[Interview] Yuseonghun, Geumcheon District Mayor: "A Post-Corona Era City Centered on Living Areas with Health, Family, and Green Spaces"

In the Post-Corona Era, Adding the Values of 'Health, Family, and Green Spaces' to Administration... Especially Promoting Various Policies for Residents' Health and Safety, Economy, a Happy Geumcheon Together, a People-Centered Educational and Cultural City, and a Green City

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “The direction for Geumcheon District administration in the New Year of the Year of the Ox is to develop Geumcheon to be most like itself, focusing on improving the quality of life for residents, and becoming a post-COVID-19 era living area city center equipped with ‘health, family, and green spaces.’”

Yoo Sung-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon District (photo), explained this direction for the district administration in an interview with Asia Economy, stating, “We plan to concentrate all our capabilities on protecting the precious daily lives of residents and providing innovative administrative services that residents can enjoy more conveniently in this era of living with preventive measures.”

A native of Geumcheon, he described Geumcheon as “a warm-hearted city,” pledging to communicate openly to reflect the strengths and characteristics of Geumcheon and the desires of its residents.

One of the major pending projects of the 7th elected term, the ‘Shinansan Line,’ is set to proceed with route construction in earnest this year, aiming for completion in the second half of 2024. The ‘Large General Hospital Construction’ project has passed the Urban Architecture Joint Committee and is scheduled to begin construction this year.

Additionally, preparations have been completed to lay the foundation for cultural city Geumcheon by establishing the ‘2040 Comprehensive Urban Management Plan’ for long-term urban development, various urban regeneration projects including the Doksan-dong cattle market, and the ‘Geumcheon Cultural Vision.’

The district will not be satisfied with these achievements but will strive further to complete the slogan of Geumcheon District in the second half of the 7th elected term in 2021, ‘Happy Neighborhood City Geumcheon,’ and to realize the values of ‘health, family, and green spaces’ in the post-COVID-19 era. In particular, various policies will be promoted for residents’ health and safety, economy, a happier Geumcheon, a people-centered educational and cultural city, and a green city.

First, various safety projects will be implemented, including the ‘Infectious Disease Control Center’ to respond to epidemics like COVID-19, the ‘Large General Hospital Construction’ to build medical infrastructure, and the ‘Smart City Integrated Platform’ linked with the ‘Geumcheon Fire Station’ opening in September.

Also, economic support measures will be expanded, including issuing ‘G-Valley Love Gift Certificates,’ ‘non-face-to-face services for traditional markets,’ and expanding convenience facilities at ‘Nammun Market.’

Furthermore, to promote the value of togetherness, projects such as ‘Family Center Construction’ and ‘Multicultural Shelter Creation’ will be pursued, expanding neighborhood care centers to strengthen community-based care systems, creating the ‘Saegil Science Playground,’ ‘Ise-sang Playground,’ and operating the ‘Happy Toy Delivery Service in Every Neighborhood.’

To faithfully implement the ‘Geumcheon Cultural Vision’ declared last year, plans include establishing the ‘Geumcheon Musical School,’ ‘West Seoul Art Museum,’ constructing the ‘Geumcheon Academic and Career Support Center,’ building the ‘Geumcheon-style Science Museum,’ and the ‘Geumcheon Lifelong Learning Center,’ creating an educational city Geumcheon that embraces all age groups from children to adults.

In addition, natural leisure facilities such as the ‘Hoam Neulsolgil Extension,’ ‘Doksan Neighborhood Park Environmental Improvement,’ and ‘Water Play-type Children’s Playground’ will be expanded, actively promoting green programs that residents can enjoy.

Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon said, “The year 2021 must be a year to rebuild our lives that were disrupted by COVID-19,” adding, “This year, we will think from the residents’ perspective, empathize with their difficulties first, communicate closely, and do our best to make Geumcheon District a city where people want to live and stay.”