Seongdong-gu, What Is the Secret Behind Winning the Job Award for 6 Consecutive Years?

2020 National Local Government Job Awards 'Excellence Award' Winner, First in the Nation for 6 Consecutive Years...High Evaluation for Regional Customized Jobs, Social Venture Hub Establishment, Future Job Corporation Operation...Achieved 110% of 2019 Goal with 8,030 Jobs Created, Contributing to a Business-Friendly City

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong District, is presenting the vision for job creation at the opening ceremony of Seongdong Future Jobs Corporation in 2017.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Wono) was honored on the 29th with the ‘2020 National Local Government Job Award,’ achieving the remarkable feat of being the first in Seoul to win the award for six consecutive years.

The ‘National Local Government Job Award,’ hosted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, is the highest accolade in the job sector, comprehensively evaluating and awarding efforts and achievements in creating local jobs among 243 local governments nationwide.

Seongdong-gu, which has been dedicating itself to the top priority task of creating 30,000 jobs by 2022 during the 7th elected term, has won the Job Award for six consecutive years from 2015 to this year, solidifying its position as a leading local government in regional job creation.

Innovative local job projects tailored to the characteristics of the region, such as the Wangsimni Doseon-dong fashion and sewing industry, Yongdap-dong used car market, and Seongsu-dong handmade shoes, as well as the establishment of a top-level social venture hub nationwide and the operation of ‘Seongdong Future Job Corporation’ that helps seniors find a second life, have been highly praised as excellent policies differentiated from other local governments.

In particular, to create a business-friendly city, policies for attracting and supporting companies were prepared, including floor area ratio relaxation, acquisition tax and property tax reductions, and market development for small and medium-sized enterprises. Efforts were also made to create jobs through corporate support by attracting Seongdong Safe Shopping Centers, where rent is available at 70-80% of surrounding market prices, to protect local commercial districts.

Since 2014, to activate the potential and growth momentum of social venture companies that have spontaneously gathered in the Seongsu-dong area, the district has supported youth entrepreneurship and job creation by building social venture startup and collaboration spaces, establishing funds and support ordinances, and hosting expo events to enhance the competitiveness of social ventures.

By promoting distinctive job projects tailored to local conditions and industrial structure, the district created a total of 8,030 jobs in 2019, including 4,308 direct jobs, 104 jobs linked to vocational skill development training, 1,595 employment services, and 1,431 jobs in private sector company attraction, establishment, and expansion, achieving 110% of the target of 7,300 jobs.

Jeong Wono, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “I am pleased that our district’s efforts and achievements in job creation have been highly evaluated and widely recognized by winning the Job Award for six consecutive years. We will continue to challenge and strive to become a Seongdong-gu where no one is left out and everyone has the opportunity to work hard by establishing job policies reflecting local characteristics, attracting companies through various communications with the central government, and promoting sustainable job projects.”