Seungro Lee, Seongbuk-gu Mayor, "Accelerate Redevelopment and Reconstruction with Greater Speed"

Wishing you a prosperous New Year in 2024, the Year of Gapjin (甲辰). Like the vibrant Blue Dragon soaring high, I hope everyone achieves greater and broader aspirations.

Looking back on 2023, despite difficult internal and external conditions, I want to emphasize the great significance of steadily implementing people-centered and field-oriented policies and operating a trustworthy district administration.

In May, we initiated the “Thematic On-Site District Mayor’s Office,” engaging in in-depth discussions on five themes: child happiness, youth, community, welfare, and resident autonomy. In the second half of the year, we successfully operated on-site district mayor’s offices in 20 neighborhoods. Additionally, we promptly activated the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters in response to natural disasters such as typhoons, thoroughly preparing for safety management in vulnerable areas. When the entire nation was gripped by fear due to a crime by an abnormal motive, we strengthened public safety by cooperating with related organizations within the district to ensure no gaps in the protection of Seongbuk residents’ lives and safety.

Seongbuk’s efforts and achievements have also received considerable external attention. We achieved the highest grade, Excellent (SA), in the “2023 Evaluation of Pledge Implementation Plans by Elected Heads of Basic Local Governments in the 8th Local Election” organized by the Korea Manifesto Practice Headquarters. We also earned the honor of winning the “Youth-Friendly Legislative Award for Excellent Basic Local Governments” for the third time, following the Comprehensive Award in 2019 and the Communication Award in 2021, selected directly by youth. Recently, we received the 13th Local Government Productivity Award from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety for the “Gireum Youth Startup Street Development” project. This success is thanks to all Seongbuk district public officials who incorporated diverse demands from residents’ lives into district administration and fulfilled their duties with unwavering effort and passion on the front lines.

2024 marks the second year of the 8th local government of Seongbuk, a turning point and an important period to prepare for a new 100-year future with a field-centered, people-centered, and happier Seongbuk. Building on past achievements, this year will be one of reaping tangible results that residents can feel.

First, we will accelerate redevelopment and reconstruction, a long-standing wish of Seongbuk residents. Through the swift relocation and demolition of Sinwolgok 1 District and the efficient maintenance project of Jangwi New Town, we will create a city that grows evenly without regional disparities and is dignified. We will also closely monitor childcare, care, and education without blind spots so that parents and children, the elderly and children, can all be safe and happy.

The Seongbuk-dong area, rich in historical and cultural resources to the extent it is called the “Museum Without a Roof,” will be developed with abundant attractions and entertainment to become a representative cultural city of Seoul. Furthermore, to fulfill the era’s mission amid the climate crisis, we will implement new environmental policies that residents can feel and proactively establish 4th industrial revolution technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, and mobile administrative systems.

The ultimate goal of administration is the positive change in residents’ lives. In the New Year, Seongbuk will take the lead and work even harder to realize a city where today is happy and tomorrow is more hopeful.

New Year of Gapjin 2024

Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk District, Seoul Special City