[Interview] Ryoo Kyung-gi, Jungnang District Mayor: "With the Highest Budget Ever, We Will Create a Vibrant Economy, Hopeful Education, and a Warm Welfare City"

2018 Budget 565.7 Billion KRW → 2022 Record High 905 Billion KRW ↑... 70 Pledges in 5 Major Areas '2021 National Local Government Heads Pledge Implementation Evaluation' Top Grade (SA)

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “In the new year of the Year of the Tiger, we will overcome COVID-19 with the vigorous spirit of the tiger and work together with the residents of Jungnang-gu to create a vibrant economy, hopeful education, warm welfare, and a Jungnang that instills pride.”

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said this in an interview with this publication regarding the direction of the district administration for the new year.

Jungnang-gu’s budget for this year is a record high of 905 billion KRW. To realize “Happy Future, New Jungnang,” the budget has been continuously expanded over the four years of the 7th local government, increasing by a whopping 339.3 billion KRW from 565.7 billion KRW in 2018. With the largest budget ever, the district is steadily achieving 70 pledged projects across five major areas: “Vibrant Economic Jungnang, Urban Development to Foster Growth Engines, Future Jungnang in Education and Culture, Warm Welfare Jungnang Together, and Collaborative Governance Jungnang through Communication and Participation.”

In the field of Vibrant Economic Jungnang, Knowledge Industry Centers 1 and 2 have opened, attracting about 620 companies by 2021. With the establishment of the Yangwon District Fashion Industry Advancement Complex and the completion of the Jungnang Startup Support Center in the Sinnae District, 1,000 companies will be attracted, creating 10,000 jobs.

Also, with the relocation of the Sinnae Vehicle Base, the creation of a high-tech industrial complex and the completion of Sinnae Compact City will complete the high-tech industrial cluster around Sinnae IC area. To strengthen the competitiveness of the sewing industry, the backbone of Jungnang-gu’s manufacturing, a joint brand “Popple” was launched, a shared fashion sewing equipment room was established, and the Jungnang Fashion Support Center will also begin construction this year. Additionally, specialized streets to revitalize local commercial districts have been created. The Taereung Market specialized street will be completed in 2021, and the Sagajeong 51-gil specialized street and Sangbong-dong Food Alley specialized street are also scheduled to be completed sequentially.

In the urban development sector to foster growth engines, the Myeonmok Line urban railway (light rail) project was selected as a preliminary feasibility study project by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the preliminary feasibility study is underway. The GTX Sangbong Station complex transfer center is proceeding step by step, and efforts are being made to build convenient transportation infrastructure. The integrated development of Myeonmok Administrative Complex Town aims to start construction in December this year, beginning with the demolition of Hansarang Village Apartments, and the SH headquarters relocation project to Sinnae-dong is also progressing without delay.

In the field of Future Jungnang in education and culture, the largest district-level Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center was opened, education support expenses were increased by 8 billion KRW, and 15 public libraries within 10 minutes’ distance were expanded, dramatically improving the educational environment. Also, the Jungnang Mangwoo Space was completed to make the Manguri Historical and Cultural Park, a living museum of modern and contemporary Korean history, more pleasant and comfortable to enjoy. The district is promoting the establishment of a branch of the Sejong Cultural Center and the Myeonmok Retention Basin Culture and Sports Complex Center to expand cultural infrastructure.

In the field of Warm Welfare Jungnang Together, 26 out of 30 pledged projects have been achieved early, including postpartum care support, establishment of child care centers, enactment of the Jungnang-gu Youth Basic Ordinance, support for senior centers and a 15% annual increase in senior jobs, and a 20% annual increase in jobs for the disabled, creating a happy Jungnang for everyone from children to seniors. Also, a “Animal Welfare Team” was newly established, operating TNRM (trap-neuter-return and management) for the first time among basic local governments nationwide, installing 17 feeding stations for stray cats, and strengthening support for companion animals including 24-hour emergency treatment for abandoned animals.

In the field of Collaborative Governance Jungnang through Communication and Participation, the district has expanded resident communication by holding the annual Jungnang Vision 100 Roundtable, creating community vitality spaces as shared spaces for residents, and conducting 100 alley cleanups with residents, leading to the activation of public-private cooperation.

Despite the difficult situation due to COVID-19, Jungnang-gu received the highest grade (SA) in the “2021 National Basic Local Government Heads Pledge Implementation Evaluation” announced by the Korea Manifesto Practice Headquarters, as a result of efforts over the past three years and six months to fulfill pledged projects promised to residents.

Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi said, “We will continue to work hard so that the seeds sown together with the 400,000 residents of Jungnang-gu bear shining fruits with definite results,” adding, “Based on the record budget of 905 billion KRW, we will lead greater changes together with the residents by making welfare more thorough, the economy more vibrant, and education levels the highest.”