economic growth predicted to be in the 1% range, we must firmly establish safety nets before the impoverished fall."

To this end, he highlighted ▲ doubling the number of households participating in the pilot project for guaranteed income ▲ creating housing safety nets for vulnerable groups ▲ customized support measures for youth, persons with disabilities, and middle-aged generations.

Along with this, he revealed the blueprint for ‘Han River Renaissance 2.0’ to secure Seoul’s competitiveness. Mayor Oh said, "We are preparing ‘Han River Renaissance 2.0,’ a project to enhance Seoul’s charm, increase urban competitiveness, and overcome the economic recession," and added, "We will announce the implementation plan on a large scale next month and provide detailed explanations."

Regarding the scheduled meeting with Jeonjangyeon on the 2nd of next month, Mayor Oh stated, "Persons with disabilities are indeed socially vulnerable. However, I do not consider Jeonjangyeon to be socially vulnerable," and took a firm stance by saying, "Rather, the citizens who suffer from subway delays are the vulnerable." He continued, "Apart from the meeting, we will recover damages caused by the subway boarding protests through lawsuits."

Meanwhile, about broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, he said, "This is the first time I mention him in an official setting," and criticized, "He worked hard and put in effort using the airwaves of TBS, which is operated with public taxes, to support a specific political party and faction."

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