Gangnam-gu Declares 'Gangnam Re-Leap Year'

New Year's Greeting Meeting for 2023 Held at COEX Auditorium on the 10th at 3 PM, Revealing Gangnam's Vision for the New Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) will hold the ‘2023 Gangnam-gu New Year's Greeting Meeting’ at 3 PM on the 10th at the COEX Auditorium with about 1,000 participants including members of the National Assembly, city and district council members, and representatives from various sectors and communities.

Resuming after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19, this New Year's Greeting Meeting consists of two parts over 70 minutes: ‘New Year's Greetings’ sharing hopes and congratulatory messages, and ‘Gangnam Vision’ announcing the re-leap of Gangnam in the 8th elected term.

The first part begins with performances by the National Gugak High School Orchestra and the Gangnam Symphony Brass Band, followed by congratulatory videos from sister cities abroad, interviews with residents sharing their New Year wishes, and congratulatory speeches by members of the National Assembly, the chairpersons of the city council and district council. The second part features a New Year's address by Mayor Jo Seong-myeong and a grand chorus of ‘To the Land of Hope’ by the Gangnam Choir.

The district plans to make 2023 the first year of re-leaping as a city where residents' happy lives and dreams are realized and that will lead the future of the Republic of Korea, promoting 60 pledge projects under five defined goals.

▲ ‘Innovative Growth City’ including the construction of the administrative and cultural complex town G-plex, timely completion of the international exchange complex district project, and support for fostering a robot-friendly city ▲ ‘Cultural Ecological City’ with cultural and sports facility construction, expansion of urban green spaces, and waterfront infrastructure development ▲ ‘Safe and Happy City’ including the Reconstruction Dream Support TF, establishment of an advanced disaster response system, and construction of public parking lots ▲ ‘Empathetic Companion City’ with increased childbirth and childcare support funds, new construction of old senior centers, support for youth and newlywed rental loan interest, and expanded care for people with developmental disabilities ▲ ‘Ultra-Close City’ including lifting the land transaction permit zone and adjusting real estate price public announcement decisions.

Mayor Jo Seong-myeong stated, “I extend New Year's greetings to the residents for the Year of the Black Rabbit and will accelerate policy implementation for the re-leap of Gangnam in the 8th elected term. Above all, this year, we will focus on creating a ‘Safe Gangnam’ and do our best to build a Gangnam that leads the future together with the residents.”

Guro-gu to Hold 2023 New Year's Greeting Meeting on the 10th

Guro-gu (Mayor Moon Heon-il) will hold the ‘2023 Guro-gu New Year's Greeting Meeting’ on the 10th at the Grand Ballroom on the 11th floor of Sindorim Technomart.

This New Year's meeting, held face-to-face for the first time in three years, will be attended by about 1,000 people from various sectors. The event will proceed in the order of welcoming guests, congratulatory performances, opening and national ceremony, introduction of guests, video screening, New Year's address, New Year's greetings, and a toast proposal.

Before the event, the Guro Municipal Children's Choir will sing hopes for the New Year, carrying the wishes of 450,000 residents.

At this New Year's Greeting Meeting, a video showing the 2023 New Year's sunrise scene in Guro will be screened. It captures the sunrise event held on the summit of Maebongsan on the 1st and residents welcoming the hopeful New Year while watching the sunrise.

Mayor Moon Heon-il will express gratitude for the support and cooperation of residents over the past year in his New Year's address and convey his determination to create a ‘Warm Companion, Changing Guro.’

During the New Year's greeting segment, local National Assembly members, Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon, Guro-gu Council Chairperson Kwak Yun-hee, city and district council members, and heads of institutions and organizations will come on stage to exchange New Year's greetings and well-wishes.

The meeting will conclude with a toast proposal by Cho Hyung-rae, a youth policy network member attending as a youth representative.

A Guro-gu official said, “We hope this New Year's Greeting Meeting held to welcome the Year of the Black Rabbit will be a place of harmony that gives residents dreams and hope and promises a bright future for Guro-gu.”

‘2023 New Year's Greeting Meeting’ to be Held at Gwanak Art Hall Performance Hall at 3 PM on the 12th, Revealing New Year’s District Administration Direction and Blueprint

Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) will hold the ‘2023 New Year's Greeting Meeting’ at 3 PM on the 12th at the Gwanak Art Hall Performance Hall to start a vigorous new year with residents.

This New Year's Greeting Meeting is an occasion to share the direction and blueprint of Gwanak-gu’s district administration in 2023, the first year after the inauguration of the 8th elected term. About 1,500 people including Mayor Park Jun-hee, members of the National Assembly, city and district council members, heads of related organizations, and residents will attend to brighten the event.

The event will feature performances by a vocal quartet delivering messages of hope, the fusion gugak band ‘Yeon,’ a congratulatory performance by singer Kim Ah-hyun who won the excellence award at the ‘Gang Gam-chan Song Festival,’ and a congratulatory song by the Gwanak-gu Women's Choir.

Especially, representatives from various sectors and residents will join the mayor on stage to prepare a ‘media performance’ through a screen showing New Year wishes coming true, making the event more meaningful.

