[New Year's Address] Kim Gilseong, Jung-gu Mayor, "Relaxation of Namsan Height Restrictions"

Kim Gil-seong, Mayor of Jung-gu

We Will Align with the Government and Seoul City to Ease Regulations Such as Namsan Height Restrictions

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Najong-il] Hello, residents of Jung-gu, this is District Mayor Kim Gilsung.

I wish you good health in the new year and hope that peace and joy fill every household.

In 2023, Jung-gu is preparing changes that will transform the lives of its residents.

First, we will restore pride in living in Jung-gu, the face of Korea and the heart of Seoul. We will fill the old and dangerous downtown with 'livable homes' and create a Jung-gu where work, rest, and culture are integrated, making it a desirable place to live.

To this end, we will transform the role of the district office. We will run 'visiting residents’ briefings' to transparently share development information wherever called, and the district office will assist in shortening redevelopment periods and reducing costs. We will also coordinate with the government and Seoul City to ease regulations such as the Namsan height restrictions.

Second, we will build a happy Jung-gu for all through solid welfare.

We will strengthen welfare for the elderly and establish a robust childcare system for the children, the future of Jung-gu. Vulnerable groups such as the disabled and elderly living alone will also receive thorough support.

Third, with education policies looking 100 years ahead, we will enhance children’s competitiveness in a rapidly changing society. We will improve the quality of school facilities and educational programs and provide diverse experiences such as financial economy classes linked with banks and securities firms.

Fourth, we will breathe new life into the economy of every alley. The district office will support traditional markets, alleyway businesses, and urban industries to quickly adapt to environmental changes through facility improvements, marketing, and capacity building.

Fifth, we will create all these together by communicating with residents.

We will establish communication channels such as the district mayor’s text phone and hold cultural and sports events where all residents can gather and enjoy, laying the foundation for harmony. With a professional conflict management system, we will build a truly livable Jung-gu where neighbors live together in harmony.

The Year of the Black Rabbit is said to be a year when the crouched rabbit leaps farther.

This year, Jung-gu also aims to shed its shrunken old downtown image and make a fresh leap forward. We will work every day with new determination and passion so that Jung-gu feels better to live in today than yesterday. We ask for your interest and support. Dear residents, Happy New Year.

Kim Gilsung, Mayor of Jung-gu, Seoul Special City

Mobilizing All Capabilities to Create a Safe, Pleasant, and Transparent Dongdaemun-gu

Happy New Year of the Black Rabbit!

Dear 350,000 residents of Dongdaemun-gu,

The hopeful Year of the Black Rabbit (Gye-myo-nyeon) has dawned.

Last year, we endured a very difficult and exhausting year due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession. Although this winter is said to be cold, in fact, it felt like winter all year long as both body and mind were frozen solid.

However, I have no doubt that our residents, who have wisely overcome crises in difficult times, will navigate the current situation well. I warmly comfort and encourage the 350,000 residents of Dongdaemun-gu who have done their best every day for a brighter hope.

With the vision of ‘Dongdaemun-gu Opening Happiness,’ six months have already passed since the launch of the 8th elected administration. The past six months have been a valuable time to handle many pending issues for the new changes in Dongdaemun and to prepare ways for our district to become a new central city of Seoul. At the start of the 8th administration, all Dongdaemun-gu employees, including myself, will wholeheartedly listen to residents’ voices and reflect them in district administration to mobilize all capabilities to create a safe, pleasant, and transparent Dongdaemun-gu.

In 2023, the Year of the Black Rabbit, I pray that it will be a hopeful year as the sun shines brightly through the darkness. I hope that all the hardships and difficulties remain in the past year and that only the hopeful energy of the new year fills your hearts.

Happy New Year of the Black Rabbit.

January 1, 2023

Lee Pilhyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu

Seongheon Lee, Mayor of Seodaemun District

We Will Do Our Best to Reduce Difficulties in People’s Lives and Achieve Regional Economic Recovery

Dear residents of Seodaemun-gu! The hopeful Year of the Black Rabbit (Gye-myo-nyeon) 2023 has arrived, carrying the wishes of 300,000 residents. Happy New Year to all of you.

