[New Year's Message] Yuseonghun, Geumcheon District Mayor, "A Year of Leap Forward"

A Year of Leap Forward Announcing New Development and Change in Geumcheon

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dear respected residents of Geumcheon-gu!

The new year of 2023, the Year of the Black Rabbit (Gyemyo-nyeon, 癸卯年), has dawned. Geumcheon-gu aims to create a ‘Progressing Geumcheon, a Proud Era of Geumcheon’ together with its residents, based on the principles of ‘communication,’ ‘balance,’ and ‘leap forward’ in district administration.

First, this year will be a year of communication that listens attentively to the voices of the vulnerable so that no resident is left behind. We will focus on what residents truly want, expand welfare policies unique to Geumcheon, and build a more thorough Geumcheon-style welfare safety net.

Second, we will move toward a balanced city where education, culture, nature, and urban life harmonize. We will strengthen the public education-centered support system, expand cultural facilities, and operate customized sports classes to create a healthy and happy city where residents gain vitality in their everyday lives nearby.

Third, this year will be a leap forward announcing new development and change in Geumcheon. We will focus on urban infrastructure development such as reconstruction and redevelopment, the Nanggok Line of the light rail, the extension feasibility study of the Sincheon~Sillim Line, and the expansion of Cherry Blossom Road. Additionally, we will prepare corporate support measures suitable for the 4th Industrial Revolution era to leap forward as a self-sufficient city close to workplaces, full of youth and jobs.

Dear beloved residents of Geumcheon-gu!

Geumcheon-gu will dedicate itself to communication, balance, and leap forward with wise and prompt responses, making 2023 the first year of overcoming crises. To turn crises into new opportunities, I and over 1,000 public officials will do our best together.

Wishing you a safe and hopeful new year, and may your homes be filled with health and happiness. Happy New Year. Thank you.

January 2, 2023

Geumcheon-gu Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon

Leaping Forward as an ‘Innovative Economic City’... Actively Fostering Startup Ecosystem Including Establishment of Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Center and Creation of Startup Support Fund

Dear respected and beloved residents of Gwanak-gu, the new year of 2023, the Year of the Black Rabbit (Gyemyo-nyeon), has risen vigorously. I wish happiness and good fortune to fill your homes and workplaces.

Last year, we faced many difficulties including the prolonged COVID-19 crisis, unfortunate flood damage, and the Itaewon tragedy, but united as one, we overcame these challenges and are moving toward a hopeful future with shining achievements.

Our Gwanak-gu has achieved visible results such as designation as a venture business promotion district, opening the nation’s first ‘electric mobility exclusive driving practice ground,’ opening of the Sillim Line light rail, reopening of Gwanak Art Hall, and making Byeolbitnaerincheon a famous spot. We also won 57 awards from central government ministries, Seoul city, and private organizations, including the Ministry of Employment and Labor Award for local government jobs nationwide.

Furthermore, focusing on securing external funds, we secured 894.2 billion KRW during the 7th elected term and 38.2 billion KRW in the first six months of the 8th term, opening the era of a ‘1 trillion KRW budget’ based on settlement. This was all possible thanks to the enthusiastic support and active cooperation of 500,000 Gwanak residents.

We have prioritized communication and cooperation with residents, and will continue to listen more carefully and serve better. In 2023, we will create policy outcomes that residents can clearly feel and move forward vigorously with residents toward a greater Gwanak.

We will build a stronger economy and leap forward as an ‘innovative economic city.’ We will actively foster the startup ecosystem through the establishment of the Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Center and the creation of a startup support fund, and take the lead in creating many good jobs to stabilize the livelihood of ordinary citizens. Support for small business owners and self-employed will also be strengthened to be a great help.

We will carefully manage welfare services by building a dense social safety net and space welfare projects to stand tall as the ‘nation’s best inclusive city,’ and create a strong safety city that protects residents’ lives and property to leap forward as the ‘safety-first top city.’

As a young city with the highest proportion of youth population nationwide, we will promote various youth support projects across all fields, nurture creative convergence talents, greatly expand education expenses, and develop the Gwanak Gang Gam-chan Festival into a specialized event to blossom as a ‘young and vibrant top education and culture city.’

Also, to become a ‘livable premium city’ by creating a pleasant and clean living environment, we will complete Byeolbitnaerincheon as the representative waterfront space of the southwest area and develop 24 neighborhood parks at the foot of Gwanak Mountain into specialized parks.

