Kang Taewoong, Yongsan District Mayor Candidate: "The Most Urgent Issue Is the Rapid Advancement of Redevelopment and Reconstruction Projects"

Democratic Party Candidate and Former First Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs
"On My First Day in Office, I Will Launch the Zero Delay in Redevelopment Task Force"
[Interview] Kang Taewoong, Democratic Party Candidate for Yongsan District Mayor

Kang Taewoong, former First Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs of Seoul, is running as the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Yongsan District Mayor in the June 3 local elections. He stated, "I will value every second and deliver visible results." Having graduated from Yongsan Middle School and Yongsan High School, and with 30 years of experience in Seoul's urban administration, Kang has made accelerating redevelopment projects and advancing the so-called "three major Yongsan initiatives" the core of his campaign pledges.

Kang explained, "After 30 years of experience, including serving as Seoul's First Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs, I now want to dedicate my career to serving the residents. Above all, I chose this path because I want to work in Yongsan, where I grew up and nurtured my dreams." The following is a written Q&A with candidate Kang.

Kang Taewoong, candidate for Yongsan District Mayor, identified "rapid advancement of redevelopment and reconstruction" as the most urgent issue in Yongsan District in a written interview with The Asia Business Daily. Provided by the election campaign.

-How does your 30-year career in urban administration set you apart in local governance?

▲District administration is comprehensive and requires extensive experience. Seoul’s autonomous districts receive about 30% of their budget from the Seoul city government, so cooperation and support are essential. With my 30 years of experience, I know what issues exist in local districts and how to resolve them. I also have plans for securing budget resources, which means I can address urgent matters swiftly.

-If elected, what will be your first official approval as mayor?

▲Yongsan is located in the city center, with many old residential areas, and it has the highest number of redevelopment and reconstruction zones among Seoul’s districts. However, many sites have been delayed due to height restrictions, view corridor regulations, the relocation and possible re-relocation of the presidential office, and internal conflicts within associations. On my first day in office, I will sign the document establishing the "Zero Delay in Redevelopment Task Force." By identifying issues in each project and providing administrative support such as expediting permits and approvals, I will ensure rapid progress.

-Through your experience in two general elections and as a local chapter head, what did you identify as Yongsan’s most urgent issue, and how is it reflected in your pledges?

▲The most urgent issue is the rapid advancement of redevelopment projects. However, I also found that, unexpectedly, Yongsan lacks adequate sports, cultural, and welfare infrastructure, and that improvements are needed in overall district administration.

My pledges are built on three main pillars. First, there are eight key areas of district administration that will transform residents' lives: speed of development, sports and cultural facilities, livelihood and future economy, welfare, safety, transportation, environment, and smart administration. In each area, I aim for Yongsan to be number one.

For each generation, pledges are tailored to five groups—children, students, youth, middle-aged, and seniors—with the goal of becoming a "mayor who satisfies everyone." Lastly, the three major projects that require strong cooperation with the central government and Seoul city—Yongsan International Business District, Yongsan National Park, and the undergrounding of the Gyeongbu and Gyeongui-Jungang railway lines—will be advanced at full speed to become "the mayor who changes Yongsan’s future."

-The 'three major Yongsan projects' involve significant variables outside of district authority, such as the central government, Seoul city, the Ministry of National Defense, and KORAIL.

▲Even if these are national projects, the opinions of local residents are important. During project implementation, there are mandatory procedures for gathering public feedback, such as public hearings and announcements. Individual opinions may vary and sometimes conflict depending on interests. It is the mayor's role to coordinate these and organize them in a way that benefits all residents. Collecting opinions is not a one-off process; it must be continuously supplemented and updated as the projects move forward, so establishing channels for communication and consultation with the government and Seoul city is crucial.

-Among your pledges by sector, what is the flagship policy for 'everyday administration' that most closely affects residents' daily lives?

▲Many residents have pointed out the shortage of community sports facilities. Health is most directly linked to quality of life, and affordable ways to maintain health are through community sports. I will expand and improve sports facilities for residents.

I pledge to build a comprehensive sports center with a swimming pool and gymnasium for residents, enhance and newly construct sports facilities for each discipline, expand park golf courses and screen park golf facilities, and improve the sports facilities at Ichon Hangang Park in cooperation with the Seoul city government.

-What will be your governing principle for district administration?

▲My principle will be "I will value every second and deliver visible results." Like the saying, "The answer is in the field. Administration should reflect the will of the residents," I will make greater efforts to meet residents in person and listen more closely to their voices.

◆About Candidate Kang Taewoong

△Graduate of Yongsan Middle School, Yongsan High School, and Seoul National University △Master’s in Public Administration from Seoul National University and University of Oregon, Ph.D. in Public Administration from University of Seoul △Passed the 33rd Higher Civil Service Examination △Served as First Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs of Seoul, Director General for Planning and Coordination, Head of Economic Promotion, Director General of Administration, and Spokesperson for Seoul city △Director of Seoul Children’s Hospital and Seobuk Hospital △Executive Director of Strategy and Planning at HDC Hyundai Development Company △Head of the Democratic Party of Korea's Yongsan district chapter

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