In 2023, Seodaemun-gu will continue the vision of 100% Happiness Seodaemun-gu. To achieve tangible changes, we will focus on strengthening regional competitiveness, ensuring residents’ safe daily lives, and rapid growth by district as we operate the district administration in the new year.

First, we will do our best to reduce difficulties in people’s lives and achieve regional economic recovery.

Following last year’s lifting of the car-free street on Yonsei-ro, general vehicle traffic will resume this year. We will discover and promote various collaborative projects to help the Sinchon commercial district regain self-sustainability and take off again.

We will also implement policies to stimulate actual consumption and protect alleyway businesses to revive the local economy.

We will provide in-depth support focused on reemployment for middle-aged and older adults facing employment insecurity so they can plan their second life, and create customized jobs so vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled can participate confidently as members of society.

Second, we will warmly embrace vulnerable groups with a customized life-care welfare system and build a more solid social safety net.

In particular, we will spare no effort to identify and support welfare blind spots to prevent tragic incidents like the Sinchon mother-daughter case from happening again.

We will reorganize the weakened community leader system to check on and ensure the safety of socially vulnerable groups such as single-person households, disabled, and elderly.

We will create a child-friendly environment by opening a public postpartum care center, newly providing parental benefits (infant allowance), and building comprehensive childcare facilities in the Hongje and Hongeun districts.

We will establish a dedicated safety department and fundamentally reorganize the current safety management system to prepare for various types of accidents and disasters.

Third, we will induce regional growth through rapid development and focus on improving outdated infrastructure and urban environment.

We are continuing close consultations with Seoul City, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and related agencies to build complex urban infrastructure such as the northwest Seoul landmark and the new Daehak-ro through undergrounding the Gyeongui Line railway.

We will accelerate regional development with tailored support for private redevelopment under rapid integrated planning and various redevelopment and reconstruction projects.

We will also safely proceed with the Bukahyeon overpass, which has found a solution after eight years and is scheduled to begin construction in March next year, aiming for swift completion.

We will improve residents’ quality of life by adding dog walking paths and rest areas, Ansan clay trail, Seodaemun Eumgil specialized forest, and additional waterfront spaces along Hongjecheon and Bulgwangcheon streams.

Finally, we will realize reliable administrative services directly linked to residents’ happiness.

This year, Seodaemun-gu will carry out a large-scale organizational restructuring to efficiently concentrate administrative capabilities and continue the construction of new community centers in the aging Sinchon-dong and Bukgajwa 2-dong.

We will also continue various on-site communication efforts and strengthen online district administration promotion, including the official Kakao Channel Talk started last year.

We ask all residents to show great interest and support for Seodaemun-gu in the new year. May you all achieve your wishes and have happiness and health in your homes. Happy New Year. Thank you.

January 2, 2023

Lee Seongheon, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu

Standing by Residents, Listening to Their Words, We Will Create a Changing and Developing Songpa

Dear residents of Songpa-gu!

The Year of the Black Rabbit, Gye-myo-nyeon, has dawned.

Since ancient times, the rabbit has symbolized agility, intelligence, abundance, and prosperity.

In the new year of Gye-myo-nyeon, I pray that the good energy of the black rabbit fills Songpa-gu and every household.

With the hopeful energy of the new year, Songpa-gu will

build the vision of the 8th elected administration: ‘A premium city serving residents as owners.’

We will prioritize policies that meet the changing times and residents’ needs throughout the district administration.

With ‘Songpa Running Again, Creative and Innovative Administration,’ we will complete ▲a convenient city ▲a prosperous city ▲a safe city ▲an inclusive city ▲a cultural and sports city ▲and a city of educational advancement.

We will always stand by residents, listen to their words, and create a Songpa that changes and develops.

Wishing you good health and that all your wishes come true.

Happy New Year 2023.

Thank you.

Mayor of Songpa-gu