Former Jungnang-gu Mayor Najin-gu Declares Candidacy for Jungnang-gu Mayor Election

Najin-gu Candidate Announces Vision to Develop Jungnang-gu into Seoul's Happiest City for Residents and a Vibrant New Northeast Hub ▲ Revolutionary Improvement of Residential Environment Linked to Seoul Housing Policy ▲ Early Start of Sangbong Terminal Complex Development ▲ Commencement of Myeonmok Light Rail within Term ▲ Public Development of Yongma Land ▲ Creation of High-Tech Industrial Complex near Sinnae IC ? Announces ‘BIG5 Pledges’ for Jungnang Development

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Na Jin-gu, former mayor of Jungnang-gu during the 6th local government term, officially declared his candidacy for the Jungnang-gu mayoral election in the ‘8th Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections’ at 11 a.m. on the 3rd at his campaign office in Sangbong-dong, Jungnang-gu.

Candidate Na began his official campaign without holding a separate opening ceremony to comply with quarantine rules and prevention measures amid the COVID-19 situation.

Along with his candidacy declaration, Candidate Na revealed his vision to develop Jungnang-gu into “the happiest city for residents’ lives in Seoul and a vibrant new center of the northeastern region” through his creative and honest district administration capabilities and a perfect partnership with Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

Candidate Na pointed out, “Over the past four years, Jungnang-gu’s regional development has stagnated or regressed due to incompetent and corrupt district administration. The civil service society is at its worst with unfair personnel practices and factionalism, and public opinion is widespread that various construction contracts are monopolized by profit cartels.” He also criticized, “Long-standing resident projects such as the construction of the Myeonmok Complex Administrative Town and the complex development of Sangbong Terminal, which had blueprints drawn up four years ago, have seen no progress.”

Regarding the background of his decision to run, Candidate Na stated that there were continuous requests from residents to “bring a refreshing breeze of change to Jungnang once again” and many earnest recommendations from those around him to “form a partnership again with Mayor Oh Se-hoon and dedicate himself to Jungnang’s development.” Candidate Na previously worked closely with Mayor Oh Se-hoon during the latter’s 4th local government term as Seoul City’s Director of Management Planning and Administrative Deputy Mayor.

Candidate Na also announced his ‘BIG5 pledges’ for Jungnang’s development: ▲A revolutionary improvement of residential environments linked with Seoul’s housing policies, including mini new town (Moatown) projects in low-rise residential areas ▲Public development of Yongmaland and creation of a family-themed park ▲Ultra-high-rise complex development of Sangbong Terminal ▲Commencement of light rail construction between Myeonmok and Sinnae within his term ▲Creation of a high-tech industrial complex around Sinnae IC. In addition to the ‘BIG5 pledges,’ he revealed plans to nurture the ‘Seoul Rose Festival,’ which he first introduced during his tenure as mayor, into a global festival.

This election is expected to be a true contest between former Mayor Na Jin-gu’s 6th local government term and current Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi’s 7th local government term, based on their respective four-year administrative achievements.

Candidate Na said, “The local election four years ago was held amid the collapse of the conservative camp, and many believe a true contest did not take place. But now the situation has changed.” He expressed his ambition, saying, “If elected again as Jungnang-gu mayor, I will ensure that Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s administration, which has worked hard to make Seoul a fair city that runs again, becomes a beacon of hope for Jungnang. I will restore Jungnang and bring a refreshing breeze of change to Jungnang once again.”

I declare my candidacy for Jungnang-gu mayoral election

Dear respected and beloved residents of Jungnang-gu,

I intend to run as a candidate for Jungnang-gu mayor in the

‘8th Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections’ to be held on June 1.

Jungnang-gu is a city with abundant growth potential

compared to any other area in Seoul,

but over the past four years, due to incompetent and corrupt district administration,

regional development has stagnated or regressed.

In particular, the civil service society is at its worst with unfair personnel practices and factionalism,

and public opinion is widespread that various construction contracts are monopolized by ‘profit cartels.’

Long-standing resident projects such as the construction of the Myeonmok Complex Administrative Town and the complex development of Sangbong Terminal,

which had blueprints drawn up four years ago,

are at a standstill and unable to move forward.

As the mayor of Jungnang-gu during the 6th local government term,

I worked harder than anyone else for Jungnang’s development,

and I have great affection for the residents and the region,

so I could no longer turn a blind eye to this situation.

Therefore, I have decided to run in this Jungnang-gu mayoral election.

I have pondered over this decision for a very long time.

Because the residents’ requests to bring a refreshing breeze of change to Jungnang again have never ceased.

Also, when I worked as Seoul City’s Administrative Deputy Mayor,

I worked hand in hand with Mayor Oh Se-hoon for balanced development between Gangnam and Gangbuk and for Jungnang’s development,

and there have been many earnest recommendations from those around me to form a partnership again with Mayor Oh

and dedicate myself to Jungnang’s development.

During my tenure as Jungnang-gu mayor in the 6th local government term,

I innovated district administration with creative and honest leadership,

successfully promoted projects that contributed to regional development such as the Seoul Rose Festival, the construction of the Sinnae-dong Knowledge Industry Center, and the designation of Myeonmok Fashion (Sewing) Special Zone,

and elevated Jungnang to a ‘happy city where people want to live and be proud of.’

If I am chosen again by the 400,000 residents of Jungnang-gu in the upcoming June 1 local election,

I will develop Jungnang into the city in Seoul where residents’ lives are the happiest,

and a vibrant new center of the northeastern region.

I believe this vision can definitely be achieved

if my creative and honest district administration capabilities

and Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s philosophy of making Seoul a ‘fair city that runs again’

come together in a perfect partnership.

Dear residents of Jungnang-gu,

This June 1 local election holds

an important meaning beyond ordinary local elections.

Although the incompetent central government power was replaced by the wise choice of the people,

for citizens’ and residents’ real lives to improve,

the local power monopolized by one faction must also be replaced.

Especially in Seoul, over the past decade, due to immoral and incompetent leaders,

citizens’ lives have been impoverished,

and the city’s global competitiveness has plummeted.

The roots of this damage run deep, and to normalize Seoul’s administration,

truly capable, honest, and creative leadership was needed.

Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s administration, which has worked hard over the past year to restore Seoul and make it a fair city that runs again,

has shown us hope that Seoul can be normalized

and dream again of being a global Top 5 city.

That hope must now extend to Jungnang.

Jungnang must stand straight again.

We will break the profit cartels of specific groups

through fair personnel appointments based on ability rather than birthplace,

and transparent public construction contracts conducted through open competition.

We will breathe new life into residential areas such as Myeonmok-dong, Junghwa-dong, and Muk-dong, which have stagnated under the name of urban regeneration.

We will also promptly promote long-standing resident projects that have been at a standstill, such as the construction of the Myeonmok light rail and the complex development of Sangbong Terminal,

bringing a refreshing breeze of change to Jungnang once again.

With Mayor Oh Se-hoon and me joining hands,

we will normalize Seoul City and Jungnang-gu and strive for groundbreaking development.

We ask for the strong support and encouragement of the residents of Jungnang-gu. Thank you.