[Interview] Seogangseok, Songpa District Mayor: "Rapid Reconstruction of Jamsil 5 Complex and Jinju, Creating a 'Premium City' through Revitalization of Songpa-daero"

Major Organizational Restructuring in October to Demonstrate Administrative Innovation · Rapid Promotion of Reconstruction and Redevelopment Based on Jamsil Reconstruction Success Know-How · ‘Songpa-daero Premium Street Development’, ‘Pungnap-dong Cultural Heritage Issue Resolution’, ‘Metropolitan Transportation Measures Implementation’

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] “Now is the most dynamic time for Songpa-gu to undergo change. The conditions have been set for the government, Seoul City, and the Songpa District Office head to share a common vision. We will create a Songpa that makes a great leap forward and develops.”

Seo Gang-seok, head of Songpa District Office, expressed confidence befitting an ‘urban administration expert’ during an interview with this publication. After passing the civil service exam, he served in key positions such as Director of Housing Planning, Director of Administration, and Director of Finance at Seoul City, working as an urban administrator for 33 years.

Above all, he named the rapid promotion of reconstruction and redevelopment as a top priority. He pledged to accelerate the process by easing regulations such as detailed safety inspections and the reconstruction excess profit recovery system. He also added that, leveraging his past experience working closely with former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, he would advance the timing of reconstruction as much as possible.

Major Organizational Restructuring in October... Demonstrating Administrative Innovation

District Chief Seo is carrying out administrative innovation through organizational restructuring suitable for ‘A Revitalized Songpa, Administration of Creativity and Innovation.’ He announced that a large-scale organizational restructuring and personnel reshuffle will be implemented in early October. The keyword for the restructuring and personnel changes is ‘efficiency.’ He explained, “At the beginning of the 8th elected term, we established the ‘Civil Affairs Administration Division’ to eliminate the need for citizens to visit various related departments and meet officials in person.” Additionally, a ‘Strategic Development Planning Team’ was newly created to address urgent development issues. This dedicated department works closely with Seoul City to promote projects such as the Jamsil MICE complex and the creation of a premium street along Songpa-daero. Seo stated, “I will unfold a differentiated administration through administrative innovation via organizational restructuring that forms the backbone of the 8th elected term Songpa administration, worthy of the title of an administrative expert.”

Seeking Fair Labor-Management Relations... Encouraging Participation for Employees and Residents

While attempting a major organizational restructuring in the 8th elected term, conflicts arose with the Songpa District Office labor union when the union was prevented from intervening in civil servant personnel matters. Seo expressed regret over the union’s claims of oppression and lack of communication. He explained, “The civil servant union must comply with the purpose of establishing labor unions under the ‘Civil Servants Labor Union Act’ and the ‘Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act.’ Personnel matters such as promotion and appointment are not subjects of labor-management negotiations under the Civil Servants Labor Union Act.” He emphasized, “All personnel matters will be conducted legally based on laws and regulations. Legitimate union activities will always be guaranteed, and we will strive to establish fair labor-management relations based on law and principles.”

Rapid Promotion Based on Delayed Maintenance Project Master Plans... Improving Residents’ Quality of Life

The government announced the ‘National Housing Stability Realization Plan,’ focusing on stabilizing housing prices and housing security while expanding supply. In line with this, Songpa-gu plans to accelerate maintenance projects based on three principles: fairness and transparency, rapid promotion, and harmony between project performance and public interest. Seo said, “We especially focus on easing regulations. It is necessary to shorten the building review procedures and the time required for promotion.” He expressed confidence, “We will work closely with proactive Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to promote projects swiftly.”

Rapid Promotion of Reconstruction and Redevelopment Based on Jamsil Reconstruction Success Know-How

Currently, Songpa-gu has a total of 31 reconstruction projects underway, including Jamsil 5th Complex, Jangmi, and Jinju Apartments. Seo said, “Having the know-how from my time as Director of Housing Planning at Seoul City, when low-rise apartments in Jamsil were reconstructed into luxury apartments like Els and Rescentz, we plan to swiftly promote reconstruction and redevelopment, which is the residents’ wish, to create the best residential environment.”

He also explained, “Above all, communication and conflict resolution with residents are most important in redevelopment and reconstruction projects.” Accordingly, in the 8th elected term, regular meetings will be held to maintain steady communication with maintenance project stakeholders, and resident briefings will be conducted to listen to difficulties. For example, in the case of Jamsil Jugong 5th Complex, where conflicts escalated recently over the union leader election, a conflict mediation meeting between the union and the emergency committee was held under the chairmanship of the district chief, and a union leader is scheduled to be elected next month.

‘Songpa-daero Premium Street,’ ‘Resolution of Pungnap-dong Cultural Heritage Issues,’ and ‘Promotion of Metropolitan Transportation Measures’

Seo plans to transform Songpa’s face, ‘Songpa-daero,’ into a Korean version of the Champs-?lys?es. He said, “Right in front is Seoul’s landmark, the 123-story Lotte Tower, but Songpa-daero, from Jamsil Station to the entrance of Seongnam, is very underdeveloped.” He explained, “By introducing design concepts and linking with Lotte World Tower and Seokchon Lake, we will attract domestic and international tourists.” He added, “We will expand commercial areas and attract leading companies to develop Songpa-daero into Korea’s representative premium street and make it a central axis of Seoul.”

He also voiced concerns about reconstruction delays caused by the discovery of ‘cultural heritage.’ Seo stated, “The ‘house sites’ found at reconstruction sites in the area do not fall under the definition of ‘cultural heritage’ under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act.” He added, “Under the pretext of protecting cultural heritage, the property rights of Pungnap-dong residents have been deprived for decades. This is a ‘cultural heritage dictatorship’ that exceeds the legislative intent and authority.” He said, “To restore the basic rights of local residents, I will mobilize all the capabilities available to the district chief, including legal measures, to take the lead in resolving cultural heritage issues during my term.”

He plans to also address local traffic issues such as the Jamsil Station intersection. Seo said, “In the past 10 years, traffic volume has increased due to the settlement of Wirye New Town, Helio City, and redevelopment in Geoye and Macheon. If Jamsil 5th Complex is also developed, traffic congestion will worsen.” He explained, “We are focusing on expanding public transportation to alleviate vehicle congestion.” He said, “The country’s first ‘Wirye Line Tram’ main construction is scheduled to start in September, and the ‘Wirye-Sinsa Line’ connecting Wirye and Sinsa Stations is targeted to begin construction in the first half of 2023.” He added, “Regarding the highly anticipated ‘Line 3 extension station installation’ and the ‘Wirye-Gwacheon Line route plan,’ we will actively consult with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Seoul City to reflect local conditions and opinions as much as possible.”

Creating a ‘Revitalized Songpa’ to Lead the Happiness of Sovereign Residents

Seo said, “Since taking office, I have been running tirelessly to create a ‘Revitalized Songpa’ through creative and innovative administration.” He reflected, “The past two months have been a time to lay the foundation for a kind, high-quality administration that values fairness and common sense and serves residents with humility.”

He said, “I was chosen with the highest number of votes nationwide in the last election. I sincerely thank the residents of Songpa-gu who supported me. At the same time, I feel a great responsibility for the residents’ expectations for Songpa’s development.” He added, “I will repay by faithfully implementing 90 campaign pledges covering housing, economy, welfare, and more, reflecting the will of the sovereign residents.” He pledged, “Public officials will be armed with a mindset of creativity and innovation to maximize residents’ satisfaction and happiness through administration.”