[Interview] Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu: "Focusing All Efforts on Urban Development Based on the '2040 Gwangjin Plan'"

This Year, Expressing Commitment to a Higher Level of Gwangjin-gu Development Through Continuous Communication, Announcing Plans for High-Density Development in Junggok Station Area, Support for Vulnerable Households, Job Support Expansion, and Creation of a Pleasant and Safe City

"Last year, we achieved valuable results thanks to the love and support of our residents, including attaining a Grade 1 rating in the public institution integrity evaluation conducted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, establishing alley communication and the Dong District Responsibility System, expanding commercial areas, and the project to support 200 households. In 2024, the Year of Gapjin, we will continue to develop Gwangjin-gu through relentless communication."

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, stated this determination for this year's district administration in an interview on the afternoon of the 16th.

First, he said he would concentrate all efforts on urban development based on the '2040 Gwangjin Plan.' Mayor Kim said, "We will create advanced residential areas in the Junggok Station area, reorganize the district unit plan around the station area to activate high-density development, and expand commercial areas." Through key projects centered on four main axes and four major zones, he aims to lead full-scale development and achieve concrete results. Regional development projects to improve residential environments, such as the rapid integrated planning of Jayang 4-dong and Moa Town, will also be steadily promoted to focus all capabilities on balanced urban development.

Along with this, he pledged to carefully watch over vulnerable neighbors to ensure no one is left behind. Mayor Kim said, "We will identify and support borderline non-beneficiary poor households and crisis families, making sure no marginalized neighbors are overlooked." He added, "We increased veterans' honor allowances and expanded senior job opportunities by about 20%. We actively responded to low birth rates by providing childbirth congratulatory money starting from the first child instead of the third. We will expand meal support and health programs to care for the physical and mental well-being of our residents."

He also expressed his intention to revitalize the local economy and expand job support. By operating a visiting one-stop support center for small business owners, issuing Gwangjin Love Gift Certificates and Ttaenggyeoyo Gift Certificates, and providing online sales education such as live commerce, they plan to support small business owners and invigorate the local economy.

Additionally, 27.2 billion KRW has been allocated for public job projects to expand opportunities for income generation and social participation, which is a 21% increase compared to 22.4 billion KRW last year. He also revealed plans to help Junggok-dong become the center of the sewing industry through the Comprehensive Sewing Industry Support Center, which opened in November last year.

He shared plans to create a pleasant and safe city. First, the garbage collection method was innovatively changed. Garbage, which was collected every other day, is now collected six days a week, resolving previous inconveniences related to waste disposal. The 'Gwangjin-style Child Protection Zone Maintenance Project,' focusing on enhancing visibility and safety, will be a new challenge for Gwangjin-gu to achieve zero traffic accidents. The operation of Gwangjin Natural Spring and Smart Shelter is expected to provide residents with a comfortable refuge during heatwaves and cold spells. Mayor Kim also announced plans to transform the district into a city of culture, arts, and community sports. Family writing contests, film festivals, and classical music walks are high-quality cultural and artistic performances that families can enjoy in daily life. The 'Youth Culture Street Festival,' targeting young people mainly around university areas, will approach with a more advanced form. Festivals reflecting the characteristics of each neighborhood, such as the Gandeotgol Festival, Gam Village Festival, and Nutti Festival, will captivate residents' eyes and ears. Lifestyle sports programs like the 'Running Crew' and 'Achasan Night Trekking,' which gained tremendous popularity last year, along with sports facilities at Achasan Reservoir and Jungnangcheon, will energize residents' daily lives.

He said that projects aimed at expanding insufficient living SOC this year will be steadily promoted. Addressing one of the district's biggest complaints, parking lots will be expanded, with plans to complete a total of 511 parking spaces across four locations, including 94 spaces at Baenamuteo Park in Junggok 3-dong this year. In addition, major living SOC projects targeted for this year, such as the Guui 2-dong Complex Building, 50 Plus East Campus, Gwangjin Global Family Center, and Gunja Health Center, will be steadily advanced. Mayor Kim Kyung-ho said, "In the new year of Gapjin, we will continue communication administration and focus our capabilities on urban development, community welfare, local economy and jobs, safety, and culture and sports."