Seonsu Jeon, Seocho District Mayor, "Will Breathe New Life into the Struggling People's Economy"

Seong-su Jeon, Seocho District Mayor, to Implement Dynamic and Vigorous Administration Based on 3·6·9 Principles: 'Empathy, Performance, and Sharing' Centered on Residents
Especially to Revitalize the Struggling Local Economy and Continuously Expand Alley Commercial Areas for Win-Win Growth of Large and Small Retailers and Small Business Owners... Focus on 6 Key Areas: Livelihood Economy, Safety Management, Support for the Vulnerable, Culture & Sports, Future Generation Support, and Preparing Seocho's Centennial Plan

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho District, stated in his 2024 New Year's address, “We will actively and vigorously carry out administration based on the 3·6·9 administration (3 principles, 6 focus areas, 9 core projects).”

The three principles are ‘Empathetic Administration, Performance Administration, and Sharing Administration,’ all centered on the residents.

In particular, Mayor Jeon said, “We will revitalize the struggling livelihood economy,” and added, “We will continuously expand policies to revitalize neighborhood commercial districts where large and small distribution companies and small business owners can coexist.”

He continued, “We will carefully manage six key areas: ▲livelihood economy ▲safety management ▲walking with the vulnerable ▲culture and sports ▲support for future generations ▲preparing Seocho’s century-long plan.”

Along with this, he announced plans to promote nine core projects: ▲‘Cultural Belt’ connecting Umyeonsan Mountain to the Han River ▲promotion of the ‘Judicial and Justice Hub’ ▲creation of ‘Seocho Happiness Road’ ▲‘Clean Seocho’ with clear flowing water ▲expansion of ‘Good Seocho Coin’ ▲expansion of ‘Senior Lounge and Smart Senior Project’ ▲accelerated reconstruction projects ▲establishment of the ‘AI Future Convergence Innovation District’ ▲resolution of residents’ long-standing demands, aiming to create a ‘Seocho that looks forward to tomorrow.’

Below is a summary of the New Year's address.

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Dear beloved and respected residents of Seocho District!

The new year of 2024, the Year of Gapjin (甲辰年), has dawned. I sincerely wish that all your hopes come true this year.

This year is the ‘Year of the Blue Dragon,’ and the dragon holds special meaning for our Seocho District. Seocho District was separated from Gangnam District and established in 1988, the Year of the Dragon. Since then, Seocho has grown rapidly and is now a reliable 36-year-old young adult. This year, Seocho will be filled with the prosperous energy symbolized by the dragon.

In the 8th elected term, Seocho has steadily progressed toward a ‘happier Seocho’ as various projects bore fruit one by one last year.

In the new year of 2024, the Year of Gapjin, we will actively and vigorously carry out administration based on the ‘3·6·9 administration,’ that is, 3 principles, 6 focus areas, and 9 core projects.

First, the three principles centered on the residents.

We will listen attentively to the voices of the field and residents to practice ‘Empathetic Administration,’ carefully execute assigned tasks to be evaluated as ‘Performance Administration,’ and complete the three principles with ‘Sharing Administration,’ distributing the results fairly to the residents in need.

Next, we will carefully manage the six focus areas to promise a ‘Happy Seocho Today.’

First, the livelihood economy area that breathes new life into the difficult economy.

To help small and medium-sized merchants struggling with rising loan interest rates, we will assist in resolving financial difficulties through ‘super-speed loans.’ Also, starting this year, you can comfortably visit marts even on Sundays. At the end of last year, Seoul City signed a coexistence agreement for the first time with large marts, small distribution companies, and small business owners, changing the mandatory closure days of large marts to weekdays. We will continue to expand policies to revitalize neighborhood commercial districts where large and small distribution companies and small business owners can coexist.

Second, we will add reassurance to safety so that everyone can be satisfied with safety management.

We will conduct a full inspection of children’s parks to check again for hazardous substances such as heavy metals and protect children’s safety with a parent’s heart by installing yellow boundary stones and yellow carpets in school zones. Also, to prevent indiscriminate crimes, we will increase the number of intelligent CCTVs that detect abnormal behavior in every corner of alleys to 1,000 units by 2026, and install smart security lights on side roads to create safe return paths where residents can walk safely even late at night.

Third, we will walk with the vulnerable, share together, and ensure no one is left out.

First, we will give a ‘Longevity Congratulatory Fund of 1 million won’ with deep respect to seniors celebrating their 99th birthday. Also, the national veterans’ allowance will be increased to 100,000 won per month, and the consolation money for war veterans will nearly double from 450,000 won to 840,000 won annually. The single-person household support center, relocated and expanded to Yangjae-dong, will operate various specialized programs so that even those living alone will not feel lonely, with Seocho as their companion.

Fourth, we will cultivate culture and sports with dignity befitting Seocho.

