Song "Gangbuk Station Area Development" Oh "Youth Job Creation"

Song "Significant Urban Rail Disparity Between Gangnam and Gangbuk"
Transportation Pledges Including New High-Speed Rail Stations

Oh "Will Create a Virtuous Cycle in the 4th Industrial Revolution"
Free Practical Training for 2030 Job Seekers

Song Young-gil, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, is announcing the 'Gangbuk Anyone Near Station' policy pledge at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 24th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Song Young-gil, the Democratic Party candidate, and Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, both running for Seoul mayor, announced their respective policies on balanced development between Gangnam and Gangbuk and job creation on the 24th. Song proposed the “Gangbuk Anyone Near a Station” pledge for balanced development between Gangnam and Gangbuk, while Oh presented job policies in five areas focusing on creating youth jobs through attracting 4th industrial revolution industries. With eight days left until the June 1 local elections, the candidates are intensifying their policy competition.

On the same day, Song held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and announced transportation improvement pledges for the Gangbuk area, including establishing a high-speed rail station at Changdong Station, early completion of the Gangbuk light rail, and promotion of new lines. Accordingly, the Suseo SRT will also depart from Changdong Station, and the Gangbuk Transversal Line, Myeonmok Line, and Ui New Extension Line will be completed early to ensure arrival at a subway station within 15 minutes. Song’s pledges also include establishing the New Gangbuk Line, Northeast Line, and Sanggye Extension Line.

Song said, “The proportion of administrative districts with three or more subway stations is 64% in Gangnam-gu and 67% in Seocho-gu, whereas in Seoul’s northeast area, it is only 15% in Gangbuk, 11% in Nowon, and 14% in Dobong, showing a significant gap in urban rail infrastructure between Gangnam and Gangbuk. Through this pledge, we will resolve the regional imbalance in station accessibility.”

On the 23rd, Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, is appealing for support at Yongsan Station Plaza in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Oh countered with job creation through attracting 4th industrial revolution industries. At the Seoul Startup Hub Magok M Plus Center, Oh stated, “We will create a ‘virtuous cycle structure of the 4th industrial revolution’ where companies related to the 4th industrial revolution, young workers, and young entrepreneurs can grow simultaneously.”

He plans to attract 4th industrial revolution companies, regarded as future growth industries, to ten innovation business hubs such as Magok, G-Valley, and Yangjae, and provide free practical training in AI, software, fintech (finance + technology), and more to job-seeking youth aged 20 to 30. Additionally, the “Youth Employment Academy” will be expanded from the current three districts?Yeongdeungpo, Geumcheon, and Mapo?to all autonomous districts. Furthermore, Seoul City, Korea Venture Investment Corp., and private investors will jointly invest over 2.3 trillion won to launch the “Future Innovation Growth Fund 2.0” project. The invested funds will be used to support startups in IT and future industries.