Yoo Bohwa, Seongdong District Mayor Candidate: "If Elected, My First Approval Will Be Establishing the Redevelopment Fast-Track Task Force"

Yoo Bo-hwa, candidate for Seongdong District Mayor in Seoul (Democratic Party of Korea and former Deputy Mayor of Seongdong District), announced that if elected, her first official approval would be to sign the plan to establish a “Redevelopment and Reconstruction Fast-Track Management Task Force.” She also emphasized that she would renegotiate with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to convert the public contribution, which was settled at about 48 billion won in cash compensation during the preliminary negotiations for the Sampyo Ready-Mix Concrete site in Seongsu-dong, into a complex cultural cluster with a capacity of 2,000 seats.

Yoo Bohwa, candidate for Seongdong District Mayor, explained his key campaign pledges in an interview with this publication on the 26th. Provided by Yoo Bohwa's election campaign.

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In an interview with this publication on the 26th, Candidate Yoo stated, “Redevelopment projects are not merely development initiatives but are core tasks directly linked to the quality of life and property rights of district residents,” adding, “A dedicated control tower is needed to ensure speed, fairness, and transparency together.” The envisioned task force would be responsible for enacting support ordinances for redevelopment projects, recruiting external experts in urban planning and architecture, integrating and managing approval procedures, and mediating resident conflicts in advance.

Yoo explained, “The redevelopment and reconstruction process involves more than 30 stages, and a single revision can take up to a year,” and stressed, “While protecting private property in a transparent and prompt manner, we will actively provide legal, urban planning, and architectural consulting services by leveraging Seoul’s administrative network.” She particularly reiterated the need for swift progress, noting, “Even in the Seongsu Strategic Redevelopment Zone, it has taken 15 years since its designation as a strategic district in 2011 to see meaningful advancement.” With Jeong Won-oh, candidate for Seoul Mayor and former Seongdong District Mayor, having announced plans to transfer redevelopment project authority to district offices, Yoo also expressed hope that expanding district office authority over small-scale redevelopment projects with fewer than 500 households would further accelerate project timelines.

Regarding her motivation to run for elected office, Yoo cited the continuity of projects she has promoted alongside former Mayor Jeong Won-oh. She explained, “We have accomplished major tasks together, such as the demolition of the Sampyo Ready-Mix Concrete plant, attracting the GTX-C Wangsimni Station, and improving the Majang Livestock Market environment,” adding, “I decided to step forward because I believe I am the right person to ensure the smooth completion of these key ongoing projects.”

On what differentiates her from Jeong Won-oh, Yoo responded, “While Jeong Won-oh’s Seongdong was an administration that created innovation and change, Yoo Bo-hwa’s Seongdong will expand and complete those achievements on a greater scale.” She continued, “I have experience both in policy development, gained through positions in Seoul City’s Planning and Coordination Office and Administrative Bureau, and in policy implementation, having served as Deputy Mayor for the past four years,” emphasizing, “Rather than limiting administration to solutions within Seongdong, I will connect with Seoul City to bring in greater resources.”

As for her biggest regret during her tenure as Deputy Mayor, Yoo pointed to the preliminary negotiations for the Sampyo Ready-Mix Concrete site. She said, “While the general framework of the preliminary agreement should be maintained, I believe there is room for detailed adjustments,” adding, “I would like to take another close look with Seoul City at the detailed allocation of the approximately 600 billion won designated as public contribution for the Sampyo site.” Although a 900-seat performance hall is planned for a nearby hotel being developed by Booyoung Development, Yoo believes this falls short of meeting local demand.

Yoo stated, “The Seongsu-dong area is rapidly growing into a city where culture and industry are combined, and the development of the Wangsimni Station global business hub and the Majang-dong KEPCO site is also planned,” stressing, “A complex cultural cluster with a capacity of about 2,000 seats is absolutely necessary.”

For concrete measures, she suggested incorporating a performance venue into the startup hub space Seoul City is pursuing at the former equestrian park site, or constructing a performance venue through private investment by utilizing the Seoul Forest public parking lot site. She commented, “Seongsu-dong’s development will naturally extend to Wangsimni only when cultural performance infrastructure is added to the economy and jobs.” In this regard, she reported having made an official proposal on Seongdong District’s key issues to Jeong Won-oh, candidate for Seoul Mayor, on the 24th.

Candidate Yu said, "A complex cultural cluster with a capacity of 2,000 seats is needed in the Seongsu-dong area." Provided by the Yubo-hwa election campaign.

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Yoo’s pledges cover seven major areas: economy, housing, transportation, care, youth & small business owners, culture & sports, and safety & living environment. Key points include completing a new economic axis connecting Seongsu, Wangsimni, and Majang; extending the Dongbuk Line to Kumho Station and promoting the Gangbuk extension of the new Gangnam Line; advancing the Seongdong-style integrated care system; and alleviating rental burdens for local commercial districts.

Having worked for about 30 years at Seoul City Hall, where she served as Policy Planning Officer, Yoo has experience in planning and administrative roles, as well as self-governing administration, handling district budget allocation and HR work. She also has a four-year track record of field administration as Deputy Mayor.

Yoo stated, “Administration does not end once a decision is made; if there is a better direction, it is our responsibility to continuously adjust and improve,” pledging, “I will build a strong Seongdong community with leadership that listens to every resident’s voice and resolves conflicts to foster harmony.”

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