Dear respected and beloved 500,000 residents of Gwanak-gu! There is a saying, ‘Ban-gu-sim-ri (半九十里),’ meaning ‘a person who tries to walk 100 ri (about 40 km) considers that even at 90 ri, they have only reached about half the distance,’ emphasizing the need to do one’s best until the very end. Without losing our original intention, we will work harder to create a happier and more inclusive top Gwanak.

I hope you achieve all your wishes in the new year and have a year full of joy, and sincerely wish health and happiness to all your families. Happy New Year.

Gwanak-gu Mayor Park Jun-hee

Fully Prepared to Stand Tall as an Advanced Industrial City Leading the 4th Industrial Revolution

2023, the Year of Guro-gu’s Re-leap

Moon Heon-il, Guro-gu Mayor

The new morning of the Year of the Black Rabbit (Gyemyo-nyeon, 癸卯年) has dawned. I hope the new year’s sun brightly shines across every corner of Guro-gu and brings many good things to all.

Since the launch of the 8th elected term in July last year, Guro-gu has been running tirelessly to realize the district administration goal of ‘Warm Companionship, Changing Guro.’ I believe that this year, the first full year of district administration, these efforts will take root one by one and soon bear abundant fruit.

In 2023, we will do our best so that residents can feel big and small changes.

First, we will actively promote redevelopment and reconstruction projects to increase the city’s value. From this year, a dedicated department will be operational, and by January, we plan to complete the formation of a ‘Redevelopment and Reconstruction Promotion Team’ including private experts. Through this, we will concentrate all capabilities on swiftly advancing maintenance projects.

We will be fully prepared to stand tall as an advanced industrial city leading the 4th Industrial Revolution. Centered on G-Valley, equipped with human and material resources related to advanced technology, we will create future growth engines and spare no support for companies. In particular, we will establish a youth startup support center, youth employment academy, and southwest area university-industry R&D to nurture customized professionals and provide practical help for companies and job creation.

We will be a warm strength in residents’ lives. We will strengthen education to respond to disasters and crises and carry out administration that protects safety. We will pay special attention to vulnerable groups and expand welfare services meticulously, including postpartum care expenses, support for infertility treatment, and expansion of dementia-safe areas.

We will make 2023 the first year of Guro-gu’s re-leap.

Taking the wisdom of ‘Kyoto Samgul (狡兎三窟)’?a clever rabbit has three burrows?as a mirror, we will thoroughly prepare for the future and always be with Guro residents to jump farther and higher.

I wish all residents’ families health and happiness throughout this year. Happy New Year.

Rapidly Promoting ‘Regional Balanced Development’ and ‘Residents’ Happiness’

Kim Tae-woo, Mayor of Gangseo-gu, Seoul

Dear respected 570,000 residents of Gangseo-gu!

The hopeful new year of 2023 has dawned.

Last year was difficult in many ways, but through the launch of the new 8th elected term, Gangseo-gu started a new challenge toward the 100-year Gangseo Renaissance together with residents. We led the signing of a business agreement for the practical resolution of the Banghwa-dong landfill relocation issue, which had been unresolved for 25 years, were finally selected for the nation’s largest urban public housing complex project, opened the nation’s first joint civil service window for comprehensive real estate tax, and received external recognition for Gangseo’s passion and efforts through the busking performance boom.

The goals and directions for this year, the first practical year of the 8th elected term, are clear.

They are ‘regional balanced development’ and ‘residents’ happiness.’ While Magok has been the center of Gangseo-gu’s competitiveness, from now on, we will accelerate efforts so that the old downtown, including Hwagok, can follow.

We will be a strong support for children, the elderly, and socially vulnerable groups, and make culture and arts activation the starting point for regional economic recovery, doing our best to create a happy Gangseo for all residents.

There is no value higher than protecting residents’ safety and lives. Now, at the end of the long tunnel of COVID-19, we will do our best until the end in quarantine response so that the hard-won daily lives of residents do not collapse again.

We will also guarantee minimum safe living for disaster-vulnerable groups and devote all efforts to disaster safety response centered on field operations, including advance prevention of cold waves, heavy snow, and heavy rain.

The Year of the Black Rabbit (Gyemyo-nyeon, 癸卯年) in 2023 symbolizes wisdom and abundance.

Since ancient times, the rabbit has appeared as a symbol of clever strategy. Also, it never walks but always runs.

This year, I and over 1,700 public officials of Gangseo-gu will listen better, focus only on residents, and run diligently like a rabbit that quickly recognizes and responds to situations with diligence and sensitivity.

I ask residents to join with affectionate interest and support in the rapidly changing Gangseo and the journey toward the future.

May you always be healthy in the new year and have a year of great hope. Happy New Year. Thank you.