[Interview] Kim Mikyung, Eunpyeong District Mayor, "Focused Development of New Economy and Transportation Hub"

Kim Mikyung, Eunpyeong District Mayor, Wins Re-election by Promoting Community-Centered Projects That Resonate with Residents... "Will Expand Transportation Infrastructure, Revitalize Economy, and Increase Cultural Spaces"... Yeonsinnae GTX, Shinbundang Line Extension, New Sinsagogae Station, Eunpyeong Saegil... Expanding Transportation Infrastructure... "Creating a New Concept Economic Town at Seoul Innovation Park... Establishing Close Cooperation with Seoul City"... "Will Develop a Cultural Tourism Belt to Create a Self-Sustaining City Where Culture and Economy Thrive"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “I sincerely thank the residents of Eunpyeong-gu for choosing me as the re-elected district mayor. I will deeply reflect the wishes of the residents who desire the development of Eunpyeong and respond to your support with a strong sense of responsibility.”

Kim Mi-kyung, the re-elected mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, expressed her gratitude to the residents through an interview and shared her determination for the 8th term of the local government.

Regarding the factors behind her re-election success, Mayor Kim said, “Over the past four years, we have promoted resident-centered, practical projects that directly impact the lives of residents, such as the I-Mom Taxi service for pregnant women and infants, the resident-led resource circulation Green MoaMoa project, and the expansion of public daycare centers. I believe the residents gave positive evaluations for these efforts.” Thanks to this, the 7th term of the local government achieved a 94.8% pledge fulfillment rate and received an SA grade from Manifesto, marking a commendable performance.

When asked about the projects she will focus on most during the 8th term, Mayor Kim replied, “Along with expanding transportation infrastructure, we will revitalize the economy through regional development and increase cultural spaces.”

The opening of the GTX-A line presents a great opportunity for the Yeonsinnae area to become a key hub in the northwest region as a triple station area due to the expansion of the metropolitan transportation network. However, it also carries the risk of deepening its role as a bedroom town. Mayor Kim plans to turn this risk into an opportunity by revising the Yeonsinnae district unit plan, renovating Mulbit Park, and reorganizing underground spaces to be pedestrian-centered. The strategy is to develop the Yeonsinnae Station area into a center for business, commerce, startups, and culture, reflecting changes in the surrounding environment.

On the site near Susaek Station, a “Second Times Square” will be created, featuring convention facilities, hotels, complex shopping malls, and performance halls, which are currently lacking in Eunpyeong. The goal is to develop the Susaek Station area, recognized as a gateway to Seoul, a transportation hub where Incheon Airport and the Gyeongui Line meet, and a strategic point for northward advancement, into a platform for commerce, culture, tourism, and transportation.

Seoul Innovation Park will be developed into a landmark in the northwest region by fostering future new growth industries and establishing a regional anchor facility. Mayor Kim emphasized, “In Eunpyeong, where economic infrastructure such as large corporations and major convention centers is severely lacking, Seoul Innovation Park is the only site where large-scale commercial development is possible, and it must be developed into a new-concept economic town.”

Recently, Seoul City suddenly announced plans to build a large number of multi-generational housing complexes in Eunpyeong Innovation Park. Following concerns from many Eunpyeong residents, Seoul City promptly clarified that the existing policy direction remains unchanged. Mayor Kim stressed, “We will continue to build a close cooperative system with Seoul City and maintain ongoing communication to fulfill the wishes of the residents.”

The concept of a “New Economic and Transportation Hub” is feasible because of the various transportation infrastructure projects actively underway in Eunpyeong. Representative projects include the expansion of Yeonsinnae Station’s GTX-A line and the Shinbundang Line extension project, which was selected for a preliminary feasibility study last December. Other improvements include the establishment of Sinsa Gogae Station on the Goyang-Eunpyeong Line, early commencement of the Western Light Rail, and the creation of Eunpyeong Saegil and a bypass road on Tongil-ro to alleviate traffic congestion on Tongil-ro, thereby improving the transportation system and preparing for the unification era as the transportation center of the Korean Peninsula.

Greenbeon-dong in Eunpyeong-gu is historically known as Yangcheon-ri, the central region of the Korean Peninsula, stretching a thousand ri north to Uiju and south to Busan. The Northern Seoul Station (Susaek Station and DMC Station) has been evaluated by railway experts as the optimal geographical and spatial location as the starting point of the Eurasian Railway.

Mayor Kim said, “Eunpyeong lacks a self-sufficient industrial structure, so nurturing future growth industries is urgent. We aim to create a ‘Cultural Tourism Belt’ that infuses culture into the city, transforming it from a bedroom town into a self-sufficient city where diverse cultural content and the local economy thrive.” She added, “We will systematically manage individualized regional cultural content and establish a cultural tourism belt connecting Susaek Station area, Bulgwangcheon Stream, Seoul Innovation Park, Gijachon, and the Han Culture Special Zone to foster future cultural tourism industries.”

The Susaek Station area is planned to serve as a catalyst for domestic and international tourists entering Eunpyeong, featuring a World Culture Museum, an observatory, and a K-pop performance hall. Bulgwangcheon Stream, which has rapidly become a cherry blossom hotspot, will host a media center and various cultural and artistic festivals. Near Bulgwangcheon Stream, Bongsan is being developed with a cypress forest and barrier-free forest trails.

At the heart of Eunpyeong-gu lies the New Economic and Cultural Cluster Innovation Park, imbued with cultural vibrancy. To the north is Jingwan-dong, famous for its Hanok Village and traditional temples. Additionally, the National Korean Literature Museum is scheduled for completion in 2024, and an arts village will open in 2026. These excellent cultural contents will combine to complete the “Eunpyeong Cultural Tourism Belt.”

Mayor Kim stated, “The core strategy of Eunpyeong as a new economic and transportation hub is to organically promote transportation infrastructure expansion, economic revitalization measures, and cultural space expansion policies to achieve synergy effects.”

In addition, numerous development and maintenance projects and resident-centered initiatives are underway, including the Redevelopment and Reconstruction Rapid Support Center, Eunpyeong Public Garage Complex Development, Metropolitan Resource Circulation Center construction, I-Mom Taxi, Green MoaMoa project, future-oriented library construction, Career and Academic Information Center opening, pet dog playground creation project, and riverside leisure activity space development, all aimed at enriching residents’ lives.

Kim Mi-kyung, mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, expressed her special affection for Eunpyeong, saying, “Eunpyeong is where I spent my childhood and grew as a politician, and it is also where I will continue to live. After retirement, I want to be a proud mayor who receives praise from every resident I meet on the street.” She added, “I am confident that in 10 years, Eunpyeong will be as developed as Gangnam. To enhance the value of Eunpyeong and the quality of life of its residents, we will continue to advance boldly toward becoming a new economic and transportation hub.”