Announcement of Plans for Bio Medical Research Complex Activation, Textile Industry Development Complex Creation, Vulnerable Area CCTV Expansion in the 8th Local Government Term... Directly Checking Issues by Visiting Saenal Dongdaemun Independent Living Center, Hoegi-dong Annyeong Village, and District Office Daycare Centers as Term Begins
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The inauguration ceremony of Lee Pil-hyung, the 8th elected mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, was held at 3 p.m. on the 1st in the multipurpose auditorium on the 2nd floor of the district office.
The ceremony was organized as a communication platform to share the vision and policy direction for the administration of Dongdaemun-gu under the 8th elected mayor. About 1,000 residents and executives of grade 5 or higher attended the event, adding luster to the occasion.
The ceremony proceeded in the order of opening declaration, oath-taking, inaugural speech, reading of congratulatory messages and screening of congratulatory videos, and congratulatory remarks.
Mayor Lee said, “While campaigning and meeting residents, I was able to see the current status and future of Dongdaemun,” and announced plans to continue policies aligned with the 8th elected administration’s motto of ‘pleasantly, safely, transparently’ based on communication with residents, including ▲prompt promotion of reconstruction and redevelopment ▲activation of the bio-medical research complex ▲creation of the Seoul northeastern experiential tourism belt ▲establishment of a garment industry promotion complex ▲expansion of CCTV and operational personnel in vulnerable areas ▲securing residents’ pedestrian rights through street vendor regulation and management of street stalls ▲and environmental maintenance around ‘Bapper’ (community meal service).
After the ceremony, meetings with staff continued. Mayor Lee greeted the employees and asked for their active participation in the successful transformation of Dongdaemun-gu under the 8th elected administration.
Lee Pil-hyung, mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, said, “Now, I have only Dongdaemun. I will keep deeply in my heart the command ‘Open Dongdaemun, Change Dongdaemun.’ I will actively cooperate with anyone for the development of Dongdaemun,” and expressed his gratitude, “I sincerely thank the residents who elected me as the 8th elected mayor of Dongdaemun-gu for their warm support.”
Mayor Lee began his work at midnight on the 1st by inspecting the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, paid respects at the National Cemetery, and visited the memorial for the 16 patriots who died in the Korean War. He then visited the Saenal Dongdaemun Center for Independent Living of the Disabled, Annyeong Village in Hoegi-dong, and the district office daycare center in sequence to directly check on local issues.
Inaugural Address
Respected 340,000 residents of Dongdaemun-gu!
Hello. Thank you.
First of all, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the distinguished guests and residents who attended today.
I stand here today with a humble heart facing the reality Dongdaemun is facing.
I thank former Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol, who devoted himself to Dongdaemun and cooperated greatly during the transition period.
During the 7th elected administration, there were peaceful times and difficult times. These processes and history have shaped today’s Dongdaemun.
Of course, the efforts and dedication of the mayors were important for today’s Dongdaemun. However, it is the residents of Dongdaemun-gu who have protected Dongdaemun.
Now, we face new challenges. We must overcome the next 12 years starting from the next 4 years. That is why we have gathered here. Now is the time for us to change Dongdaemun.
What is change? It is something different and new. I have seen the expectations and passion for change from our residents. They all said, ‘Change Dongdaemun. Yes, change Dongdaemun. And change Dongdaemun properly.’
The residents demand a new Dongdaemun. They want Dongdaemun to change. Because the residents want change, change is inevitable. My inauguration as mayor of Dongdaemun-gu is that moment. Change is already here with us.
For the change of Dongdaemun-gu, I will steadily and carefully carry out the promises made to the residents.
I will make Dongdaemun-gu a model of a ‘future development city, a new leading city of Seoul.’
Respected residents of Dongdaemun-gu!
During my campaign, I realized something. Whenever I walked through alleys, visited shops, or strolled along Jang-an Cherry Blossom Road, residents gave me encouragement and advice. They shared my campaign catchphrase and the direction of district administration.
