Seoul Gangseo-gu Ranks 1st in Local Autonomy Competitiveness in Seoul... Close to Nationwide 1st Place

Gangseo-gu Ranks '1st in Seoul, 4th Nationwide' in Korea Local Competitiveness Index (KLCI)...High Scores in Management Performance...Achieves Success through Magok District Development and Balanced Growth between Old and New Towns

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) has once again proven its status as a 'nationwide top-level' local government in terms of competitiveness.

The district announced that it ranked 1st in Seoul and 4th nationwide in the ‘2021 Korea Local Autonomy Competitiveness Index (hereafter KLCI 2021)’ conducted by the Korea Public Autonomy Research Institute.

The Korea Local Autonomy Competitiveness Index (KLCI), published annually, is an indicator that quantifies data by investigating statistical yearbooks of local governments and official statistics from government ministries and agencies for 226 cities, counties, and districts nationwide.

The evaluation represents comprehensive competitiveness by summing three categories: management resources (300 points), management activities (300 points), and management performance (400 points). The assessment is conducted separately for city (75), county (82), and district (69) groups.

After ranking 9th nationwide in 2003 and remaining outside the top 10 until 2018, the district achieved 5th place nationwide for two consecutive years in 2019 and 2020 as the Magok district development accelerated. This year, it achieved 1st place in Seoul and 4th nationwide.

Furthermore, with the ongoing development of Magok district and the anticipated relaxation of airport height restrictions, as well as the completion of balanced development between the old and new downtown areas, it is expected that Gangseo-gu could achieve 1st place nationwide in the local autonomy competitiveness index.

In particular, this year, the district scored 266.92 points out of 400 in the management performance category (covering population vitality, health and welfare, education and culture, public safety, community, and economic vitality), ranking 1st in Seoul and 3rd nationwide, contributing to this excellent result.

This achievement is interpreted as a result of the successful development of Magok district, which began in earnest during the 5th elected term of Mayor Noh Hyun-song.

Magok district is currently emerging as a core industrial and research complex leading the 4th Industrial Revolution era, achieving harmonious co-growth through win-win cooperation between large corporations and startups.

Additionally, to resolve the imbalance between the old and new downtown areas that accompanies Magok district’s growth, the district is actively promoting urban regeneration projects focusing on alleys, traditional markets, and low-rise residential areas.

Mayor Noh Hyun-song stated, “We expect the district’s competitiveness to further increase through the growth of Magok district, achievement of airport height restriction relaxation, and revitalization of urban regeneration projects. Based on harmonious growth that embraces all regions, generations, and social classes, we will secure the nation’s top-level local government competitiveness.”