Jung Won-oh Launches First 'Seoul People Interview'... "Protecting Local Businesses Through Mutual Cooperation Council"

Visited Bukchon in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 15th
Held a meeting with local small business owners

"Bukchon is not just a neighborhood. As it is a symbolic place for tourism in Korea, it is important to revitalize and preserve it."

Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, turned his attention first to the "field" after his primary victory. With global interest in Korea rising thanks to BTS and K-Pop Demon Hunters, and with Seoul becoming the center of travel, his aim is to find a model for mutual prosperity.

Won Oh Jung, the Seoul mayoral candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Bukchon in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 15th as the first schedule of the 'Seoul In(t)erview' and held a meeting with local small business owners. Candidate Won Oh Jung's campaign team

On the morning of the 15th, as the first schedule of the "Seoul People Interview," Jung visited Bukchon in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and held a meeting with local small business owners. The "Seoul People Interview on the Move" is a campaign in which the candidate personally visits and interviews citizens whose stories have been selected from those submitted via the candidate's direct phone number.

Jung proposed the establishment of a "mutual cooperation residents' council" to prevent gentrification and overtourism in major tourist destinations in Seoul and to promote sustainable development. Local merchants expressed concerns that they are suffering from both overtourism and gentrification due to the increasing number of tourists in the Bukchon area. Lee Jaeyoon, head of the Samcheong Jeongdok-gil Merchants' Association, said, "Young business owners are opening stores with great ideas and sensibilities, but as domestic and global conglomerates begin to acquire stores one by one, rents are rising." Jung emphasized, "This is an issue that must be addressed to achieve the goal of ushering in the era of 30 million tourists in Korea," and added, "Solving this problem is the top priority if we want to inject vitality into Seoul's economy through the increasing number of tourists."

On the morning of the 15th, Jung Wonoh, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, visited Bukchon in Jongno-gu, Seoul, as the first schedule of the 'Seoul Interview' series, where he held a meeting with local small business owners. Jung Wonoh Candidate Campaign Camp

Seongdong-gu, where Jung previously served as district mayor, experienced dramatic transformation in its underdeveloped spaces. Old factory districts were reborn to meet the times, and today, they have become some of the most popular places for young people. Administrative experience is an intangible asset for public officials.

Jung said, "There are no problems until business is thriving and growth happens. Up to that point, both merchants and landlords are happy." However, he added, "Trouble begins when, at a certain stage, landlords start demanding excessively high rents." Jung particularly emphasized, "Unhappiness starts when large franchise conglomerates enter and entice landlords with even higher rents." He has experience in solving this issue. Jung explained, "Before the urban regeneration project in Seongdong-gu began, I persuaded landlords by saying, 'We need to raise the goose that lays golden eggs in good health and collect eggs every day; we must not cut it open.' As a result, 65% of landlords agreed to a mutual prosperity agreement."

He cited the case where, during his tenure as Seongdong-gu mayor, he designated Seongsu-dong as a "no-entry zone for large franchise conglomerates." He explained, "Based on the opinions of the local committee formed after the example of New York, we allowed certain franchises, such as 24-hour convenience stores, to open." Jung added, "If residents, landlords, and merchants' representatives continue to discuss these issues together in such a committee, a moderation mechanism will naturally form. If I become Seoul mayor, I believe it will be important to work with the Jongno-gu mayor to discuss these issues together."

Wrapping up the Seoul People Interview that day, Jung pledged to spare no effort in supporting the creation of unique and charming streets in Seoul. He envisions that such efforts could help increase Seoul's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP).

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