Looking back, I just had to follow the thoughts and wishes of the residents. At that time, I could see the current status and future of Dongdaemun. That is how I summarized the district administration policy as ‘pleasantly, safely, transparently.’
And I was able to be elected mayor. However, after being elected, the confidence that felt like it would fly away gradually disappeared. Before I knew it, a heavy sense of responsibility weighed on my shoulders.
One day, an acquaintance complained, “I took the KTX from Andong to Seoul, but why do I have to get off at Cheongnyangni? Why isn’t it connected to Seoul Station or Yongsan Station?”
Once again, I fell into deep contemplation about what and how to do. Why is Cheongnyangni like this? What is the problem? I asked myself repeatedly.
Then I realized that Cheongnyangni is the key to the survival of Dongdaemun-gu.
I newly realized that Dongdaemun-gu is a city with limited land and high population density. Therefore, I will benchmark densely populated cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Manhattan.
I will comprehensively develop the area around Cheongnyangni Station and Cheongnyangni Rotary to create a stepping-stone city that can anticipate the 22nd century. Cheongnyangni New Town will be developed as a core city of a future advanced city.
And I will fill Cheongnyangni with content for a future new city beyond the 21st century. I will equip it with hardware that surpasses 21st-century cities. I will also fill it with software that includes education, medical care, and culture.
My dream is to make Cheongnyangni a place where young people want to visit. I will make it the ‘central city of Seoul’s northeastern region’ where they can find sights, food, clothing, and entertainment.
And I will create an urban space where residents can meet people in Cheongnyangni, visit Gyeongdong Market and Cheongnyangni Market, shop, and then return home.
To this end, first, I will create a city with a pleasant environment.
I will nurture Cheongnyangni as the cultural activity center of Seoul’s northeastern region.
Reconstruction and redevelopment will be promptly promoted to create a pleasant and safe residential environment.
Public institutions such as the Korea Defense Research Institute in Hongneung will be relocated, and a bio-medical research complex will be activated on the site.
Through tourism development in Seoul’s northeastern region, I will revitalize the market districts around Pungmul Market and Yakryeong Market.
I will create the ‘Seoul Northeastern Experiential Tourism Belt’ connecting “Gyeongbokgung → Pungmul Market → Yakryeong Market → Hongneung.”
I will make Dongdaemun the ‘Milan of Korea.’
By establishing smart anchors and founding a fashion design school, I will build infrastructure and create an advanced roadmap for the leading fashion garment industry. I will also make active efforts to establish a garment industry promotion complex, a representative local industry.
Second, I will create a safe living environment.
To make the city safe for women, children, and the elderly, I will expand CCTV and operational personnel in vulnerable areas.
Along with regulating illegal street vendors between Jegi-dong and Cheongnyangni, I will strengthen management of licensed street stalls to secure residents’ pedestrian rights.
I will convert the ‘Bapper’ meal distribution to a delivery service method to create a better environment.
I will focus on environmental maintenance around ‘Bapper,’ designate no-smoking and no-alcohol streets, strengthen patrols, and operate security guards during meal times to alleviate residents’ anxiety.
Third, I will ensure transparent administration.
I will always communicate with residents.
To make Dongdaemun trusted by residents and efficient,
I will listen carefully to even the smallest voices of residents.
I will personally visit the sites.
I will listen closely to residents’ opinions and actively reflect the valuable feedback in district administration.
For improving the quality of life of Dongdaemun residents, I will do my best together with about 1,400 employees.
I will efficiently reorganize the district office and affiliated organizations.
I will form the ‘Dongdaemun Development Committee’ with public officials, experts, and residents to create a roadmap for Dongdaemun’s future development direction.
Respected residents of Dongdaemun-gu!
I will keep deeply in my heart the command ‘Open Dongdaemun, Change Dongdaemun.’ Now, I have only Dongdaemun.
I will actively cooperate with anyone for the development of Dongdaemun.
Finally, I once again express my deep gratitude for the warm support of the residents who elected me as the 8th elected mayor of Dongdaemun-gu,
and I wish your families
always health and happiness.
Thank you.
July 1, 2022
Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu
Lee Pil-hyung
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
