Ryukyung-gi, Jungnang-gu Mayor, Communicates with Transportation Workers on Public Transit Topics

[Seoul District News] Ryoo Kyung-gi, Jungnang-gu Mayor, Holds Jungnang Masil at Jungnang Public Garage on 28th, Discusses Public Transportation Policies and Listens to Bus Operators' On-site Complaints... Kim Gil-sung, Jung-gu Mayor, Chairs Safety Measures Meeting for Year-end and New Year Crowd Control on 28th... Moon Heon-il, Guro-gu Mayor, Delivers First Policy Speech of 8th Term, Proposes 908.8 Billion KRW Budget for Next Year... Lee Soo-hee, Gangdong-gu Mayor, Attends Opening Ceremony of Newly Remodeled Senior Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] On the 28th, Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, held the 155th Jungnang Masil event and visited the Jungnang Public Garage to directly listen to the on-site stories of transportation workers.

Jungnang Masil is a representative communication channel of the district, designed for the mayor to approach residents comfortably as if visiting the neighborhood, allowing for open and candid conversations. It is conducted in a Q&A format while attentively listening to the voices of residents on-site.

This Jungnang Masil was held at the Jungnang Public Garage, which manages a total of 19 routes and serves as a transportation hub in eastern Seoul. The event was attended by Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, and 13 transportation workers from companies based at the garage, where they shared opinions on the district’s public transportation policies, listened to on-site difficulties, and sought solutions.

Discussions were also held on establishing infrastructure necessary for city bus operations and improving traffic around Sinnae IC. Additionally, the district took time to encourage transportation companies and workers who actively participated and cooperated with COVID-19 quarantine policies.

Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi of Jungnang-gu said, “We will frequently hold opportunities like today’s to talk with transportation industry stakeholders, maintain steady communication, and seek ways to develop the district’s transportation policies. We will continue to strive to improve the transportation environment so that residents can use it without inconvenience.”

Meanwhile, the district is expanding the installation of bus boarding platforms and heated seats at bus stops within the area to enhance the convenience of public transportation use.

Furthermore, efforts continue in COVID-19 prevention, such as placing hand sanitizers at 200 bus stops.

On the morning of the 28th, Kim Gil-sung, Mayor of Jung-gu, Seoul, chaired a safety measures meeting with related organizations in the 3rd-floor planning situation room of the district office to prepare for the year-end and New Year’s crowd gatherings.

Fifteen leaders of safety-related organizations and event officials gathered to discuss safety management around event venues expected to be crowded and established a close cooperation system for accident prevention and response.

Various event organizers in the area, including Myeongdong Tourism Special Zone, Shinsegae and Lotte Department Stores, reported their event outlines, and eight institutions including Jungbu and Namdaemun Police Stations, Jungbu Fire Station, Korea Electrical Safety Corporation, Korea Gas Safety Corporation, Seoul Metro, and Myeongdong Station collaborated.

Major events held in Jung-gu during the year-end and New Year period include the Christmas commemorative ‘Myeongdong Light Festival’ running until January 14 next year, and the ‘Light Festival’ held at Shinsegae and Lotte Department Stores until the end of January next year. Approximately 100,000 people are estimated to attend these three festivals.

At Myeongdong Cathedral, ‘Myeongdong, Lighting Up Winter’ will be held from December 24 to 25, with an expected attendance of about 2,000 for the commemorative mass and flea market. The 8th Cheonggyecheon Light Festival, hosted by K Newspaper, will run from December 16 to 31, preparing for a crowd of around 500 near Cheonggye Plaza.

Additionally, about 2,500 people are expected to gather around Namsan Palgakjeong for the New Year’s sunrise on January 1, 2023.

During the meeting, the most dangerous areas at each event venue where large crowds gather were identified, and cooperation plans among institutions were discussed. They examined pedestrian environments around Myeongdong Jungang-ro, UNESCO Road, in front of the Arts Theater, the slope in front of Myeongdong Cathedral, the Central Post Office known for its giant media facade viewing spot, the Bank of Korea annex, and the bus stop area opposite Lotte Department Store’s main branch. Based on the opinions from the meeting, detailed safety management measures will be established to ensure thorough safety management.

