Jung Won-oh: "Gangbuk Will Awaken Through the University Circulation Axis"

From Three-Core to Five-Core Urban Structure
Jung Unveils "Seoul Space Great Transformation" Pledge

Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, declared on the 12th that "while Gangnam developed through Subway Line 2, Gangbuk will awaken through a university circulation axis," announcing a complete overhaul of Seoul's outdated three-core district system into a new structure of five core districts and six metropolitan centers.

On the morning of May 12, at Cheongnyangni Station Square in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, Jung unveiled his "Seoul Space Great Transformation" pledge, which includes these plans. The existing three-core system—Jongno, Gangnam, and Yeouido—will be expanded to a five-core system with the addition of Cheongnyangni·Wangsimni and Sinchon·Hongdae. Cheongnyangni and Wangsimni will be developed as key transport and business hubs in the northeastern region, where GTX and metropolitan railways intersect. Sinchon and Hongdae will be fostered as innovative urban centers in the northwestern region, centered around university talent, youth culture, and content. Yongsan, Magok, Guro-Gasan, Jamsil, Sangam-Susaek, and Changdong-Sanggye will be intensively developed as six metropolitan centers.

Additionally, the northeastern and northwestern innovative districts will be designated as "ChakChak Economic Vitality Zones" as a priority, with a pilot program for economic vitality incentives. Furthermore, the five core districts and six metropolitan centers will be connected through three major growth axes: the Greater Seoul Growth Axis, the Eastern New Economy Advanced Industry Axis, and the Northwestern Media·Culture Axis, creating a growth network that combines metropolitan transportation and industry.

In particular, a Bio-Tech Bridge will be established in Cheongnyangni to link the bio research achievements of Hongneung with processes such as prototyping, demonstration, investment, and overseas expansion. In Seongsu, a unicorn startup hub, public rental offices, and long-term stability stores will be supplied. Changdong, Sanggye, and Wolgye will be transformed into advanced industrial zones for artificial intelligence (AI), digital bio, and K-culture by integrating Seoul Arena, Seed Cube, S-DBC, and the area around Kwangwoon University Station. A smart business complex will be created in Wangsimni.

Jung stated, "While the central government provides comprehensive support to other regions, Seoul receives almost no government aid, so creative ideas and planning are necessary." He added, "Within one year of election, I will concretize the pledges and immediately begin recruiting businesses to launch these projects."