Mayor Park Jun-hee will deliver a New Year's address and introduce the major achievements of 2022 focused on improving residents' quality of life and the 2023 district administration plan to further develop Gwanak-gu.

In 2022, Gwanak-gu achieved visible results such as designation as a venture business promotion district, opening of 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. The district also focused on securing external funding, ushering in the ‘1 trillion won budget era’ based on the settlement.

In 2023, the district plans to prioritize communication and cooperation with residents and devote all efforts to producing policy outcomes that the 500,000 residents of Gwanak-gu can clearly feel.

Mayor Park Jun-hee said, “I promise the residents through this New Year's Greeting Meeting the ambition and determination to create a ‘Together, the Best Gwanak’ where everyone is happy. I hope you join us in starting 2023, a year that will develop Gwanak further based on the major achievements of 2022.”

Seongbuk-gu Successfully Holds 2023 Year of the Black Rabbit Seongbuk-gu New Year's Greeting Meeting

Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) successfully held the ‘2023 Year of the Black Rabbit Seongbuk-gu New Year's Greeting Meeting’ on the 4th at the Seongbuk Residents' Hall Auditorium. About 1,000 people including Seongbuk residents, Seongbuk-gu officials led by Mayor Lee Seung-ro, local National Assembly members, and city and district council members attended to enjoy performances such as the New Year's concert and exchange New Year's greetings.

Before the event, Mayor Lee Seung-ro personally greeted residents attending the meeting, wishing them a healthy and happy Year of the Black Rabbit.

The main program proceeded with the mayor’s New Year's address, New Year's greetings from key guests, viewing of a 2023 wish video featuring residents from various sectors, and a New Year's concert.

In his New Year's address, Mayor Lee Seung-ro said, “In the 8th elected term, Seongbuk-gu will adopt ‘Together, Change, Growth’ as the three key principles of district administration and realize a field-centered, livelihood-centered, and together happy Seongbuk that residents can feel and empathize with. In 2023, let us listen to those in need, hold the hands of those struggling, and create a wonderful 2023 where warm spring breezes ripple through Seongbuk-gu together.”

The 2023 wish video received especially enthusiastic responses. It depicted a hopeful rabbit running around Seongbuk-gu listening to New Year wishes from environmental officers, daycare teachers, merchants, elders, and others, then returning to its place?revealed to be Mayor Lee Seung-ro himself?eliciting cheers and applause from the audience.

Warm congratulatory messages from familiar figures were also highlights. Aldesian Kasakian, mayor of Glendale, Los Angeles, Seongbuk-gu’s sister city and the first overseas city to install the Statue of Peace, sent a message of affection via video, praising Seongbuk-gu’s leadership in historical justice involving administration and local youth. Maria Teresa Dizon-Davega, the Philippine Ambassador to Korea representing 40 embassies located in Seongbuk-gu, personally visited the Seongbuk Residents' Hall Auditorium to greet residents. Actor Jeong Bo-seok, a Seongbuk resident, also conveyed New Year's greetings filled with affection for neighbors and the community.

The beautiful melodies performed by the Nutri Pops Orchestra and the Seongbuk-gu Women's Choir united everyone gathered in the auditorium.

Mayor Lee Seung-ro expressed his determination, saying, “Although we face a difficult and challenging environment entering 2023, like a rabbit that overcomes obstacles with strong hind legs, the 450,000 residents of Seongbuk-gu will leap over tough times with one heart, and I will do my best to make them proud to be Seongbuk residents.”

Jung-gu Holds 2023 District Administration Briefing, Presents New Year Vision

Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Kim Gil-seong) held a 2023 district administration briefing and shared New Year hopes with residents.

On the 4th at 2 PM, a gathering was held at the district office auditorium to proclaim Jung-gu’s vision for the Year of the Black Rabbit and exchange well-wishes. Although this is the first New Year's event in three years due to COVID-19, it was held simply considering the difficult local economy.

About 300 people including representatives of various resident groups in Jung-gu, heads of related organizations, and leaders of professional groups attended this communication and harmony event. Mayor Kim Gil-seong personally welcomed residents at the entrance and shook hands with each to deliver New Year's greetings.

The main event began with a video greeting from Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon wishing for the safety and development of Jung-gu residents, followed by New Year's greetings and encouragement exchanged among guests. Then, a video titled ‘2023 Again! Standing at the Center of Seoul!’ containing Jung-gu’s vision was screened.

Afterward, Mayor Kim Gil-seong gave a 2023 policy briefing. He shared key district administration policies and directions for the year, including ▲ planned and systematic urban development ▲ realization of a healthy and warm welfare Jung-gu ▲ enhancement of future response capabilities and educational competitiveness from children to adults ▲ revitalization of the livelihood economy ▲ communication and harmony among 120,000 residents ▲ prioritizing resident safety.

Mayor Kim Gil-seong emphasized, “I will work even harder in 2023 to restore pride in living in Jung-gu, the center of Seoul, and ask for the cooperation and support of residents.”