[Interview] Lee Jeong-hoon, Gangdong-gu Mayor: "Creating a City Where Everyone Is Happy Without Discrimination Between Regions and Classes"

Large-scale projects driving growth in Gangdong-gu, including Godeok Biz Valley, are progressing smoothly... Establishing a foundation for balanced development with various policies to revitalize old downtown areas

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] “The biggest challenge for Gangdong-gu, which is experiencing the greatest growth and change since its establishment, is balanced development. We have been striving to create a more harmonious and happy Gangdong-gu without discrimination between regions and classes by distributing the fruits of growth evenly.”

Lee Jung-hoon, the mayor of Gangdong-gu, said this in an interview with this publication, describing the goal of the 7th local government term as “Together Happy Gangdong.”

Gangdong-gu can currently be called the most dynamic city in Seoul. It is the only autonomous district in Seoul where the extension projects of subway lines 5, 8, and 9 are simultaneously underway. Large-scale industrial complex development projects, such as the Godeok Biz Valley and Gangdong General Industrial Complex, which are rarely seen in autonomous districts, are also in progress. Additionally, various types of development projects, including the Cheonho and Cheonho-Seongnae Redevelopment Promotion District projects and station area revitalization projects, are being promoted throughout the region.

First, the Godeok Biz Valley, developed on a scale of 234,523㎡, completed the supply of self-sufficient facility sites last year, and new construction is actively underway on 15 plots. Seven companies will move in this year, and about 40 companies will sequentially move in by 2024.

Gangdong-gu is sequentially signing business agreements with companies moving into the self-sufficient facility sites in Godeok Biz Valley. The mayor explained, “The agreements include plans for local community contributions by each company, such as prioritizing the employment of Gangdong residents, supporting youth startups, and implementing welfare projects, which will greatly increase employment and startup opportunities for local residents and young people in Gangdong-gu.”

Also, the 78,136㎡ Gangdong General Industrial Complex will be developed as a digital engineering complex based on the engineering industry, which has a high value-added creation effect, integrating 3D design, PM management, and O&M. Land compensation will be completed this year, and land sales will begin in the first half of next year targeting leading digital and engineering companies. The mayor said, “Including the Godeok Biz Valley, Gangdong General Industrial Complex, and the high-tech business complex established in 2005, these are called the three heart projects. When these three heart projects are completed in 2024, we expect an economic inducement effect of 20 trillion won and the creation of about 110,000 jobs.”

Moreover, most of the complex developments centered around Cheonho-daero will be completed in 2024. Currently, the Cheonho Redevelopment Promotion District zones 1, 2, and 3, Cheonho-Seongnae Redevelopment Promotion District zones 4 and 8, and Seongnae zones 3 and 5 are actively progressing. The mayor said, “The area along Cheonho-daero was once one of Seoul’s leading commercial districts, but development was relatively delayed compared to other areas. Once the ongoing projects are completed, Cheonho-daero will rise again as a central commercial area, creating a large floating population and many jobs.”

Along with this, when the reconstruction projects led by Dunchon Jugong Apartments are sequentially completed, Gangdong-gu’s population will grow to about 540,000 in 2024 and about 600,000 by 2030, establishing itself as one of the four major districts in Gangnam.

In 2024, when large-scale development projects such as Godeok Biz Valley are completed, the floating population will also increase explosively. For this reason, the ongoing subway extension projects for lines 5, 8, and 9 are more important than anything else.

Last year, the extension of line 5 was completed, and Gangil Station opened in March. The section from Amsa Station on line 8 to Guri City and Byeollae New Town will be completed next year.

Also, the 4th phase extension of line 9 began in earnest with the start of construction of section 2 in August last year and sections 1 and 3 in December. The mayor said, “We will do our best to expand bus routes and build transportation networks to minimize residents’ inconvenience until the subway extension projects are completed.”

In particular, most large-scale redevelopment and reconstruction projects have been concentrated in the eastern Godeok and Sangil areas of Gangdong-gu, widening the gap with the old downtown. To address this, about 150 billion won has been invested in creating living SOC (Social Overhead Capital) facilities only in the Cheonho-dong area.

Last year, many facilities that had been promoted in the old downtown area of Gangdong-gu, such as the “Gangdong 50 Plus Center” and “Cheonho Aurem Center,” opened their doors. Also, in April this year, the “Youth Culture House” and in May, the “Active Senior Job Sharing Center” are scheduled to open sequentially. The “Gangdong Eoullim Comprehensive Welfare Center for the Disabled,” designed to include both disabled and non-disabled people, broke ground on the 30th. The mayor said, “In addition to large living SOC facilities, we are installing life-close SOC facilities that residents really need in residential areas throughout the region to resolve the inequality of living SOC spaces.”