Achieved 98.02% Fulfillment Rate of 7th Term Election Promises, Promoted as Mapo-gu Brand Reputation No.1... Attracting Overseas Tourists to Mapo, the Sacred Place of K-Drama and K-Pop in Hongdae Tourist District
[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo District, held a press conference at 11 a.m. on the 21st at his election office, officially announcing his candidacy for re-election under the slogan "Developing Mapo, Experienced Mayor."
Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun stated, "As of March 2022, during the 7th local government term, we achieved a 98.02% pledge fulfillment rate. In 2021, the Mapo District social survey showed that 93.7% of residents wanted to continue living in Mapo even after 10 years, a significant increase compared to two years ago. Additionally, in November of the same year, the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute ranked Mapo District first in brand reputation, surpassing Gangnam," adding, "These achievements reflect the results that residents have felt during my four years in office in the 7th local government term."
Regarding major accomplishments, especially COVID-19 quarantine and local economic revitalization policies, Mayor Yoo said, "In the COVID-19 crisis, until April 2022, we provided a total of 281.6 billion KRW, including national and city funds, for government emergency disaster relief funds and COVID coexistence support funds related to COVID-19 damage," and added, "We did our best to revitalize the local economy by issuing a total of 120 billion KRW in Mapo Love Gift Certificates over two years until March this year through the activation of local currency."
On the key achievements of the 7th local government term, he explained, "With the philosophy that no one in Mapo should be driven to the streets due to financial difficulties, we created ‘MH Mapo Housing’ to provide housing support to households in housing crisis. For those without family support, we established the ‘Anything Consultation Desk’ at community service centers to solve any difficulties. Responding to residents’ requests for comfortable breathing without worrying about fine dust, we focused on the ‘5 million tree planting’ project to alleviate fine dust and urban heat island effects as part of the Mapo-style Green New Deal."
For the main vision of the 8th local government term, Yoo Dong-gyun presented five friendly city types and five visions as follows: first, ▲ Elder-friendly city ▲ Child-friendly city ▲ Women-friendly city ▲ Youth-friendly city ▲ Single-person household-friendly city. For the 8th term Yoo Dong-gyun Season 2, the five visions are ▲ Mapo as a cultural tourism city meeting urban nature ▲ Mapo as a sustainable innovative growth city ▲ People-centered Mapo for future generations ▲ Eco-friendly carbon-zero smart safety city ▲ Reliable welfare Mapo that takes responsibility for my life.
Mayor Yoo outlined key pledges, saying, "We will discover Mapo’s historical, cultural, and tourism resources, create streets honoring figures who illuminated Mapo, and add stories to Mapo’s history." He expressed his ambition, "We will build a K-pop and Hallyu performance hall at Mapo Retention Basin, designate the area in front of Hongdae as a tourism special district, and as Korea attracts global attention through Squid Game, K-dramas, and BTS, Mapo District, the holy land of K-pop, will take the lead in welcoming overseas tourists."
He continued, "I propose a vision to develop Mapo into four major zones: the Sangam area based on DMC’s ‘industrial convergence innovation,’ the Hongdae area for ‘emotional and design innovation,’ the Hapjeong area for ‘cultural and tourism innovation,’ and the Gongdeok area as an ‘economic hub’ centered on financial service industries." He added, "In connection with Sangam DMC, we will establish an AI digital innovation education center to become a cradle for nurturing digital youth talents in the 4th industrial revolution," confidently throwing down the gauntlet as the incumbent mayor.
Finally, having lived in Mapo for over 50 years and proud to be a Mapo expert, Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun said, "I have not yet reached even half of my destination," and "By looking at the path one has walked, you can know the path they will take ahead." He pledged, "As a capable worker for Mapo, I will open the future of Mapo with infinite possibilities. For a better future and a soaring era of Mapo, I ask the residents once again to hold Yoo Dong-gyun’s hand."
Developing Mapo, Experienced Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun Declares Candidacy for Mapo District Mayor
- Declaration of the ‘Era of Mapo, Seoul’s Core City’ with Residents -
Date: 2022. 4. 21. 11:00
Location: 7th Floor, Election Office
78 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seogyo Building, Room 702
Dear respected residents of Mapo District!
Dear members of the press who have joined us!
Hello.
I am Yoo Dong-gyun, the developing Mapo, experienced mayor, candidate for Mapo District Mayor.
On the upcoming June 1 local election,
I humbly accept the will of Mapo residents
and declare my candidacy for the 8th local government term to continue the uninterrupted development of our Mapo District.
I, Yoo Dong-gyun, have lived in Mapo for 50 years
and have received much love from Mapo residents.
You, the residents of Mapo, allowed me to serve twice as a district council member and city council member, and four years ago, you gave me the opportunity to serve as the mayor of Mapo District.
I have always been grateful for the hearts of the residents who made me who I am today.
Therefore, I worked very hard.
During the COVID-19 crisis, until April 2022, we provided a total of 281.6 billion KRW, including 104.2 billion KRW in government emergency disaster relief funds, 63.5 billion KRW in COVID coexistence support funds, and 11.8 billion KRW for living expenses for COVID-19 hospitalized and isolated individuals.
Through the activation of local currency, we issued a total of 120 billion KRW in Mapo Love Gift Certificates over two years until March this year, and sold out within 20 minutes, making our best efforts to revitalize the local economy.
With the philosophy that no one in Mapo should be driven to the streets due to money, we created ‘MH Mapo Housing’ and established ‘Anything Consultation Desks’ at all community centers.
