Seoul City Greenery Department 'Legend' Choi Kwang-bin, Former Nowon-gu Healing City Director, Starts Anew

Former Seoul Blue City Bureau Chief Twice, After Retiring as Nowon-gu Deputy Mayor, Worked 5 Years as Healing City Bureau Chief, Retired, Opened Office, Preparing Book on Seoul Park Development Behind-the-Scenes

Kwangbin Choi, Former Director of Healing City Bureau, Nowon District

Choi Kwang-bin, former director of the Green City Bureau of Seoul who served twice, is embarking on a new beginning.

After passing the 1980 administrative technical exam (green space division), Director Choi dedicated himself to the creation of Seoul’s representative parks, including Yeouido Park (during Mayor Jo Soon’s term), World Cup Park and Seonyudo Park (Mayor Ko Gun), Seoul Forest (Mayor Lee Myung-bak), Buk Seoul Dream Forest (Mayor Oh Se-hoon), as well as the development of the Gyeongchun and Gyeongui forest trails, before retiring from public service and starting a new path.

During the 4th term of Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Director Choi served as the head of the Green City Bureau and was later appointed deputy mayor of Nowon-gu, significantly contributing to the development of parks in Nowon-gu.

He also served again as director of the Seoul Green City Bureau during Mayor Park Won-soon’s administration, making him a living witness to the history of Seoul’s Green City Bureau. Because of this, Director Choi is regarded as a ‘legend’ among Seoul’s green space public officials.

Even after retiring from public office, Director Choi took on the role of transition committee chairman for Nowon-gu Mayor Oh Seung-rok after his election in the 7th term, returning to work on Nowon-gu affairs. He then served as a contract public official for five years as director of the Healing City Bureau before retiring last month.

During this period, he was credited with contributing to the transformation of Nowon-gu into a healing city by promoting projects such as the Bulamsan and Suraksan Healing Towns, Baegun Valley development, and park regeneration projects.

Former Director Choi stated, “I have opened a small office near my home and am preparing to publish a book containing behind-the-scenes stories related to park development and other work I did during my public service.”

As a living witness to the creation of Seoul’s parks, Director Choi is expected to compile the history of Seoul’s landscaping, drawing attention.

With many juniors following him, including Yoo Young-bong, director of Seoul’s Green City and Leisure Bureau, former Director Choi is expected to continue advising and working without rest in the future.