The ‘Cultural Belt’ along Banpo-daero, featuring five themes?Instrument Street, Music and Festival Street, Judicial and Justice Hub, Book Culture Street, and Tourism and Shopping Street?will become visible as a project starting this year.

Fifth, we will invest generously in the future generations who will lead Seocho.

First, we will make Seocho a place where people can safely give birth and raise children. The Yangjae Maternal and Child Health Center, opened last October, provides customized services from pregnancy preparation to childbirth and childcare, and we will continue to operate newborn programs for parents.

Seocho will also wholeheartedly support youth, the proud main actors of our society, and continue efforts to protect the global environment. To this end, we will operate 4th Industrial Revolution software courses and overseas employment programs for Seocho youth and open a new youth center in Seocho-dong to support employment and self-development programs.

Sixth, we will steadily prepare Seocho’s century-long plan.

Last month, Seoul City conditionally approved the ‘Urban Advanced Logistics Complex Development Project,’ opening the way for high-density mixed-use development around the old cargo terminal site in Yangjae-dong. We will wisely resolve the GTX-C complex transfer center and Seocho Town mixed-use development in cooperation with the central government and Seoul City.

Finally, we will promote nine core projects to create a ‘Seocho that looks forward to tomorrow.’

First, the ‘Cultural Belt’ project connecting Umyeonsan Mountain to the Han River.

Starting in March, the ‘Seoripul Art Studio’ on Instrument Street will begin operations, and various reading programs will be held on Book Culture Street. Additionally, following the application to Seoul City last October for the ‘Goter-Sebit Tourism Special Zone,’ we will add tourism to Seocho embracing the Han River and make every effort to transform Seocho into a world-class tourist destination.

Second, among the five themes of the Cultural Belt project, we will focus on promoting the ‘Judicial and Justice Hub’ project.

Currently, Seocho District hosts Korea’s top legal town, including the Supreme Court, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, and the Bar Association. Actively utilizing this infrastructure can make Seocho not only the judicial center of Korea but also the judicial hub of the Asia-Pacific region.

Third, we will firmly protect residents’ health by creating the ‘Seocho Happiness Road.’

Besides the five barefoot paths voluntarily created by residents, Seocho District created four barefoot paths last year, including Banpo Neighborhood Park and Banpo Stream. This year, we will add barefoot paths in Seoripul Park, Umyeonsan, and the Culture and Arts Park so that residents can find happiness and health while walking.

Fourth, we will create a clean and pleasant Seocho with clear flowing water.

First, we will install water purification devices in Yeoui Stream to ensure clean water flows, and expand bridges and rest areas in the Maehun Citizens’ Forest section to support comfortable walks for residents. Also, by completing the renovation of Sinwon Stream this year, we will bring water from Yangjae Stream and Yeoui Stream to Sinwon Stream, which previously had no flowing water, resolving odors and restoring it as an ecological stream with clean water.

Fifth, we will expand the implementation of the ‘Good Seocho Coin.’

This year, Seocho Coin will expand its accumulation projects and significantly increase places where it can be used, so more residents can use it and its positive influence can spread.

Sixth, to support seniors’ smart retirement life, we will expand the ‘Senior Lounge and Smart Senior Project.’

Following the establishment of a senior lounge upgraded with smart devices in Banpo 1-dong last year, we aim to establish three more this year. Also, the Smart Senior Project will expand program operations to include learning the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT.

Seventh, we will prepare various support measures to accelerate reconstruction projects.

First, reconstruction will proceed considering the characteristics of each district: the Banpo area connected to the Han River, the Bangbae area densely populated with detached houses, and the Yangjae area of Moa Town. We will also provide professional education and active communication to ensure strict morality among associations and related workers. Furthermore, conflicts arising during the maintenance process will be resolved through an expert support group system.

Eighth, we will accelerate the establishment of the AI Future Convergence Innovation District.

The ‘Yangjae AI Future Convergence Innovation District,’ responsible for Seocho’s future growth engine, will complete its special zone designation this year, fulfilling a 10-year wish.

Finally, we will promptly resolve long-standing projects from the residents’ perspective.

First, traffic issues in Yangjae and Naegok areas will be resolved this year. Taebong-ro, connecting Yangjae-dong and Umyeon-dong, will complete construction after eight years, and seven roads outside the Naegok district to alleviate traffic congestion in Naegok-dong will finish construction after six years and will open sequentially from April this year. The Banpo 2-dong Community Service Center building and Banpo Zelkova Tree Rest Area, long awaited by residents, will also complete construction in the first half of this year and welcome you.

Respected residents of Seocho District!

In the third year of the 8th elected term, we will not lose our original intention and will work even harder to achieve the results that residents desire. In the new year of Gapjin, I wish all residents good health and a ‘valuable year.’ Thank you.

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