[Interview] Lee Seung-ro, Seongbuk District Mayor: "Ensuring Smooth Progress for Seongbuk Development in the 8th Elected Term"

Multiple Redevelopment and Reorganization Projects Underway in Seongbuk-gu Expected to Increase Population by 60,000-70,000; A Major Opportunity for Seongbuk's Development, Prioritizing Smooth and Swift Progress... Prioritize Early Completion of Wolgok Downward Ramp on Internal Circulation Road, Dongbuk Line Light Rail Construction, Prompt Completion of Seongbuk Historical and Cultural Park, Seongbuk Modern Literature Museum, and New Complex Community Center for Aging Dong Residents

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] “If the 7th elected administration was the final stage of preparing a roadmap for Seongbuk’s future, the 8th elected administration can be said to be the period to push forward and realize it with a sense of speed.”

Seongbuk District Mayor Lee Seung-ro expressed his thoughts on leading the 8th elected administration anew, saying, “Based on the field administrative experience accumulated through communication with residents over the past four years, I will work hard to resolve local long-standing projects and livelihood issues in the 8th administration to realize the promised ‘Together Happy Seongbuk’ for the residents.”

Over the past four years, Mayor Lee earned the nickname “Field Mayor” by operating a ‘Field Mayor’s Office’ to directly meet tens of thousands of residents at the site of livelihood issues, listening to the voices of the community, and addressing them, thus having the largest mayor’s office in terms of area.

Currently, Seongbuk-gu has many redevelopment and reconstruction projects underway, and it is predicted that the population will increase by 60,000 to 70,000 once completed. He stated that this is a great opportunity for Seongbuk’s development, so to ensure smooth progress and rapid promotion, he will accurately grasp local issues and swiftly resolve problems on the ground.

Mayor Lee said, “The 8th elected administration is a period to push forward and realize these projects with speed,” adding, “We will prioritize the early completion of the Inner Circular Road Wolgok downward ramp and the Dongbuk Line light rail construction, and do our best to promptly complete the creation of Seongbuk History and Culture Park, the construction of the Seongbuk Modern and Contemporary Literature Museum, and the new complex community center for the aging neighborhood community centers.”

Furthermore, he conveyed that he will work harder for the happy lives of Seongbuk residents with goals such as enhancing the city’s dignity through the expansion of living infrastructure, creating a city with rest where people can enjoy nature and culture nearby, realizing a welfare community where all generations and various types of households are happy, and fostering a livelihood economy where universities and the region advance together. To this end, he will continuously discover and promote life-oriented policies that Seongbuk residents can feel, creating a livable and comfortable city, a safe and happy daily life, and an everyday city of Seongbuk.

Regarding the recent formation of the Rapid Promotion Team for Redevelopment and Reconstruction, Mayor Lee stated, “Seongbuk-gu currently has the largest number of redevelopment and reconstruction projects underway nationwide. To meet residents’ aspirations and respond more efficiently to real estate policies, we established the Rapid Promotion Team for Redevelopment and Reconstruction, a pledge project of the 8th elected administration.” The Rapid Promotion Team is led by the Deputy Mayor, with the Director of the Urban Management Bureau as deputy leader, and includes all departments playing key roles in the urban development roadmap as well as the dedicated redevelopment department. Additionally, members of the National Assembly participate as advisors, concentrating expertise and know-how related to redevelopment and reconstruction projects.

He said that about 100 redevelopment projects, including public redevelopment, rapid integrated planning, and Moa Town, currently underway or planned throughout Seongbuk-gu, as well as the Jangwi 11 and 13 districts facing difficulties due to the lifting of redevelopment zones, will be promoted rapidly and successfully completed by gathering residents’ opinions and providing active support, striving to leap forward as a prestigious city representing Seoul.

Regarding life-oriented policy projects that residents can feel in their daily lives, he said he will promote the installation of LED floor pedestrian signals in all school zones in the area. Seongbuk-gu is approaching the safety of students’ commuting routes as an important issue due to the increase in the number of students caused by completed or ongoing redevelopment and reconstruction projects such as Gireum New Town and Jangwi New Town. Therefore, LED floor signals will be installed at crosswalks on major commuting routes to enhance the visibility of traffic signals, creating a safe walking environment for children and residents alike.

Also, a community center for single-person households will be established to revitalize local communities in response to the rapid increase in single-person households. Single-person households are concentrated mainly in university areas such as Samseon-dong, Dongseon-dong, and Anam-dong. Seongbuk-gu established a comprehensive support plan for single-person households during the 7th elected administration and has been implementing projects such as home cooking and smart plug support. Furthermore, a community center will be created to enhance the emotional stability and social relationships of single-person households, aiming to improve their quality of life.

Along with this, the support target for the Child and Youth Companion Card will be expanded. Mayor Lee said, “Seongbuk-gu received the nation’s first UNICEF Child-Friendly City certification in 2013 through efforts to help children and youth grow as subjects of life, and this year also obtained the second-level advanced certification nationwide for the first time. Going forward, we will further expand opportunities for children and youth to equally enjoy culture and arts and strengthen their initiative and autonomy.”