MH Mapo Housing and the Anything Consultation Desk are projects where, even if you have no family to help, no home, no money, or no rice, you can come to us.
No matter what difficulties you face, just tell us, and Mapo District Office will help you.
Also, responding to residents’ wishes to breathe comfortably without worrying about fine dust, we started the ‘5 million tree planting’ project in Mapo.
Over the past four years, I have devoted my utmost effort to realizing the dreams of residents through policies and achieving the future they desire.
And the support, encouragement, participation, and companionship of you, the owners of Mapo, made these results shine even more.
I will never forget those who, thanks to MH Mapo Housing, had no place to sleep but now have a home and held my hand in tears, and those who, with the help of the Anything Consultation Desk, escaped the shadow of domestic violence and started a new life, expressing their gratitude repeatedly.
Dear beloved and respected residents of Mapo!
As of March 2022, I have fulfilled 98.02% of my pledges, keeping my promises to residents.
In last year’s Mapo District quality of life social survey,
the percentage of those who want to live in Mapo even after 10 years rose sharply from 85% in 2019 to 93.7% in 2021.
In November 2021, the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute announced that Mapo District ranked first in brand reputation among basic local governments, surpassing Gangnam for the first time in 15 years.
I believe this reflects the results that residents have felt during my four years in office in the 7th local government term.
The development of Mapo is not complete but ongoing.
Over the past four years, Mapo District has grown together with its residents,
achieving growth where everyone prospers.
Continuity in governance is important.
We must spur the running horse.
I, Yoo Dong-gyun, who works well, have started.
I will leap forward even more.
Building on the foundation laid over the past four years, I will work harder and run even more for another four years.
I will definitely open the era of Mapo as Seoul’s core city.
I promise Mapo residents
five friendly city types and five visions for the new era of Mapo as a core city in the metropolitan area.
First, I will make Mapo a friendly city for the elderly, children, women, youth, and single-person households.
Having grown up poor myself, I, Yoo Dong-gyun, will make Mapo a place that cares more for socially vulnerable groups.
These are the five visions of Yoo Dong-gyun’s Season 2 for Mapo, Seoul’s core city.
First, Mapo as a cultural tourism city meeting urban nature.
We will discover Mapo’s historical, cultural, and tourism resources,
create streets honoring figures who illuminated Mapo, and add stories to Mapo’s history.
(Such as Kim Ik-sang, lawyer Jo Young-rae, etc.)
We will build a K-pop and Hallyu performance hall at Mapo Retention Basin.
Also, by designating the area in front of Hongdae as a tourism and cultural special district,
in the post-COVID era, as Korea attracts global attention through Squid Game, K-dramas, and BTS,
Mapo District, the holy land of K-pop, will take the lead in welcoming the influx of overseas tourists.
Second, Mapo will become a sustainable innovative growth city.
Mapo will be developed into four major zones:
the Sangam area based on DMC’s ‘industrial convergence innovation,’
the Hongdae area for ‘emotional and design innovation,’
the Hapjeong area for ‘cultural and tourism innovation,’
and the Gongdeok area as an ‘economic hub’ centered on financial service industries.
We will also expedite ongoing redevelopment, reconstruction, and maintenance projects.
We will bring innovation to housing policies.
In Mapo, we will not use negative terms related to rental housing.
MH Mapo Housing will be subdivided into five categories: youth housing, newlywed housing, care and safety housing, housing for descendants of independence activists, and housing for national merit recipients, creating a new housing culture.
Third, we will create a people-centered Mapo for future generations.
Creative people required in the 21st century grow through diverse activities.
Children living in Mapo, who receive education here,
will experience rowing on water to overcome fear of water, learn survival swimming to stay afloat, play at least one musical instrument, and engage in at least one sport,
developing physically and emotionally.
Also, in connection with Sangam DMC,
we will establish an AI digital innovation education center to become a cradle for nurturing digital youth talents in the 4th industrial revolution.
Fourth, we will create an eco-friendly carbon-zero smart safety city.
We will expand the 5 million tree planting project started in the 7th local government term,
making Mapo a carbon-zero eco-friendly forest city.
We will refurbish the top 10 walking paths in Mapo to create premium, safe walking paths.
We will expand electric vehicle charging stations and move toward an eco-friendly hydrogen-centered energy city.
Fifth, we will make Mapo a reliable welfare city that takes responsibility for residents’ lives.
Starting with the philosophy, "Mapo District Office will hold your hand in times of crisis,"
the Anything Consultation Desk will be expanded to provide more support for housing and various livelihood needs.
From minor daily life consultations to welfare counseling for basic survival,
we will operate a ‘public total care system’ with a dense safety net to ensure no household in crisis suffers misfortune in Mapo.
Dear respected residents!
I believe I have not yet reached even half of my destination.
It is said that by looking at the path one has walked, you can know the path they will take ahead.
I stake my achievements over the past four years working for Mapo’s development
and seek to be evaluated confidently by Mapo residents.
I will stake sincerity, not luck, trickery, or lies.
As a capable worker for Mapo,
I will open the future of Mapo with infinite possibilities.
I will build an even stronger framework for Mapo’s development.
This is just the beginning.
For a better future and a soaring era of Mapo,
please hold Yoo Dong-gyun’s hand once again.
Thank you.
April 21, 2022.
Democratic Party of Korea
Preliminary candidate for Mapo District Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun
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