Ryugyeonggi Jungnang-gu Mayor Runs as Sole Democratic Party Candidate... "A Mayor Who Will Greatly Expand Jungnang, Raising Education, Economy, and Housing Standards"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] On the afternoon of the 21st, Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, completed his preliminary candidate registration and held a press conference for his candidacy at 2 p.m. in front of Jungnang-gu Office Plaza (Jungnang Residents’ Plaza).

Jungnang Residents’ Plaza symbolically represents the urban space innovation actively promoted by Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi since his inauguration.

During his tenure, Mayor Ryu increased Jungnang-gu’s budget ranking to 7th among Seoul’s districts and raised education subsidy support to 3rd place. He also enhanced educational pride by expanding the construction of the Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center and the “Reading a Thousand Books Before School” program.

Furthermore, he laid the foundation for Jungnang as an economic city by constructing Knowledge Industry Centers 1 and 2 and supporting the fashion sewing industry. He innovated Jungnang’s spaces through projects such as the creation of the Bonghwasan Companion Trail, the old roads of Mangwoo-ro and Sinnae-dong, and the specialized street of Sagajeong.

In addition, he established the Jungnang Mangwoo Space within Mangwoo History and Culture Park and created youth spaces. He also initiated urban agriculture and animal welfare, continuously advancing the vision of a “Happy Future, New Jungnang.”

Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi of Jungnang-gu is recognized as a mayor who practiced relentless on-site communication, holding 105 Jungnang Masil visits and 106 cleaning sessions. He received the highest SA grade three times in the Korea Manifesto Pledge Fulfillment Evaluation, proving himself a mayor who keeps promises and is warm and efficient.

In his declaration of candidacy, Mayor Ryu announced seven major pledges for the 8th term of local government: ▲Make Jungnang an education city ranked first in education satisfaction ▲Relocate the SH headquarters and complete the Myeonmok Administrative Complex Town ▲Comprehensively improve residential environments to raise living standards ▲Double the economy and growth engines ▲Create a cultural and sports city Jungnang ▲Communicate and cooperate with civil society ▲Achieve a warm welfare city Jungnang. He expressed confidence, saying it is because of the residents of Jungnang-gu.

Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi was confirmed as the sole candidate by the Democratic Party’s 8th National Simultaneous Local Elections Public Official Candidate Recommendation Management Committee. After the press conference on April 21, he began full-scale election campaigning as a preliminary candidate by paying respects at the tomb of Han Yong-un in Mangwoo History and Culture Park.

Declaration of Candidacy

Respected and beloved residents of Jungnang-gu, this is Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu.

Today, I declare my candidacy for the 8th term mayor of Jungnang-gu at Jungnang Residents’ Plaza.

Four years ago, the residents of Jungnang chose me, Ryu Kyung-gi, and opened the door to a happy future and a new Jungnang. I devoted all my experience and passion accumulated over 32 years at the forefront of Seoul’s transformation solely for Jungnang-gu.

I ran tirelessly for the residents, from early morning alley cleaning and Jungnang Masil visits to debate sites, ensuring that whatever was needed was realized.

As a result, Jungnang-gu has changed remarkably compared to four years ago.

One representative example is the Bonghwasan Barrier-Free Trail behind me. Although it is a low mountain at 160 meters, it was previously inaccessible to elderly residents with back problems and wheelchair users. Now, anyone can reach the summit.

We also completely transformed Mangwoo History and Culture Park. The dense forest and well-maintained burial grounds are no longer a source of shame. At Jungnang Mangwoo Space, the Eternal Memory Volunteer Group gathers to share and learn history.

The Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center is filled with passionate youth learners, and the streets of Mangwoo-ro, Sinnae-dong old roads, and Sagajeong specialized street have been improved all at once?from sidewalks and streetlights to signage?resulting in beautiful nightscapes and enhanced safety.

Now, we have gained confidence that we can become the center of Seoul. Among Seoul’s 25 autonomous districts, Jungnang-gu ranks seventh in budget size and third in education subsidy support. The regional gross domestic product growth rate, an indicator of economic growth, is also third in Seoul. Jungnang’s long history, beautiful natural environment, and warm community spirit have become more radiant and proud. I extend my respect and gratitude to all Jungnang residents who led these changes.

Jungnang is a proud city vigorously leaping toward happiness.

For the future of Jungnang, I will achieve the following seven pledges in the 8th term of local government.

First, I will make Jungnang the top education city in education satisfaction. I will double the education subsidy support to expand it to the top level among Seoul’s districts. I will build a second Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center and an astronomical science museum, and create a book-reading culture in Jungnang to become the best education city.

Second, I will relocate the SH headquarters and complete the Myeonmok Administrative Complex Town. By constructing the GTX B Line, undergrounding the Eastern Arterial Road, and building the Myeonmok light rail, I will make Jungnang a transportation hub with excellent connectivity.

Third, I will comprehensively improve the residential environment. I will raise the housing standards in Jungnang. Candidate sites for housing development projects will be rapidly initiated, and aging low-rise residential areas will be systematically developed.

Fourth, I will double Jungnang’s economy and growth engines. I will relocate the Sinnae Vehicle Depot to create an industrial complex and build a fashion sewing support center and a startup support center. Jungnang will become an economic city where more companies operate and the fashion sewing industry and advanced industries harmoniously coexist.

Fifth, I will create a cultural and sports city Jungnang. I will build professional cultural performance halls with 600 and 700 seats at the Myeonmok Administrative Complex Town and SH headquarters, and double the number of district-run art groups. I will significantly expand the construction of comprehensive gymnasiums and community sports facilities and increase support to the highest level in Seoul.

Sixth, I will communicate and cooperate with civil society. We will solve community challenges such as climate crisis, care, health, and safety through resident participation and cooperation.

Seventh, I will achieve a warm welfare city Jungnang. I will increase support for the elderly and disabled by more than 15% annually and greatly support youth and social enterprises to realize job welfare. Urban agriculture and animal welfare, which have begun to take root, will be further cultivated and blossomed.

Respected and beloved residents of Jungnang-gu, I, Ryu Kyung-gi, am confident.

I have been on-site, walking 90 km through 105 Jungnang Masil visits and 106 early morning cleanings,

and have been verified through receiving the highest grade three times in the basic local government pledge fulfillment evaluation. As a 32-year administrative expert on-site, I am recognized as “truly different! Getting things done smoothly.”

The source of my confidence comes from the residents of Jungnang-gu.

Because I work with residents who love Jungnang more than anyone, are warm-hearted, and whom I deeply respect, I can promise to make Jungnang’s education and economy the center of Seoul.

I, Ryu Kyung-gi, will water every corner of Jungnang with my sweat.

I will be the stepping stone for Jungnang to become a happy city.

Grow Jungnang with Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi, the mayor for education and economy!

Let’s move forward to a happy future for proud Jungnang-gu.

Thank you.

Major Career of Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi of Jungnang-gu

Born in 1961 in Damyang, Jeonnam

Graduated from Seoul Munseong Elementary School, Gangseo Middle School, and Daesin High School

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Seoul National University

Master’s degree in Public Administration from Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration

Ph.D. in Urban Administration from University of Seoul Graduate School

Passed the 29th Administrative Examination

Former spokesperson, Director of Administration Bureau, Director of Planning and Coordination Office, and First Deputy Mayor of Seoul

Current) 7th term Mayor of Jungnang-gu

Author of “Wisdom from Experience” and “Jungnang Together”

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