Jung-gu devoted full efforts in November to prevent safety accidents. To prevent safety accidents caused by crowding after the start of Christmas building exterior lighting at local department stores and the college entrance exam, joint patrols by public and private sectors were conducted daily in key areas of the Myeongdong Tourism Special Zone, and inspections were carried out at Cheonggye Plaza. During the World Cup street cheering, safety accident prevention campaigns were also conducted in the Myeongdong Tourism Special Zone due to crowd density.

Going forward, Jung-gu plans to continue monitoring the Myeongdong Tourism Special Zone crowds via CCTV control rooms. Patrols will be intensified on the 23rd and 24th, when the largest crowds are expected in Myeongdong. On January 1, safety personnel will be deployed at the Namsan bus stop and Palgakjeong area to prepare for any possible accidents.

Mayor Kim Gil-sung said, “Today’s meeting was an important occasion where institutions responsible for Jung-gu’s safety gathered in one place to reaffirm accident-prone areas and each institution’s role. We will thoroughly prepare based on the safety measures discussed today so that visitors enjoying the festivals can safely enjoy the year-end and New Year atmosphere.”

Moon Heon-il, Mayor of Guro-gu, announced on the 28th at the 314th regular session of the Guro-gu Council that he explained the direction of next year’s district administration in his policy speech and submitted a 2023 budget proposal totaling 908.8 billion won to the council.

In his policy speech, Mayor Moon outlined plans to create ▲an ‘Advanced Industrial City’ centered on the 4th Industrial Revolution linked with G-Valley ▲a ‘City of Empathy and Communication’ by expanding public infrastructure so all residents can feel an improved quality of life ▲a ‘City Good for Studying’ by expanding learning opportunities and customized education for residents ▲a ‘Safe and Healthy City’ where everyone can enjoy a safe and healthy life ▲a ‘City with Many Jobs’ by revitalizing the local economy and creating quality jobs for all residents ▲and a ‘City of Balanced Prosperity’ without conflicts between generations or social classes.

He further explained that while preparing the first budget of the 8th elected term, “We thoroughly reconsidered all budgets from scratch and intensely deliberated to formulate policies prioritizing residents and budgets that support those policies.”

According to the district, next year’s budget proposal is 908.8 billion won, an 8.7% increase from this year, consisting of 900.3 billion won in the general account and 8.5 billion won in the special account.

By sector, the budget is allocated as follows: ▲Social welfare 500.8 billion won (55.11%) ▲Environment 42.9 billion won (4.72%) ▲Land and regional development 32.8 billion won (3.61%) ▲Culture and tourism 31.7 billion won (3.49%) ▲Health 24.5 billion won (2.69%) ▲Education 24.5 billion won (2.69%) ▲Transportation and logistics 19.9 billion won (2.19%) ▲Industry, SMEs, and energy 4.3 billion won (0.48%) ▲Others 149.1 billion won (16.41%).

The item with the largest increase compared to this year is social welfare expenses for vulnerable groups, such as basic pensions, basic living allowances, and infant allowances, reflecting the district’s commitment to ensuring no resident is left behind as Guro-gu advances as a future advanced industrial city.

Additionally, the education budget increased by 14.2%, reflecting costs for constructing the Guro Creative Culture and Arts Center and the educational research building in the complex cultural town on the KBS transmission site. The land and regional development budget also increased by 57.6%, including costs for complex development of correctional facility relocation sites and construction of the Gocheok 1-dong complex office building.

Mayor Moon Heon-il said, “Next year’s budget will be the first foundation to bloom the flowers of safety and happiness for Guro residents. Amid current and future challenges, we will move forward with residents toward ‘Warm Companionship, Changing Guro.’”

Lee Soo-hee, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, visited two senior centers that have completed full remodeling on the 28th, toured the facilities, and spent time meeting with the elderly.

The newly opened ‘Dalnim Senior Center’ and ‘Seongnae 3-dong No.1 Senior Center’ had been in use for over 30 years, making facility improvements urgent. In response to requests from the elderly using the centers, the district carried out remodeling work over the past two months. Actively reflecting the seniors’ opinions, handrails and benches were installed, and furniture was custom-made and installed to improve the efficiency of the interior space, significantly enhancing user satisfaction.

Meanwhile, a total of five aging senior centers in the area are undergoing facility improvements. The ‘Saejangteo Senior Center,’ ‘Amsa 1-dong No.2 Senior Center,’ and ‘Haegong Senior Center’ have already been newly opened and are in operation.