[Interview] Kim Kyung-ho, Candidate for Gwangjin District Mayor, "I Will Completely Change Gwangjin District Urban Planning Map"

Kim Kyung-ho, People Power Party Candidate for Gwangjin District Mayor, "I will form a one team with Mayor Oh Se-hoon to drastically develop Gwangjin District. We will actively cooperate with Seoul City, which holds urban planning authority, to completely change Gwangjin's urban planning map." He stated, "We will establish the '2040 Gwangjin Plan,' the basic urban plan for Gwangjin District, especially promoting floor area ratio increases in the low-rise residential areas throughout Junggok-dong."

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] “Gwangjin-gu boasts a natural environment blessed with Achasan Mountain, the Han River, and Children’s Grand Park, but regional development has been stagnant for over 30 years, leading to the stigma of being a neglected area. Encouraged by Mayor Oh Se-hoon to change Gwangjin-gu together, I decided to run in this local election. I will definitely win and lay a major stepping stone for the long-cherished development of Gwangjin by 340,000 residents.”

Kim Kyung-ho, the People Power Party candidate for Gwangjin-gu mayor, said in an interview with this paper, “I am running to develop the Gwangjin area,” adding, “I will form a one team with Mayor Oh Se-hoon and completely change the urban planning map of Gwangjin-gu.”

He continued, “Together with President Yoon Seok-yeol and Mayor Oh Se-hoon, I will dedicate my extensive administrative experience, management know-how, lifelong personal network, and passionate enthusiasm to thoroughly transform the long-stagnant Gwangjin-gu.”

After passing the 31st Administrative Examination, Kim served as Director of Welfare and Health in Seoul City, Head of the Urban Transportation Headquarters, and was appointed Deputy Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, establishing a valuable connection with the district. He emphasized his competitiveness as an urban administration expert to the residents of Gwangjin-gu and appealed for their support.

Kim’s top priority pledge is regional development. He stated, “Although Gwangjin-gu is a city with a blessed natural environment and excellent residential conditions, its urban planning has not significantly changed from the level of 30 years ago, and only patchwork partial urban planning revisions have been made, resulting in a city that is noticeably underdeveloped compared to neighboring districts.” He stressed the need for a comprehensive readjustment.

He also pledged, “I will completely readjust Gwangjin-gu’s urban planning and establish the ‘2040 Gwangjin Plan,’ the district’s basic urban plan, to make it the best city in Seoul, even better than Gangnam. This will be reflected in Seoul’s ‘2040 Seoul Plan.’” He added that he would actively promote Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s rapid integration plan, Moa Town, and housing policies to expedite regional development.

In particular, he announced plans to promote zoning upgrades for the entire low-rise residential area of Junggok-dong, transforming it into a pleasant residential innovation city.

Kim promised, “Implementing this requires cooperation between the district mayor, who has the authority to draft urban plans, and Seoul City, which holds the decision-making power. I will form a one team with Mayor Oh Se-hoon to completely change the urban planning map of Gwangjin-gu.”

He also mentioned plans to promote the undergrounding of the Dongbu Expressway, establish urban planning around Dongil-ro, and create a waterfront emotional city along with the Jungnangcheon Stream.

Additionally, he plans to readjust urban planning around the East Seoul Terminal site, modernize the terminal, develop it as a regional hub, and create a central commercial district.

He pledged to fully modernize Children’s Grand Park, transforming it into an experiential educational facility that children and parents in Gwangjin-gu can enjoy together.

Kim said, “The area around Children’s Grand Park will be developed based on London’s Hyde Park model,” adding, “We will expand roads adjacent to the park and boost regional development by upgrading urban planning zoning.”

He also stated that the undeveloped sports facility site in Gwangjang-dong, untouched for 40 years, will be turned into an eco-friendly park and cultural infrastructure, with the Gwangjang-dong Community Center relocated there to return it to the residents.

Kim reiterated his commitment to communicate and unify with the residents of Gwangjin-gu to achieve such regional development.

He said, “I will communicate sincerely. I will listen carefully with open ears to hear even what is unspoken, and open my eyes wide to observe even what is unseen. In administration, there are no sides, only 340,000 residents. I will move forward vigorously focusing solely on the residents.”

He concluded the interview by promising to expand the limited finances of Gwangjin-gu to ensure no shortage in welfare for residents, and to provide support for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans’ families, childcare, education, culture, and community sports without lacking compared to any other district.