[Interview] Kim Gilsung, Candidate for Mayor of Jung-gu, Seoul: "Revitalizing Jung-gu through Redevelopment of Sewoon District and Lifting Namsan Height Restrictions"

Kim Gil-seong, People Power Party Candidate for Seoul Jung-gu Mayor, Expresses Commitment to Redevelopment of Sewoon District Transforming into Green Ecological Urban Area, Modernization of Jung-gu Traditional Markets, Globalization of Dongdaemun Fashion Town, and Relaxation of Height Restrictions on 1,153,385㎡ in Dasan-dong, Jangchung-dong, Pildong, Hoehyeon-dong, Myeong-dong through Close Coordination with Central Government and Seoul City to Create a Pleasant Residential Environment

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “Seoul Jung-gu, which is gradually aging, needs a new growth engine. Through organic cooperation with the new Yoon Seok-yeol administration and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, I will become a new growth engine for the development of Jung-gu.”

Kim Gil-sung, the People Power Party candidate for Jung-gu Mayor of Seoul, met with reporters on the afternoon of the 18th and emphasized, “Due to urban concentration, the residential environment is poor, and with the deterioration of education and the urban environment, the population is continuously decreasing. Seeing Jung-gu losing vitality as a central district due to urban hollowing, I feel deeply concerned and understand well what the problems of Jung-gu are and how to best transform and develop Jung-gu.”

With this urgency, he introduced himself as a candidate equipped with a well-rounded background in administration, legislation, and management, including experience as an administrative officer at the Presidential Office, president of Yongin Urban Corporation, director of the Yeouido Research Institute, and secretary-general of the Kaesong Industrial Complex Support Foundation, confident in actively solving the various urban problems accumulated in Jung-gu.

Born in Buan, Jeonbuk, and a “Jung-gu native” who graduated from Gwanghui Elementary, Dongbuk Middle, and Seongdong High School in Jung-gu, Kim stated that he will become a new growth engine for Jung-gu’s development through organic cooperation with the new Yoon Seok-yeol administration and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

Kim said, “Having grown up with Jung-gu, I will create a ‘united Jung-gu’ and a ‘prestigious Jung-gu’ through active communication with the 120,000 Jung-gu residents,” and appealed for active support, saying, “With abundant experience and solid capability, I will surely win and repay with greater development of Jung-gu.”

Regarding his main pledges, Kim announced plans to promote the redevelopment of the Sewoon District, which is transforming into a green ecological urban area, modernization of Jung-gu’s traditional markets, and globalization of Dongdaemun Fashion Town.

He also mentioned plans to build a big data-artificial intelligence civil complaint processing system, maintain constant communication with residents, prepare the Silver Vitality Program at the Senior Health Center for elderly health, increase support for senior citizen merit allowances and transportation expenses, support postpartum care costs and increase childbirth subsidies to make Jung-gu a good place to raise children, supply educational content for elementary, middle, and high school students, and expand after-school care services, all aimed at making Jung-gu a desirable place to live.

In particular, the Sewoon District redevelopment is a project to develop the old downtown with high-density, mixed-use development while securing green spaces simultaneously. It is a method that promotes redevelopment and greening at the same time, aiming to transform the deteriorated center of Seoul into a green-rich urban area like London in the UK or Manhattan in the US, where high-rise building forests and tree forests coexist.

Along with this, regarding the biggest issue in Jung-gu, he stated, “The most urgent local issue in Jung-gu is to solve the continuously decreasing population.”

The district’s population currently stands at 122,000, the lowest among Seoul’s 25 autonomous districts, and due to urban hollowing, it is losing vitality as a major city center. Therefore, he emphasized that population inflow policies are the top priority to resolve.

Kim explained, “To solve this, we will actively promote the designation of redevelopment zones in undesignated areas, promptly proceed with remodeling projects for old and aging apartments, build happy housing (for youth and newlyweds) near subway stations, and create a pleasant residential environment.”

As a measure to improve the outflow and decrease of parents and student populations, he promised to establish a new middle school, foster prestigious high schools, strengthen local educational competitiveness, promote various scholarship projects and educational programs for talent discovery and cultivation, and actively support school environment improvements.

Kim also revealed plans to support the recovery of the depressed tourism special zone through facility modernization, parking lot construction, and continuous support via fashion festivals, aiming to make it a world-class attraction where culture and fashion harmonize.

Especially, he emphasized that he will actively promote the designation of redevelopment zones in undesignated areas such as the Namsan height restriction zone, a long-standing wish of Jung-gu residents, proceed with remodeling projects for old apartments, designate district unit planning zones and maintenance zones, secure a pleasant and high-quality residential environment, improve residents’ quality of life, and realize a desirable Jung-gu.

Kim said, “Areas such as Dasan-dong, Jangchung-dong, Pildong, Hoehyeon-dong, and Myeong-dong, totaling 1,153,385 square meters, are restricted by height limits due to the Namsan height restriction, limiting property rights,” and added, “As a powerful district mayor candidate, I will closely consult with central government ministries and Seoul City to ease height restrictions, create a pleasant residential environment, attract population inflow, and contribute to revitalizing the local economy.”

Finally, Kim humbly stated, “As a ‘Jung-gu native’ who graduated from elementary, middle, and high school in Jung-gu, I will create new growth engines for Jung-gu with a humble attitude for stable district administration through smooth communication with Jung-gu office staff, the Jung-gu council, and residents, enriching the lives of Jung-gu residents and making Jung-gu a prestigious place where people want to live.”