[Interview] Lee Chang-woo, Dongjak District Mayor, "Jangseungbaegi Comprehensive Administrative Town to Start Construction in June"

The First Link for Future Urban Structure Reorganization: 'Jangseungbaegi Comprehensive Administrative Town' Construction to Begin Next Month, Scheduled for Completion in 2023... Dongjak's Future Growth Prospect 'Tourism Development around Yongyang Bongjeojeong' Takes Shape with Opening of Yongyang Bongjeojeong Park Natural Yard on the 30th of Last Month; This Year, We Will Strive to Bring Practical Changes to Residents' Lives through Various Community-Oriented Policies and Projects Preparing Dongjak's Future

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “This year marks the practical conclusion of the 7th local government term, and we will ensure that residents can feel the results of the future projects we have long prepared.”

This was the key topic raised by Lee Chang-woo, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, in an interview with this publication.

The year 2021 is busier than ever for Dongjak-gu. Priority projects initiated since the 6th local government term, such as the construction of the Jangseungbaegi Comprehensive Administrative Town and the development of the Yongyang Bongjeo-jeong area into a tourist attraction, are beginning to bear fruit one by one.

Mayor Lee has previously described the role of local governments using the “bamboo knot theory” in media interviews. He said, “Although local autonomy has reached its 27th year, residents have not felt the power of local governments because there were no ‘knots’ of change. We will complete the first knot of change in Dongjak, which has seen no change for a long time, within the term of the 7th local government.”

The demolition work for the Jangseungbaegi Comprehensive Administrative Town, which began in October last year, aims for completion in the first half of 2023. The construction of the new government building has been a long-standing wish of local residents, who have been saving funds for the building since 2004. With the start of the 6th local government term, a dedicated department directly under the mayor was established to actively promote the project. The district is leveraging the high value of the current government building site by having LH build a new office in the Jangseungbaegi area and donate it to the district, which will then repay LH with the land through a “donation in exchange for land” method, thus advancing the project.

Additionally, to coexist with the merchants of Yeongdo Market, who have continued their livelihoods on the new government building site, the project plans to create the nation’s first “mixed-use public office” by introducing a special rental shopping area of about 1,200 pyeong. Mayor Lee stated, “Through the relocation of public institutions, the Jangseungbaegi area will be developed into an administrative hub gathering administrative agencies such as the district office, health center, and community centers, as well as affiliated organizations like the Facilities Management Corporation and the Residents’ Hall. The Noryangjin area, rich in commercial land, will be nurtured as an economic center.”

On April 30, the district completed and opened to residents the “Yongyang Bongjeo-jeong Park Natural Yard,” one of the core projects to develop the Yongyang Bongjeo-jeong area into a tourist attraction. The Noryangjin area, where Yongyang Bongjeo-jeong is located, is recognized as a region with high growth potential due to its abundant historical, cultural, and natural resources such as the Han River, fish market, and Sayuksin Park.

The district plans to develop these individual resources into a tourism product by linking them with the development plans around Noryangjin promoted by Seoul City, establishing a tourism belt connecting Yongsan and Yeouido, and creating a “hot place.” Mayor Lee said, “With Seoul City’s upcoming development of Nodeul Island, attracting visitors from Nodeul Island to Noryangjin could secure future sources of income, which is why we are promoting the Yongyang Bongjeo-jeong area tourism project.”

Starting with the creation of the Natural Yard, the district plans to complete the “Yongyang Bongjeo-jeong Historical and Cultural Space,” themed on the historical value of Yongyang Bongjeo-jeong, and the second phase of park development, “Observation Deck Installation,” in 2022. It is also promoting the creation of a “Cafe Culture Street” linked with the Bondong Urban Regeneration New Deal project.

In cooperation with Seoul City, the district plans to complete projects by next year such as the “Baeknyeon Bridge,” modeled after the boat bridge crossed by King Jeongjo, the “Han River Walking Network” connecting the Han River Park interrupted in Dongjak, the demolition of the “Nodeul Overpass,” and the redevelopment of “Nodeul Naru Park.”

Alongside these, since the 6th local government term, the district has been striving to expand living SOC (Social Overhead Capital) in each zone so that no resident is excluded from cultural benefits, even by a single library or welfare facility.

First, in the Sadang-dong area, the district is promoting the construction of a “Public Complex Office Building” that integrates health and welfare facilities and a lifelong learning center, aiming to develop the area around Namseong Station into a second economic axis connecting to Noryangjin through its attraction effect.

Also, in Heukseok-dong, a high school is being established with the goal of opening in the spring semester of 2023. In Daebang-dong, a disused military underground bunker is being repurposed into a youth creative innovation experience space, scheduled for completion in January next year.

In Noryangjin, a complex cultural facility with a performance hall of over 700 seats will be built using public contribution land, and in Sangdo-dong, a living SOC complex facility combining a swimming pool, senior citizens’ center, public housing, and public parking lot is underway. Mayor Lee said, “Through projects preparing for Dongjak’s future and various life-oriented policies, we will do our best to shape Dongjak-gu in the direction residents want and bring about substantial changes in daily life.”