[Exclusive] Seoul City Urban Planning Committee Increases District Mayor Seats by 2... Kim Kyung-ho of Gwangjin and Lee Ki-jae of Yangcheon Join

Seoul City Increases Seoul City Planning Committee Members from Former District Mayors from 1 to 2...Interpreted as Seoul's Move to Amplify Field Voices in Urban Planning Policy Decisions

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin District, and Lee Ki-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon District, have joined the Seoul Metropolitan Government Urban Planning Committee.

This represents a doubling compared to the previous arrangement where only one district mayor from Seoul was part of the Urban Planning Committee, thereby enhancing the status of Seoul district mayors under the 8th local government administration.

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin District

The Seoul Association of District Mayors (Chairman Lee Seong-heon, Mayor of Seodaemun District) requested the Seoul Metropolitan Government during the first meeting of the 8th local government term to increase the number of district mayors participating in the Seoul Urban Planning Committee from one to two.

Accordingly, Mayor Oh Se-hoon made the decision that it is necessary for district mayors, who are most familiar with the field, to participate and express their opinions in Seoul’s urban planning decisions, granting the honor of joining the committee to Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin District, and Lee Ki-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon District.

These two district mayors now have the opportunity to participate in decision-making by serving on the Seoul Urban Planning Committee during their terms.

A senior Seoul city official stated on the morning of the 13th, "Following the request from the Seoul Association of District Mayors, two district mayors have recently been able to join."

In particular, Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin District, has laid the groundwork to address local issues such as developing the commercial specialized area around the northern part of Yeongdong-daero and upgrading zoning around Junggok Station to revitalize the underdeveloped Gwangjin District.

Kim Kyung-ho, who passed the civil service exam, previously served as Director of Seoul’s Welfare Policy Office, Director of the Urban Transportation Office, and even as Secretary-General (Grade 1) of the Seoul Metropolitan Council. Having been elected as Mayor of Gwangjin District in the 8th local government term, he shows great enthusiasm for regional development.

Lee Ki-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon District, is also expected to play a significant role in promoting reconstruction projects around the Mok-dong area.

Lee Gijae, Yangcheon District Mayor (center), is speaking at the Mayors' Council.

When the terms of these two district mayors on the Seoul Urban Planning Committee end, two other district mayors will join.

Meanwhile, the Seoul Urban Planning Committee consists of 30 members with a two-year term. However, it is known that the term for Seoul district mayors can be determined according to the association’s decision.