Lee Gijae, Yangcheon District Mayor’s First New Year Policy Speech: “We Will Devote All Efforts to Solving Long-Standing Issues”
Urging Everyone to Unite Their Will and Wisdom for New Changes and a Fresh Start in Yangcheon
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] On the 10th, Lee Gijae, Mayor of Yangcheon District, delivered his first policy speech at the 298th Yangcheon District Council temporary session, outlining new policies for change and a fresh start in 2023.
The mayor said, “I am deeply honored to speak about the direction of district administration at the first session of the Yangcheon District Council in the new year,” emphasizing, “Support for vulnerable groups facing unprecedented hardships due to record-breaking cold waves and soaring heating costs is urgently needed.”
He also stated, “2023 will be a leap year to fully implement the vision of Yangcheon as a place where everyone wants to live and can live well. We will concentrate all our capabilities on resolving the ‘long-standing issues’ that residents have long yearned for.”
The “long-standing issues” that Mayor Lee emphasized focusing on include the swift promotion of reconstruction and redevelopment projects, early expansion of public transportation, substantial support for residents affected by airport noise, and the creation of a sports park around Mokdong Retention Basin and Mokdong Stadium.
Furthermore, Mayor Lee said, “We will devote all our efforts along with about 1,400 public officials to ensure that every policy and project promised to the residents of Yangcheon is realized with visible results to improve quality of life,” and requested active support and assistance from the council members, urging everyone to unite their wisdom for new changes and a fresh start in Yangcheon.
The following is the full text of the policy speech.
Dear residents of Yangcheon,
And honorable Chairman Lee Jaesik and council members!
As we welcome the first session of the Yangcheon District Council in the new year,
I am deeply honored to speak about the direction of district administration.
First, I would like to thank the council members who passionately carry out legislative activities for the development of Yangcheon and the welfare of its residents,
and also express my gratitude to the residents who send strong support for district administration.
With the lifting of the indoor mask mandate signaling the end of the pandemic and hopes for economic recovery,
we are now facing difficult times due to high inflation and high interest rates.
In particular, support for vulnerable groups suffering more than ever from record-breaking cold waves and soaring heating costs is urgently needed.
Accordingly, Yangcheon District plans to provide temporary support totaling 415 million KRW from contingency funds to low-income groups not covered by government aid, single-parent families, elderly care facilities, daycare centers, and facilities for the disabled that require care.
Honorable council members!
2023 is a leap year to fully implement the vision of Yangcheon as a place where everyone wants to live and can live well.
Building on the foundation laid last year, we will restore the vitality of the city and focus all our capabilities on resolving the “long-standing issues” that residents have long desired.
Since taking office, we have continuously proposed to the government the “relaxation of safety inspection regulations” and “expansion of discretion in adequacy reviews for basic local governments.”
In January this year, these were announced as revised “Safety Inspection Standards,” giving new momentum to reconstruction projects that had been stalled.
In particular, “retroactive application” was made to apartments undergoing safety inspections, alleviating concerns about re-inspections and resulting in the effect of “shortening project periods.”
We will also make every effort to promptly advance redevelopment projects underway in various forms throughout Yangcheon, such as “Moatown,” station area revitalization, and public housing complex projects aimed at improving aging housing.
Conflicts may arise during the progress of these reconstruction and redevelopment projects.
We will minimize conflicts by quickly sharing information on maintenance projects and providing professional and proactive support centered on the newly formed “Urban Development Promotion Team.”
If reconstruction and redevelopment projects proceed rapidly, the reduced population of Yangcheon is expected to recover to 500,000.
Therefore, “early expansion of public transportation” to accommodate the increasing population is also an urgent task.
As part of the 4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan, the 'Daejang-Hongdae Line' has selected a negotiation partner and is scheduled to begin construction in 2025, which will open up transportation in Sinwol-dong, a public transportation desert.
The “Mokdong Light Rail Line” and “Gangbuk Transversal Line” are also very important issues for expanding public transportation.
Although there may be several obstacles during the preliminary feasibility study process, we will work closely with Seoul City and related agencies to resolve these from the perspective of “transportation welfare” for Yangcheon residents rather than economic feasibility.
We will concentrate all district administration capabilities on “substantial support” for residents affected by airport noise.
Among basic local governments affected by Gimpo Airport noise, Yangcheon is the “first” to implement “property tax reductions” starting this year to support residents’ property damage.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Lee Jaesik and council members who have worked together and provided much help in implementing this related system.
In addition, we will increase support that residents in airport noise-affected areas can actually feel and strengthen cooperation with related agencies to reduce noise.
“Support for air conditioner installation” also needs improvement.
To provide realistic compensation for actual residents such as tenants, we will convert air conditioner installation support to “cash support” to ensure that no residents suffer from aircraft noise without receiving benefits.
Furthermore, to provide effective support and compensation, we will continue to promote system improvements jointly with local governments nationwide affected by airport noise.
To create a “healthy city” where residents can enjoy a vibrant and happy life,
we will actively support everyday sports activities, starting with the “Yangcheon Marathon,” which was last held in 2015 and then suspended.
In particular, we plan to develop the long undeveloped “Mokdong Retention Basin and the aging Mokdong Stadium area” into a “sports park.”
A project commencement briefing is scheduled for the 23rd of this month.
Based on the project results, we will create a development blueprint through close consultation with Seoul City.
Also, we will manage the “Western Truck Terminal” development, scheduled to begin construction at the end of this year, to ensure smooth progress,
and establish a “sports center” equipped with a swimming pool, multipurpose gymnasium, and indoor tennis courts among the public contribution facilities provided to Yangcheon District,
making health a daily part of residents’ lives.
Dear residents and council members!
Yangcheon District is widely known as an “education special zone.”
We will spare no administrative support to further strengthen the “brand of an educational city” built so far.
There are students who cannot receive help due to difficult economic conditions and environment.
They need “self-directed learning and college admission support” to nurture and back their dreams.
Starting January 10th, the youth reading rooms in Sinwol 1-dong, Mok 4-dong, and Sinjeong 7-dong have been remodeled into “study cafes” that provide one-on-one customized information on learning, college admission, and career paths.
The Career Experience Center will also enhance support for learning and college admission, fulfilling its role as the “Yangcheon Education Support Center.”
We will organize a teaching staff capable of mentoring children and greatly expand professional support for learning, college admission, and career paths in line with current trends.
If there is much interest and support for educational projects for children’s dreams and futures,
Yangcheon’s future will be even more hopeful and bring about new changes sooner.
Dear residents of Yangcheon,
And Chairman Lee Jaesik and council members!
Since the launch of the 8th elected Yangcheon District administration last July, we have selected five major policy goals and 100 tasks.
We, including myself and about 1,400 public officials, will devote all our efforts to ensure that every policy and project promised to Yangcheon residents is realized with “visible results” to improve quality of life.
For “new changes and a fresh start in Yangcheon,”
I ask everyone to unite their will and wisdom and work together.
Thank you.
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