Candidate Won-Ki Kim: "I Will Lower Barriers in Architectural Administration to Save Citizens’ Time and Expenses"

Won-Ki Kim, Candidate for Uijeongbu Mayor
Policy Meeting with Uijeongbu City Architects Association
Pledges Active Review of Eight Key On-Site Issues
Promotes Policies for 'Unified Road Designation and Rationalization of Guga Land Conversion'

Won-Ki Kim, the Democratic Party candidate for Mayor of Uijeongbu, has listened to the on-site challenges faced by the local architecture industry and has begun policy initiatives to improve the residential environment.

Candidate Wonki Kim held a "Policy Meeting for the Improvement of Uijeongbu City Architecture Administration and the Revitalization of the Local Construction Industry" with the executive members of the Uijeongbu City Architects Association at his election office on the 18th. Photo provided by candidate Wonki Kim

On May 18, Candidate Won-Ki Kim held a "Policy Meeting for the Improvement of Uijeongbu City Architectural Administration and Revitalization of the Regional Architectural Industry" at his election office with the executives of the Uijeongbu City Architects Association.

In attendance at the meeting were Candidate Kim and officials from the Uijeongbu City Architects Association, who engaged in in-depth discussions on current issues and the future direction of the city's architectural administration. At the meeting, the Association presented Candidate Kim with a policy proposal containing eight items directly related to the residential environment and property rights of Uijeongbu’s 460,000 citizens.

The main proposals included: △ Unified designation and management of roads owned by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport △ Rationalization of the conversion and utilization of guga (open drainage channel) sites △ Expansion of participation by local architects in various committees such as the City Planning Committee △ Realistic improvements to on-site inspection and examination work (permit and usage approval) △ Regular policy meetings between Uijeongbu City and the Architects Association △ Continued support programs for households affected by disasters △ Promotion of pro bono work by architects for small-scale construction reports △ Introducing a bonus point system for local firms and joint application requirements in design competitions.

The Association particularly pointed out the administrative inefficiency of having to undergo individual designation procedures for land owned by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, even when it is already in use as a road during the building permit process. They proposed that the city conduct a comprehensive survey and simplify the process through unified public notices as a top priority. In addition, they requested clarification of the procedures for abolishing or converting the use of guga land that has lost its drainage function.

In response, Candidate Kim stated, "Even a minor administrative procedure in architectural administration can significantly impact citizens’ time and expenses," and promised, "I will actively consider rationalizing these procedures and establishing channels for communication so that the expertise of local architects, who best understand the field, is properly reflected in city administration."

Candidate Kim also highly praised the association’s ongoing social contribution activities, such as the "Sharing Architect" program to support households affected by fires or floods and vulnerable groups. He emphasized, "I will spare no administrative support to further expand and institutionalize the association's governance and pro bono projects." He added, "By encouraging local firms to have equity participation in large-scale design competitions, I aim to foster an architectural industry ecosystem where local companies grow together and the local economy circulates positively."

An official from Candidate Kim's election office stated, "The tasks proposed today will be thoroughly reviewed by our legal and policy team and actively reflected in our policy pledge book," adding, "Even after the election, we plan to institutionalize regular meetings on a quarterly or semi-annual basis to establish an ongoing communication system."

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